We got a call on the radio about a week ago from a woman looking for restaurant specials in November. I hope she gets this newsletter because Jefferson Parish wants you to come eat in 15 of their restaurants offering special prices Wednesday and Thursday. The Oyster Trail cuts a wide swath across the parish, on both sides of the river.
Restaurants like Andrea’s and Vincent’s are part of an eclectic group serving oysters but also other local specialties for reduced prices. The Red Maple on the West Bank you don’t hear much about, but they will participate along with sister restaurant Deanie’s in Bucktown. Little-known outside of Harahan, Kelley’s Village is also part of the Oyster Trail. And some excellent but lower-profile places like the Galley Seafood on Metairie Road and Cafe 615 da Wabbit on the West Bank. Gattuso’s, Perino’s Boiling Pot, Short Stop Po-Boys (definitely get some of their dirty rice/jambalaya too). The Trail dips way down to include Restaurant des Families in Lafitte, and lists some long-established institutions like Don’s Seafood, and Acme. Riccobono’s Peppermill is here too, and of course that temple to oysterdom, Drago’s.
Special menus offer 2-3 course lunches for $7-$35 and 3 course dinners for $18-$39.
This program has been around since 2012 to show that the BP spill didn’t destroy our oysters, but it’s ironic that this year the oyster harvest is still recovering from its nearly 80% devastation with the spillway opening a few months back. Though it will take 3-5 years to fully recover, there has been a lot of improvement in the last two weeks, and oysters will be plentiful for these two days of special menus.
Louisiana Oyster Trail
November 13th and 14th
Throughout Jefferson Parish
