Bring on the Oysters and Wine! It’s Upstream’s Fourth Annual Oyster Bash!

Photo courtesy of Steve Seitz, Harper’s Restaurant Group

Upstream’s annual Oyster Bash is Saturday, September 22 at 6:00pm . The event is $95 per person, and offers half-shell connoisseurs a chance to enjoy 10 unique varieties of cold water oysters from around the country, with a variety of paired wines and champagnes. Some of the wines to be featured include: Rafael Palacios ”Sebrego,” La Marca Prosecco, Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc and Mondavi Fume Blanc.

During the event, a panel of three Charlotte wine aficionados will select their choice for best oyster/wine pairing of the evening. Oyster Bash guests will also be asked to select their favorite pairing, and a winner will be announced after the results from both the judges and guests have been tallied. One lucky guest will be the winner of a $100 gift card from Harper’s Restaurant Group.

Upstream will donate a portion of the proceeds to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, a hunger relief organization which provides food, programs and nutrition information to individuals at risk in our community.

Photo courtesy of “Local Eats” web site

The featured oysters  include:

KOMOGWAY – Baynes Sound, British Columbia, Canada

The KomoGway Oysters are firm fleshed with a refreshing briny taste and vibrantly colored mantel. They also offer a subtle note of cucumber and slightly sweet finish.

MALAGASH – Nova Scotia, Canada

These medium standard oysters are grown in the Malagash Basin on the north shore of Nova Scotia.  They have a mild, salty flavor with a slightly smoky, mineral finish.

RAPPAHANNOCK – Virginia, USA

Rappahannock’s have a deep cup, sweet, buttery, full bodied taste, with a crisp clean finish.

FANNY BAY – British Columbia, Canada

Fanny Bay Oysters are plump and offer an immediate sweet citrus flavor followed by a slightly metallic after taste. The aroma is often compared to watermelon.

CONNECTICUT BLUEPOINT – Long Island Sound, CT, USA

Blue Point Oysters have satiny, almost liquid meats with a high brininess and very mild flavor.

ROYAL MIYAGI – British Columbia, Canada

Royal Miyagi Oysters have smooth textured meats with a mild brininess and kiwi-like finish.

KUMAMOTO – Washington, USA

Kumamoto’s are deep-cupped with petite meats, a mild brininess, sweet flavor and a honeydew finish.

OLD SALTE – Virginia, USA

From “Black Narrows” of the Chincoteague Bay, Olde Salts have bold seaside brininess with a smooth clean follow through.

FIRE LAKE – New Brunswick, Canada

Fire Lake Oysters have a medium salinity which yields to a bright, clean finish.

HARKERS ISLAND – Beaufort, NC, USA

A local favorite—these oysters have smooth shells, with a medium salinity oyster

Reservations for Upstream’s Fourth Annual Oyster Bash are required and must be secured with a credit card. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy in effect. To make a reservation, call Upstream at 704.556.7730.

Upstream is located in Charlotte’s Southpark area at 6902 Phillips Place, at the Phillips Place shopping area. Hours of operations: Mon-Thurs 11:30am -10:00pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm; Sunday 10:30am-10pm; Sunday Brunch 10:30am-2:30pm. Visit online at www.upstreamseafood.com.