I am in heaven - revisited !

Really? Because you recommend them, I will seek them out and try them. To date, I've not been convinved of the qualities of East Coast oysters

-- not enough flavor for me, and too 'sandy' tasting (not texture). But then, have not had Virginia Beach oysters - only Long Island and Maryland.

I prefer the cold, clear water oysters of New Zealand, Tomales Bay and, expecially, Washington State.

As for Gulf oysters .... yuk ....

These have not been on the market for many years. They were the favorites of Diamond Jim Brady.

Lawrence wrote on Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:04:33 -0500:

??>> Really? Because you recommend them, I will seek them out ??>> and try them. To date, I've not been convinved of the ??>> qualities of East Coast oysters -- not enough flavor for ??>> me, and too 'sandy' tasting (not texture). But then, have ??>> not had Virginia Beach oysters - only Long Island and ??>> Maryland. ??>>

??>> I prefer the cold, clear water oysters of New Zealand, ??>> Tomales Bay and, expecially, Washington State. ??>>

??>> As for Gulf oysters .... yuk .... ??>>

??>> On 2007-11-18 12:01:50 -0800, Lawrence Leichtman ??>> said: ??>>>

??>>> The once finest oysters in the world are again being ??>>> harvested in the Lynnhaven River here in Virginia Beach. ??>>> They don't know how long they will allow the harvest to ??>>> continue but I have only heard tales of these oysters as ??>>> harvesting them has been banned for 25-30 years due ??>>> to pollution.

I'd dispute the title of "best"! I liked Chincoteague oysters, also from the Chesapeake, but I haven't seen them in years.

James Silverton Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

As with everything best is relative to one's taste. I have never had these so best is strictly based on previous reputation. I don't mean to get anyone's panties in a wad over this but this is an exciting development as this river and estuary has been too polluted to use for anything eating wise in a lot of years. This cleanup is a fluke of a low rain season and the concerted effort of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and they should be congratulated. I have an order in for them and will give them the taste test. My favorites normally come from Portland and I have never seen New Zealand oysters on a menu at any place I have been so I can't say one way or the other I like them.

The New Zealand oysters I tasted were the very best I've ever had, and the most expensive. I suppose the 12,000 mile journey might have had something to do with the cost. They were a bit like Kumamoto oysters but with bigger flavors, a fireworks display for the mouth.