Oysters & Bubbly

Tis true the economy is downtrodden of late, but pampering oneself even in lean times is essential to fortify the spirit. There’s nothing more luxurious than oysters and champagne, and with a little research, this posh duo can be surprisingly affordable, so you won’t even have to hock your Bentley to pay for them. For some much needed decadence on the half shell, head to these Portland eateries.

Andina

andinabarAndina’s glossy copper-topped bar is not just an altar to the almighty mojito, it’s also an excellent place to park yourself after work and enjoy some stellar oyster specials–$1.25 oysters and $5.50 cocktails from 4-6pm. Bubbly is $7-$8 by the glass, $32-$325 (um, that’s the Cristal) by the bottle.

Dan & Louis Oyster Bar

danandlouiesDan & Louis has been around since 1907, so they know a thing or two about oysters. Their menu reads like the Who’s Who of Pacific Northwest oysters—Fanny Bay, Kumamoto, Sinku, Totten, Olympia, Hammersley, Yaquina Bay, and more. The wine list is filled with local wines chosen for their oyster compatibility, and Monday – Friday from 4 – 6 pm in the Old Shucking Room bar, you can get a dozen oysters on the half shell for $12.95, and Cajun Pan Fried Yaquina Oysters for $2.95.

  • Location: 208 SW Ankeny St. Portland Map it!
  • Phone Number: 503.227.5906
  • Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–9pm, Fri/Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 12pm–9pm

Davis Street Tavern

davisstreetextThis classy Old Town eatery is breathing new culinary life into the neighborhood with its inventive regional and seasonally-influenced cuisine. Try the oysters on the half shell with cucumber, pickled shallot, and smoked Steelhead trout roe. $10 for a half dozen during lunch and dinner, but only $1 each during happy hour, along with $5 glasses of my favorite cava, Segura Viudas.

  • Location: 500 NW Davis St. Portland Map it!
  • Phone Number: 503.505.5050
  • Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-Midnight, Fri 11:30am-1am, Sat 4pm-1am, Closed Sunday

EaT: An Oyster Bar

eatoystersSlurp Oregon, Washington, and East Coast oysters on the half shell with just the barest of accoutrements (a few lemon wedges), whilst sipping cava at a table on the patio at this relaxed New Orleans-style North Portland oyster bar. Local oysters are $7 a half dozen, $13 a dozen, and more high-end varietes can be had for $10/half dozen and $19/dozen. Mix and match the oyster social classes for $9/half dozen and $17/dozen.

  • Location: 3808 N. Williams Ave. Portland Map it!
  • Phone Number: 503.281.1222
  • Hours: Sun, Mon & Wed 11:30am–10 pm; Thu, Fri & Sat 11:30am–Midnight

Higgins

higginsextVenerable downtown dining hotspot Higgins serves up a half dozen Pacific oysters on the half shell with carrot-habanero granité for $16.50, whether you’re dining white-tablecloth style in the dining room or relaxing in the cozy adjoining pub. A glass of bubbly will set you back nearly as much as your glistening bivalves, with a flute of Argyle Brut going for $13 and the Nicholas Feuillate for $14 a glass.

  • Location: 1239 SW Broadway, Portland Map it!
  • Phone Number: 503.222.9070
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am – 12am, Sat 4pm – 12am, Sun 4pm –12am

Metrovino

metrovinooystersAt this elegant new Pearl District wine shop and bistro, a happy hour trio of oysters are served in Chinese soup spoons with cucumber mignonette, ponzu wasabi and horseradish cocktail for a mere $3. A glass of the house sparkly is $5 during happy hour, as is the Metro Spritz, a concotion of aperol, sparkling wine, and orange. During dinner the oyster trio is $6, and bubbles are $9- $30 per glass, or $4.5-$15 per 2-ounce taste.

  • Location: 1139 NW 11th Ave. Portland Map it!
  • Phone Number: 503.517.7778
  • Hours: Dinner Mon-Sat 5:30–10pm; Happy hour Mon-Fri 4–6pm

Southpark Bar and Grill

southparkoystersWhen you’re alone and life is making you lonely, take Petula Clark’s advice and go downtown…to cheery Southpark Bar and Grill, where you can plop down with a friend at a bistro table in the charming little European-style bar and share a platter of icy-cold Pacific Oysters with a refreshing cucumber ver jus granita (half dozen $12). Hopefully your kind boss will help and understand you–and let you skip out of work in time to take advantage of Southpark’s 3-6pm happy hour menu, where you can enjoy a half dozen oysters for just $8, and a glass of the house sparkly for $4. With happy hour specials like that, you can forget all your troubles and cares in no time, just like Petula told you.

  • Location: 901 SW Salmon St. Portland *; Map it!
  • Phone Number: 503.326.1300
  • Hours: Lunch Sun-Sat 11:30am-3pm; Dinner Sun–Thu 5–10 pm, Fri/Sat 5–11 pm * Wine Bar Open Daily 3pm–midnight * Happy Hour Daily 3–6pm

Zupan’s

zupansoystersWhat about those nights when you’re craving freshly shucked briny bivalves but haven’t the energy to frequent your favorite oyster bar or bistro? Head to your neighborhood Zupan’s, they have an excellent selection of oysters on ice in the seafood department, quite reasonably priced at $13.95/dozen. But the real kicker is that if you ask politely, they will shuck the oysters for you, gently replace the top shell to protect the precious innards, place them on a portable bed of crushed ice, and wrap them firmly for the trip home. All you have to do is grab a few lemons and some fresh horseradish for grating, and of course, a bottle of bubbly from Zupan’s wine department, which you can chill in their quick cooler while your oysters are being shucked. Now that’s service.

  • Location: 3301 SE Belmont St. Portland * 2340 W. Burnside, Portland * 7221 SW Macadam, Portland Map it!
  • Phone Number: Belmont 503.239.3720 * Burnside 503.497.1088 * Macadam 503.244.5666
  • Hours: Belmont 6am-10pm * Burnside 6am-10pm * Macadam 7am-10pm