I realize not everyone loves oysters, but I do. So did Anthony Bourdain.

“What is an oyster if not the perfect food? It requires no preparation or cooking. Cooking would be an affront. It provides its own sauce. It’s a living thing until seconds before disappearing down your throat, so you know – or should know – that it’s fresh. It appears on your plate as God created it: raw, unadorned. A squeeze of lemon, or maybe a little mignonette sauce (red wine vinegar, cracked black pepper, some finely chopped shallot), about as much of an insult as you might care to tender against this magnificent creature.

It is food at its most primeval and glorious, untouched by time or man. A living thing, eaten for sustenance and pleasure, the same way our knuckle-dragging forefathers ate them. And they have, for me anyway, the added mystical attraction of all that sense memory – the significance of being the first food to change my life. I blame my first oyster for everything I did after: my decision to become a chef, my thrill-seeking, all my hideous screwups in pursuit of pleasure. I blame it all on that oyster. In a nice way, of course.”

― Anthony Bourdain, A Cook’s Tour: Global Adventures in Extreme Cuisines

Below are some of the most delicious oysters I have found in and around Southern California.

Oysters with a Spicy Twist

Tac/Quila in Palm Springs is known for their elevated tacos, and they are good. But my favorite item on the menu is the Agua Chile Oysters. Picture icy cold oysters topped with shrimp and cucumber marinated in lime juice and sprinkled with chiltepin and red bell pepper. Instead of the usual cocktail sauce and horseradish, a deep, spicy dipping sauce is provided. Just a dab adds a real kick! Delicioso!

Amazing Mignonettes

The restaurants below not only serve mouthwatering oysters, the accompanying mignonettes are amazing!

• Camden Cellars – The presentation at Camden Cellars in Indio, California, is artistic and utilizes frozen black stones and purple rock salt to enhance the oysters. While the oysters are served with cocktail sauce and horseradish, it is the champagne mignonette that elevates the dish. Their chef makes it in-house using Prosecco. My advice is to ditch the cocktail sauce and layer on the mignonette!
• Eight4Nine – For simple yet beautiful oysters, Eight4Nine in Palm Springs, California, is a great choice. Drizzled with lemon oil, they come with a mignonette consisting of champagne, yuzu and strawberry. Combined, they are a burst of tantalizing flavor in your mouth.
• Fish Gaucho – The oyster selection at Fish Gaucho in Paso Robles, California, changes daily and is always fresh. You can eat them solo, but you would be amiss if you did not pour on a bit of the apple-cucumber mignonette. A touch of sweet mixed with heat, it is terrific.

Local Oysters in Morro Bay

When in Morro Bay, make sure to order some oysters. They are local, fresh and tasty. While I experienced so many fantastic oysters on my trip to Morro Bay, two establishments stood out.

• The Galley Seafood Grill and Bar – Celebrated for their “naked” fish, the Galley Seafood Grill and Bar serves a variety of oysters including those right from Morro Bay. The presentation is simple and clean. Served raw or Rockefeller style, these are some memorable oysters.
• Tognazzini’s Dockside Too – Located adjacent to the T-pier is Tognazzini’s Dockside Too, a little outdoor hole-in-the-wall serving delectable oysters. Order as many as you want. While the raw ones are awesome, it is the BBQ oysters that I couldn’t get enough of. Dripping in garlic butter sauce, they are more than delicious.

Oysters With a Japanese Flair

Being a sushi aficionado, if I can combine oysters with sushi, I am in heaven. The two eateries below do just that.

• Mitch’s on El Paseo – Serving some of the best seafood in the valley, Mitch’s on El Paseo in Palm Desert offers one of my most loved oyster dishes. Called Honeymoon Oysters, it consists of four Pacific oysters topped with sea urchin, tobiko, salmon caviar and lemon ponzu sauce. Don’t add another thing as this combo is perfection. Not into uni? Raw oysters on the half shell are also on the menu.
• Okura Robata Grill and Sushi Bar – There’s no better place to go for Japanese-style oysters than a sushi bar, and Okura Robata Grill and Sushi Bar is one of the best. Their giant oysters are topped with tobiko and citrusy ponzu sauce for a whole lot of deliciousness. Squeeze just a bit of lemon for the perfect bite.

Beachy Goodness

On your next trip to Santa Barbara, make sure to order a half dozen oysters from the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. It is almost magical to be tossing back their crisp and briny oysters while taking in spectacular views of the ocean. If you’re not feeling too hungry, try a freshly shucked oyster shot with house-made Michelada. I know I can’t have just one though!

While these are a few of my favorites, I am sure there are many more oysters out there to try. What are your recommendations for the tastiest oysters? Let me know in the comment section below.