It’s hard to beat spending a week (or long off-season weekend) in a luxury house of Isle of Palms, whatever the season. In fact, you could argue that January just might be the best time to be in a luxury house on Isle of Palms, especially if you are a fan of one particular kind of food.
One of the things that makes travelling special, is sampling the cuisine and culinary customs unique to the area you’re visiting.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. And when in the Lowcountry - you should definitely go to an oyster roast!
It's oyster roast time near your luxury house on Isle of Palms!
The oysters around Charleston and its islands grow in clusters, and according to bivalve aficionados, they have a distinctly delicious flavor. It’s as if you are experiencing the sea with each bite.
As the saying goes, any month with an “r” in it is a good time to eat oysters. So although January may be considered off-season for certain things - like, for instance, SC vacation rentals, be they our Isle of Palms vacation rentals or a Folly Beach house Charleston - January is prime time to eat oysters.
Check out a truly mega oyster roast near your luxury house on Isle of Palms
Fittingly, the world’s largest oyster festival is coming up at the end of this month, so it’s a perfect time to go ahead and book a luxury house on Isle of Palms as a home base for the fun.
World's largest oyster festival near your luxury house on Isle of Palms!
It’s the 34th annual Lowcountry Oyster Roast, and it’s happening Sunday, January 29th from 10:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. It’s ranked as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast, according to the Southeastern Tourism Society. It’ll take place on the grounds of historic and scenic Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant - convenient to all our rental homes South Carolina, especially our IOP beach rentals Charleston. If you’re in a luxury house on Isle of Palms, just cross over the IOP Connector, turn right onto Highway 17 North, and following the signs to Boone Hall.
The festival will boast approximately 80,000 pounds of fresh oysters, steamed to perfection. You’re encouraged to bring your own personal oyster knife and gloves, although they will be available for purchase.
Here’s a link to the official website, which includes a way to buy tickets online: http://www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com/lowcountry-oyster-festival/
General admission tickets are $17.50 advance or $25 at the gate (food and beverages pay as you go). There are also VIP tickets and perks available; check the website for all the details.
There will be lots of great live music and entertainment as well as the always-popular “Oyster Shucking” and “Oyster Eating” contests. Also you'll find a large food court with options for the non-oyster lovers in your luxury house on Isle of Palms, as well as all kinds of beverage options like wine and beer, both domestic (some local) and imported. There is a large and very creative (fun and educational) kids’ area.
This is a very popular annual event, and they are expecting about 10,000 folks, so plan accordingly. You are welcome to bring chairs and blankets, though tents and coolers are not allowed. Kids 10 and under are free with a paying adult. It goes on rain or shine.
Great causes that will benefit, while you feed the folks in your luxury house on Isle of Palms...
And in more good news, the festival is an important fundraiser for several great causes. They include the Ronald McDonald House to help sick children and their families, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and the Charleston County School District. You can read more about them here: http://www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com/about/charities-the-cra-supports/
Like I said, one of our Isle of Palms luxury rentals makes a great home base for a visit to the festival, so call ASAP if you’re interested in booking. You’ll also benefit from low off-season rates on all our beach house rentals Charleston SC.
If you can’t make it to the festival, or if you just want to eat more of those delectable mollusks, you can buy them fresh and easily prepare your own in your Charleston beach house. Here’s a simple yet elegant recipe from one of Charleston’s favorite chefs, nationally known Frank Lee of Slightly North of Broad fame (who, by the way, lives right here on the Isle of Palms). It really highlights the natural goodness of the oysters and lets their flavor shine through. The basic recipe/preparation also works for just about any local seafood you might buy, as well.
Here's a cool recipe to make yourself in your luxury house on Isle of Palms...
Fresh Shucked Oysters on the Half Shell with a Fine Herb Butter Broiled on Top
Compound Butter:
1 lb. softened unsalted butter
½ cup minced chives
1 cup minced parsley
1 cup minced shallots
½ cup minced tarragon
Zest and juice of two lemons
Mix herbs and lemon with softened butter. Roll into logs in wax paper and refrigerate or freeze.
To prepare, top good quality shucked oysters on the half shell with a generous amount of herb butter. Broil or bake at high heat until butter melts and oysters crinkle.
NOTE: Compound butter is a delicious topping on most any fresh fish or shellfish, especially when broiled.
Bon appétit!
If you feel like heading to eat out at Slightly North of Broad and let someone else do the cooking for the folks in your Charleston beach house, here’s a link to their website: http://snobcharleston.com/
So happy shucking, and remember to call EP for the best in luxury beach house rentals SC.
All best,
Lowcountry Lisa
your Isle of Palms vacation blogger