Alexandria Restaurants Join Oyster Weekend To Help Chesapeake Bay

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Two restaurants in Alexandria will participate in National Oyster Weekend, an initiative to offer oyster specials while cleaning the Chesapeake Bay.

During National Oyster Weekend from Friday through Sunday, businesses will collect used oyster shells, and workers will replant them in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. These recycled reefs attract new oysters, which help clean the bay's waters.

The Oyster Recovery Partnership, an Annapolis-based nonprofit, is leading this effort. Since the nonprofit's founding in 1994, it has planted more than 9 billion oysters on 3,000 acres of reef.

The organization also leads the Shell Recycling Alliance. This group of 200 restaurants and 70 drop sites in the mid-Atlantic collects 36,000 bushels of oyster shells each year. It is the largest shell recycling network in the nation, a press release said.

"We are thrilled to host National Oyster Weekend this August to promote the importanceof oyster shell recycling, and encourage the community to indulge in some of the best seafoodin our country," said Paul Schurick, the organization's director of partnerships. "By dining in one of the restaurants supporting the Shell Recycling Alliance, you're helping to restore the Chesapeake Bay, one shuck at a time."

On Old Town Alexandria's waterfront, Blackwall Hitch will offer buy six oysters, get three oysters free, and buy 12 oysters get six free specials. In Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood Whiskey & Oyster will have $1.75 oysters all day Friday.

Other participating restaurants in National Oyster Weekend are:

Passion Fish – Reston, VA

• Buttermilk Fried Oysters with Mirliton Slaw & Creole Beurre Blanc

The Salt Line – Ballston, VA

• Friday Afternoon Happy-Hour, local oysters are half off from 12-4PM

Dauphine's – Washington, DC

• Friday Afternoon Happy-Hour, local oysters are half off from 12-4PM

King Street Oyster Bar – Leesburg, Middleburg, Washington, DC, and Potomac, Maryland

• Special to be announced

The Salt Line – Washington, DC

• Friday Afternoon Happy-Hour, local oysters are half off from 12-4PM

The Walrus Oyster and Ale House – National Harbor

• $1.50 Wild Oysters

Blackwall Hitch – Annapolis, MD

• Buy 6 Oysters, Get 3 Oysters Free; Buy 12 get 6 free

Blackwall Barn & Lodge – Gambrills, MD

• Buy 6 Oysters, get 3 Free; Buy 12 Oysters get 6 Free

Boatyard Bar & Grill – Annapolis, MD

• $1 buck a shuck Fatty Patty's on 8/7
• Chesapeake Watermen's Shuck & Duck A delicious gumbo of rich duck confit, freshly shucked local oysters and smoky hot Italian sausage slowly simmered with a delicious array of local peppers, onions & tomatoes plus a touch of gumbo filé.

Brian Boru Irish Pub – Severna Park, MD

• Special to be announced

Buddy's Crabs & Ribs – Annapolis, MD

• On the 1/2 shell $1.50
• Oyster Rockefeller $2.25
• Oyster Chesapeake $3

Conrad's Crabs & Seafood Market – Parkville, MD | Bel Air, MD

• $1 Oysters

Donnelly's Dockside – Arnold, MD

• Buy 1 dozen oysters on the 1/2 shell get 1/2 dozen free – dine in only

The Eleanor Silver Spring – Silver Spring, MD

• 1/2 doz oysters for $10 everyday during happy hour & $1 oysters all day on Wednesdays

Faidley's Seafood – Baltimore, MD

• Buy 3 Maryland Prime Oysters get one free, Tillman Island Large Fried Oysters 5 for $10

Federal House Bar & Grille – Annapolis, MD

• Buffalo Fried Oysters on the Half Shell with Blue Cheese Drizzle + Additional Specials Released day of

Galway Bay Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar – Annapolis, MD

• Special to be announced

Gertrude's Chesapeake Kitchen – Baltimore, MD

• $2 off off 1/2 dozen oysters

Gunther & Co. – Baltimore, MD

• Oysters on the half shell Friday, Saturday & Sunday
• Wood Oven Roasted Oysters: Thai Chili Butter. Red Curry Paste. Lemongrass. Makrut Lime Leaf. Citrus Zest. Scallion
• Cornmeal Crusted Fried Oysters: Green Mojo Sauce. Pickled Green Tomato Relish
• Fried Oyster Tacos: Cornmeal Crusted Goose Point Oysters. Sweet & Sour Slaw. Pickled Tomatoes. Green Goddess Dressing

Guinness Open Gate Brewery – Halethorpe, MD

• Composed Oyster Duo: Chesapeake Gold, Cucumber & Fresno Chili, Borage, Finger lime, Gin-mignonette and Sweet Jesus, Melon & St. Germain dressing, Elderflower, Tapioca Pearls, Aleppo Chili Eastern Shore Oyster Stew: Wild Caught Oysters, Potato, Onion, Celery, Milk, Old Bay, Chive

Harry Browne's Restaurant – Annapolis, MD

• Special to be announced

Iamps at Jennings Cafe – Catonsville, MD

• Oyster Po Boy for $13.99 and purchase a dozen Oysters get 1/2 price Draft Beer

Killarney House Irish Restaurant & Pub – Davidsonville, MD

• Special to be announced

Lib's Grill – Perry Hall | Maple Lawn, MD

• $1 Oysters from Delaware bay and $2 Oysters from PEI
• Lib's will donate $0.25 per oyster to ORP! Happy Hour Pricing All Day from Aug. 5th-7th

Local Oyster – Baltimore, MD

• All Oyster Shooters Buy One Get One Free

Mama's on the Half Shell – Baltimore, MD

• 3 Oysters served with 3 different Mignonettes – cucumber lime – Sesame ginger – mango chili

O'Donnell's Market – Potomac, MD

• $1 Select Oysters

McGarvey's Saloon & Oyster Bar – Annapolis, MD

• $1 Oysters

Mogan's Oyster House – Salisbury, MD

• $10 for 1/2 dozen Honest Oysters and a pint of Guinness Blonde

Mother Shuckers P.N.B Seafood – Baltimore, MD

• 15% off all catered events

Mt. Washington Tavern – Baltimore, MD

• Special extended oyster menu all weekend long featuring 3 raw, 3 shooters and 3 grilled all with local beer, wine & spirit pairings

Phillips Seafood – Baltimore, MD

• Click here for Special Oyster Menu

Pirates Cove Restaurant & Dock Bar – Galesville, MD

• MD's own 38 North Oysters from the Western Shore
• Fried Oysters-plump juicy oysters, house cocktail sauce
• Oysters Ponzu- oysters on the half shell garnished with fresh seaweed salad & Ponzu sauceOur regular menu items with oysters are: – Oysters Rockefeller- 1/2 doz local oysters broiled with bacon, spinach, feta and Parmesan Cheeses – Oysters on the half shell-1/2 doz local oysters, lemon, house cocktail sauce, crackers

RockSalt Grille – Westminster, MD

• Buck-a-Shuck oysters

Ryleigh's Oyster – Timonium, MD

• $1 Avery's Pearls Oysters from 11am-6pm – 3 for $7 chargrilled oysters – $6 Guinness Pints

Smashing Grapes Kitchen & Wine Bar – Annapolis, MD

• Buy 6 Oysters, Get 3 Oysters Free; Buy 12, get 6 free

The Walrus Oyster and Ale House – Multiple Locations

• $1.50 Wild Oysters

True Chesapeake Oyster Co. – Baltimore, MD

• All Oyster Shooters Buy One Get One Free

The Urban Oyster – Baltimore, MD

• Ice Aprons oysters with 3 flavor options of chargrilled oysters