On Oysters and Pirates

By Geek Goddess on February 7, 2013 • ( 1 )

One advantage of living near the Gulf Coast is the abundance of fresh seafood. I’d be satisfied eating nothing but fish, shrimp, crab, and scallops for the rest of my life, so I’m fortunate. Fine seafood restaurants are plentiful, and the markets carry a selection of items that can’t be found fresh in much of the U.S. I especially like finding small places that aren’t widely known but that have a great selection and good atmosphere.

Good food and atmosphere

A new favorite is the Blue Water Oyster Bar and Grill. There are a few locations in the Houston area, but the only one I’ve been to is found in a non-description strip on the northern edge of Houston proper. When you pull up, you know you’ve found a place run by people who love seafood.

The inside is warm wood, TV screens on the walls (usually turned to sports – I watched part of the Olympics here last year), bric-a-brac, and a large bar on one side. But that’s not the cool bit. This is the cool bit: they have not one but TWO mascots! Not only are you welcomed by Bruce Junior (Jaws trivia),

Cue the cello music

you are also greeted by a saucy life-sized pirate wench! Arrggg!

hello there, Wench!

It’s oyster season, but I had a hankering for fried shrimp today, so I chose off the weekday lunch menu. Grilled selections are also great, and I’ve been told the po-boy sandwiches and gumbo are good choices. This, and a cold beer or glass of wine, and you’ve got a great casual meal. I accepted the standard side of fries, although I never eat more than a couple bites, but salads and coleslaw are available as well. And rice, of course.

The menu includes a nice variety of grilled or fried

Too much food: lovely shrimp!

I like lingering over my meal, talking to friends or enjoying a book with a second glass of wine. It’s a friendly, cozy place. A covered patio is available when the weather is fine, but as it overlooks a busy street and the rest of the strip mall, I don’t understand the attraction. But you know the priorities are right when they have three kinds of hot sauce on every table.

These people understand

After having your seafood fix, maybe watching the game with your buddies and a brew, you can wander across the parking lot and make fun of people spending money on psychics.