Cool weather means one very good thing in South Carolina: oyster season. And oyster season means standing around a long table with gritty wet hands, levering open hot, steaming shells with a pointed knife. It means dipping those warm oysters in cocktail sauce or butter or Tabasco or nothing at all and gulping them down. It means, in short, one of the greatest food traditions of the American South.

I would have expected the largest oyster festival in the state to be in Charleston or elsewhere in the Lowcountry, but no: it’s here in Columbia.
The 14th annual South Carolina Oyster Festival is this Sunday, Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The sprawling festival will take place on the grounds of the historic Robert Mills House at 1616 Blanding Street and the Hampton-Preston Mansion right across the street. The setting is appropriate, as this year’s proceeds will benefit the Historic Columbia Foundation.

Festivalgoers are expected to consume over 5,000 pounds of oysters, steamed, fried and otherwise. That’s about 100 bushels, a somewhat less impressive-sounding number, but actually enough oysters for hundreds of people.

Besides oysters, there will be other foods, as well as soda, beer and wine. Bands will play — Danielle Howle, the Blue Dogs, Tom Hall & the Plowboys and more. Kids are welcome. Lawn chairs are encouraged.
 
If you’re planning to eat some steamed oysters, bring your own oyster knife and gloves. If you’re not equipped with such specialty gear, you can buy them at the festival.  

Admission is $5 in advance and $10 the day of the festival. Visit scoyster.com for more information and etix.com to buy a ticket.


More New and Revamped Restaurants

Anecdotal evidence is all I have, but anecdotal evidence suggests things are up looking up slightly for local restaurant owners. There seems to be a lot of news these past few weeks that restaurants are expanding, opening and making big plans of one sort or another.

Ristorante Divino, for example, has built a new private dining room. Perched above the existing Vista restaurant, the new Loft at Divino’s is for parties of up to 50 people.

The room has, according to press materials, “the look and feel of an upscale New York City special event location” with Vista-standard features like hardwood floors and exposed brick. 

The main reason to visit Fulvio Valsecchi’s restaurant, either upstairs or downstairs, is the classic Italian food and classy service. Call 799-4550 or visit ristorantedivino.com for information or reservations.

Another fairly new local restaurant is @116 State Espresso & Wine Bar, which opened in August on State Street in West Columbia.

Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late happy hour every day but Monday, the place is also competing with nearby Café Strudel for Sunday brunch business. And with beer, wine and a White Russian menu, it’s also a good choice for a drink after work.


Lunch Hours for Solstice

Starting Tuesday, Nov. 17, Solstice will open for lunch four days a week. 

The lunch menu will change weekly, just like the dinner menu, to include a variety of semi-upscale seasonal fare. Among the dishes planned for Solstice’s first week of lunches: a fried oyster club sandwich, seared salmon with fresh herb coulis and horseradish-basil cream and Italian herb-grilled shrimp and polenta with smoked chile marinara.

Also exciting: $5 featured wines by the glass.

Lunch hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.   


Let us know what you think: Email food@free-times.com.