Oyster Day: are oysters really an aphrodisiac? (plus a few great oyster spots)
Oysters, oh boy, are you a fan too? And did you know that today is officially Oyster Day? Yep, oysters have their own day these days too. We can of course have all kinds of opinions about that, but it remains a fact. Whether you love them or not, oysters are credited with quite a few supposedly aphrodisiac properties. But does eating oysters actually turn you on or not?
Casanova apparently ate the shells for breakfast; he certainly had a lot to (keep) up. Still, oysters don’t seem to boost your libido quite as much as people sometimes think. So how did this story come about? Oysters contain zinc, zinc promotes the production of testosterone, and testosterone boosts sex drive in both women and men. In addition, some amino acids were once found in the shell that could also have the effect of… But the quantities per oyster are so small that you’d have to slurp down swimming pools full of oysters to feel any real effect.
Between the shell and in your head
If you think you’ve ever become a little more aroused from eating oysters: that’s possible. It’s probably mainly the association you have between oysters and sex, or the slurping, that causes the excitement. At these spots, cracking open oysters is especially delicious. What happens afterwards is up to you.
Oesterij
Eating oysters at Oesterij in Yerseke is exactly how it should be. First, take a tour of the oyster beds, then sit down for a tasting of the oysters—and since it’s the season, pick up a kilo of mussels from the shop to take home. Slurp Away!
Bar Rouge
In the heart of Amsterdam you’ll find the sultry Bar Rouge. This intimate, Paris-inspired restaurant transforms in the late hours into a club where night owls dance and enjoy surprising (burlesque) shows. The menu is Asian-inspired, and here you eat oysters with ponzu-soy dressing and a deliciously fresh mango salsa. A perfect start to those steamy nuits Parisiennes!
Restaurant Van de Leur
Do you enjoy being surprised? Then you’re guaranteed to be in the right place at this hotspot in The Hague. They serve a menu of up to 10 courses, all prepared on the Big Green Egg. That includes the oysters, which will be available for one week from today in honour of Oyster Day. They’re briefly grilled and then served with a raspberry-ginger purée, trout roe and Ghoa Cress. Exciting!
VESSEL KITCHEN & BAR
Here, you crack open your oysters pure, simple and without any fuss. Au naturel or with a few drops of lemon juice. Take a seat on the sunny terrace at VESSEL BAY (the spot also known as the new living room of Amsterdam’s Houthavens), open a bottle of white wine and order this delicacy by the piece or to share. Have a picnic or boat trip planned? You can also order oysters on the go. You’ll receive a basket containing 12 Oosterschelde Creuses prepared with a classic dressing of lemon and shallot vinegar, plus an oyster knife to open them.
Oesteria
As a starter, with drinks or simply all day long; oysters are always a good idea. Luckily, the people at Oesteria feel the same way. They claim to serve the best oysters in Rotterdam—and who are we to disagree? Owner Mickey Fentross focuses entirely on this delicacy at his oyster bar, where you can—how could it be any other way—order a lovely glass of bubbles or a good glass of white wine. The oysters on the menu come from different parts of the world, including Zeeland, France and Ireland. The bar, with its large terrace, is located by the water in Rotterdam’s Oude Haven, making it the ultimate place for a day of shamelessly slurping oysters. Tip: be sure to order an Oyster shot with a Ketel One Bloody Mary. Mmm!
ChouChou
ChouChou, on the Scheveningen Pier, naturally couldn’t be left off this list. Combine your day at the beach with a visit to this spot, where you can enjoy a delicious and varied set-price menu in the evening. You can eat indoors—where every corner of the restaurant is Instagram-worthy—or outside on the cosy terrace with a beautiful view of the sea and the iconic Ferris wheel. Staying hydrated is no challenge at ChouChou, as the menu is packed with refreshing cocktails and champagnes that pair perfectly with the oysters, exactly how I like to eat them: classic, with a little vinaigrette.
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