By Maria Allen
Oyster season has arrived on the South Shore and nowhere is it more joyfully celebrated than at The Raw Bar at Island Creek Oyster Farm in Duxbury. On a crisp fall Friday afternoon, trays of freshly shucked oysters and golden IPAs set the stage for a dining experience that is equal parts seafood feast and community gathering.
Boasting a laid-back atmosphere and a spectacular waterfront setting, the restaurant attracts a diverse clientele, from families with young children to stylish couples on date nights and groups of twenty-somethings who gather around picnic tables to toast the start of the weekend. Inside, the upstairs dining area glows warm against the twilight, offering a cozy perch with views of Duxbury Bay.
The Menu
There’s a lot more than just oysters on the half shell on the menu. Guests can graze on sushi rolls, fish tacos, soft pretzels, and shrimp cocktail dusted with furikake (a dry Japanese seasoning that adds to the umami flavor). There’s also a variety of caviar on the menu, which can be served with chips and chives or even sprinkled atop a hotdog. Then there’s the tinned seafood–a newer ICO passion project that further sets the restaurant apart. Guests can dip into a tin of Island Creek’s Littleneck Clams with Confit Garlic, Chili, and Olive Oil, which delivers tender, briny flavor with just the right kick of heat. The clams are sourced from Cherrystone Aqua-Farms in Virginia and hand-packed at Island Creek’s boutique cannery in New Bedford.
Straight From The Source
Part of the magic of enjoying a meal at Island Creek Oyster Bar (or its nearby sister restaurant The Winsor House at Island Creek) is knowing that the oysters on the menu–Island Creeks (Duxbury) Aunt Dottys (Duxbury) and Crowes Pasture (Dennis)--are all grown in local waters. It’s a testament to Island Creek’s belief that aquaculture is not only vital to New England’s heritage, but also the sustainability of the global food system. By working closely with local shellfish farmers and fishermen, Island Creek is helping to keep the region’s seafood traditions alive.
To learn more about Island Creek’s
oyster farm, restaurants, or cannery,
visit islandcreekoysters.com
Fall Fashions
For Alfresco Dining
Left to Right
On Will: POLO Ralph Lauren Sullivan jeans, RRL waffle knit shirt, Criquet corduroy shirt.
On Amanda: KUT From The Kloth jeans in cinnamon, POLO Ralph Lauren green waffle shirt, POLO Ralph Lauren corduroy bucket hat.
On Pete: Barbour corduroy pants, Criquet yellow shirt, Barbour wax vest.
On Gabriela: ZSupply Angel Eyes Midi Dress and Felix Sweater.
All from LOUIE 94 Pleasant St., South Weymouth
Shop Local
Find these fashions and more at LOUIE, a store that is known for their curated selection of fine clothing for men and women. The South Weymouth clothing store is owned by longtime Hingham residents Gina and William LaRossa and is located adjacent to LaRossa Shoe, a business that has operated continuously in the Boston area for more than 100 years. Inside the store, shoppers can peruse high quality brands from around the world, from sportswear and outerwear to footwear. A second men’s shop, LOUIE for Him, recently opened in downtown Hingham inside Henry’s Shoe Repair. Visit their flagship store at 94 Pleasant St., South Weymouth, or stop in LOUIE for Him at 104 North St., Hingham. louiestyle.com or larossashoerepair.com.
Photography by Derrick Zellmann
Fall Fashions: LOUIE | 94 Pleasant St., South Weymouth louiestyle.com
Models: Will Cournan, Pete Chisholm, Amanda Jaequir, Gabriela Shorten
Special guest: Willie Nelson Mandela (Island Creek farm dog)