greatdining

GREAT OYSTERS - so
many choices but here are
some of our favorites.

1. MORAN'S OYSTER
COTTAGE, just south of Galway,
Ireland -look for the tiny sign
and follow the narrow road to
the white washed, thatched
roofed cottage overlooking the
river Weare. Enjoy the deep shell
oysters - served perfectly chilled
with fresh baked brown bread,
sweet butter and a tall dark
Guinness. Order the oysters by
the dozen - they'll keep count of
the plates.

2. The icy cold oyster plateau de
mer served at LA DOME, Paris.
The selection is great - many
varieties - from Spain,
Normandy, and the
Mediterranean. Order a nice
Sancerre to wash them down.

3. If you are on Nantucket, make
friends with Spanky. Get his
work schedule and somehow
flatter your way into an evening
party where Spanky performs hi
raw bar. It is hard to keep up
with his fast hands - opened
oysters and cherrystones
appear every two seconds. Just
a little freshly squeezed lemon
and a big pail to toss the shells.

4. Place yourself smartly at the
HARRODS' SEAFOOD HALL
oyster counter and dig in - a
choice selection opened right in
front of you. Warm crusty bread,
sweet butter to clear your palate
is offered.. Lift the shell to get
every briny drop. Nice wines
available by the glass.

5. On a Roman side street near
the Pantheon is the highly rated
seafood restaurant - LA
ROSETTA. Owner and charmer,
Massimo Riccioli will tempt you
with platters of the freshest and
sweetest oysters in great
variety. Beware ordering the
local lobster - my indulgence
cost me $100 !

6. Abbicci Restaurant in
Yarmouthport serves an oyster
appetizer that is especially
delicious. They are prepared
with a fennel beurre blanc sauce
and garnished with a sprinkle of
caviar. Yum yum,




		GREAT FOOD EXPERIENCES - SINGLE COURSES 1. The roasted suckling pig at Il DRAPO - a Sardinian restaurant located in the heart of ancient Rome. Order it extra crisp with a good Sardinian red wine. 2. The shaved Parma ham appetizer at HARRY'S BAR, Venice. An endless layered pile - like silk handkerchiefs. Heap it on buttered crusty bread - with a simple green salad it is a dinner. 3. The crispy Socca (chick pea flour) paper thin pancakes served fresh and hot in the Cours Saleya market area - ask for Tina and watch her do her magic. 4. The delicious green pasta served at LA MIRANDE Restaurant in Nice. No reservations, but worth the wait - their delicious pastas will get you through any hangover. 5. The frozen Nougat - a whipping of egg whites, sugar, nuts, and candied fruit served in the Conservatory at LES CRAYERES, Rheims, France. Definitely Diane's favorite dessert! 6. The baked foie gras at TAILLEVENT, Paris. Baked in a covered cast iron casserole and served at your table sliced thinly. 7. The Irish coffee perfected in the GEORGIAN BAR, Merrion Hotel, Dublin, Ireland. Memorable. 8. The wood-fired oven pizzas served sizzling at AL FORNO, Providence, Rhode Island. A slightly chilled bottle of Chanteduc makes it complete. 9. Don McKeag's recently re-opened CRANE BROOK RESTAURANT AND TEA ROOM in Carver, Mass. has a new chef - Mark Swierkowski. His sauteed sweetbreads with a ginger/mango reduction are truly remarkable as also the jumbo lump crab cake appetizer. Both are superb! Make sure to call ahead for the special order sweetbreads. 10. The Pistachio Soufflé served in the beautiful stone- walled dining room of L'Ousteau de Beaumaniere at Les Baux is a remarkably irresistible confection. Served individually, the steaming, shimmering pale green tower breaks open with a rush of a sweetened pistachio fragrance.