Even half way through our recent visit to the London Aquarium, we were both agreed – we were both getting hungry for seafood (is that wrong? Possibly, but that’s the way it was). Mid afternoon, with a dinner planned for later, what should we do? J Sheekey Oyster Bar is the perfect answer and is just a short walk from the South Bank where there's little by way of special places to eat it seems. It’s also worth noting that the J Sheekey Oyster Bar stays open all afternoon and serves up great food even when the restaurant has finished its lunch service.
Furthermore, the menu is perfect for that food snacking thing and adheres to a recurring theme of the blog: good food simply cooked (or sometimes not cooked at all). The simplicity means the flavour of the sea comes through as it should. Perfect for this hot afternoon.
Today, we started with a couple of oysters and a glass of Prosecco which provided just the freshness needed after walking the hot streets of London. The oysters were divine with lemon or Tabasco and they set the scene for something to follow.
Furthermore, the menu is perfect for that food snacking thing and adheres to a recurring theme of the blog: good food simply cooked (or sometimes not cooked at all). The simplicity means the flavour of the sea comes through as it should. Perfect for this hot afternoon.
Today, we started with a couple of oysters and a glass of Prosecco which provided just the freshness needed after walking the hot streets of London. The oysters were divine with lemon or Tabasco and they set the scene for something to follow.
On this occasion, we both chose the Whole Devon Cock Crab though in the crab area we could also have gone for dressed crab or Dorset crab with crushed broad beans. Prawns? Plenty: Dublin Bay, Atlantic, Grilled Tiger and potted shrimp. Also on the menu was steamed mussels, mixed shellfish, razor clam persillade, lobster, scallops, fish pies and the day’s special of sea bream fillet. There’s other stuff too but you get the picture. It’s seafood and it’s simple and it’s very very tasty.
The Whole Crab was a magnificent creature weighing around a kilo each and taking a leisurely hour or so to break down with a huge yield from the claws, top of legs and the oh so tasty brown meat from the body spread on some bread with a squeeze of lemon. Washed down with a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, this was afternoon seafood snack heaven and sitting at the bar – for there are few tables which we also like – with decent air conditioning – essential on a day like today – it just seemed like this is the way that every afternoon should be.
Mrs CC prefers the Oyster Bar to the restaurant though I think each has a time and place. But who cares for the conclusion for both of us was nevertheless the same, this couldn’t be better if we were quayside itself watching the catch hauled in. We also agreed that we need to go there more often. We can pay no restaurant a higher compliment than our desire to return again and again (and again); at J Sheekey Oyster bar, that’s exactly what we want. Put another way, bunk work, make time and go mid afternoon when you’re the only punter in the house and enjoy the best of the sea. Five stars.
The Whole Crab was a magnificent creature weighing around a kilo each and taking a leisurely hour or so to break down with a huge yield from the claws, top of legs and the oh so tasty brown meat from the body spread on some bread with a squeeze of lemon. Washed down with a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc, this was afternoon seafood snack heaven and sitting at the bar – for there are few tables which we also like – with decent air conditioning – essential on a day like today – it just seemed like this is the way that every afternoon should be.
Mrs CC prefers the Oyster Bar to the restaurant though I think each has a time and place. But who cares for the conclusion for both of us was nevertheless the same, this couldn’t be better if we were quayside itself watching the catch hauled in. We also agreed that we need to go there more often. We can pay no restaurant a higher compliment than our desire to return again and again (and again); at J Sheekey Oyster bar, that’s exactly what we want. Put another way, bunk work, make time and go mid afternoon when you’re the only punter in the house and enjoy the best of the sea. Five stars.