— TheToothfish

Culinaring in N’awlins: Oyster Paradise at Casamentos

My experience with oysters is shallow, but I can tell you now that Casamentos has ruined the endeavor for me. Said other ways, it’s like never having eaten a steak before so your first encounter is with Japanese Kobe. Get it now? Every time we come to New Orleans, my parents insist on eating at Casamentos for the oysters, so of course this was the place for me to lose my oyster virginity.

In the background of this picture is Mike Rogers, an oyster-shucking champion who was kind enough to make us his “special sauce” (hot sauce, garlic, lemon juice, ketchup (?) and olive oil – I may be missing something). Not sure what it is but there’s something beautiful, magical even, about a fresh oyster. While the sauce lent much of the flavor, the oyster itself had fantastic texture. I should emphasize how fresh these were. I could have eaten 20.

Now THIS was gumbo. From the first bite, a sense of story was evident in this signature dish. The rue was strong and deep.

Seafood platter of fried catfish, oysters, crab claws, shrimp and fries. 
The cornmeal batter was of the modest sort that had just enough seasoning to let the shellfish do most of the talking. This entire platter: excellent.

I don’t know what else to say except that if you don’t go to Casamentos when you’re in New Orleans, you’re being silly. It’s crazy fresh, delicious and simple. There’s nothing more to it, and there’s nothing that needs to be either.