Rodneys Oysters: Our 2020 New Years Eve Treat

However you chose to spend the last night of this annus horribilis, whether in sweats or bedazzled, sober or otherwise, there’s something to be said for settling in for New Years Eve where it’s warm and cozy. The other silver lining? Receiving a special delivery from Rodneys Oyster House with a bottle of champagne from my brother and sister-in-law. As Canada's first oyster house, Rodneys specializes in a wide variety of raw oysters on the half shell, live shellfish, chowders, fresh fish and since Covid, offers pickup and deliveries of their delectable briny bivalves, including their special New Years Eve Oyster & Champagne box which included twelve unshucked oysters, an oyster knife, a half-bottle of bubbly and a live oyster shucking lesson. Being oyster aficionados, my husband and I skipped the lesson, chilled the champagne and proceeded to shuck the dozen oysters: 4 Sunseeker Xs from Baynes Sound B.C. and 8 Fortune Bay from Souris PEI. With the fireplace aglow and the champagne poured, we slurped back the twelve sensational oysters and bid a resolute good riddance to 2020. 

Classic Mignonette Sauce
Makes 1/4 cup

Recipe courtesy of Bon Appétit 

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tbsp minced shallot 

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper


Stir vinegar, shallot, and pepper in a small bowl and serve with shucked oysters.