The Marshall Store
19225 State Route 1
Marshall, CA 94940-
Oysters and I have not always gotten along. I was intimidated by the shucking and the shell in general. I have had some not so amazing oysters in the past. And overall it has been one of those foods where I kept saying - is this really what everyone gets crazy about. Over the past 2 years though i have been trying different oysters and it is fast becoming a favorite way to start a meal (or in the case of last weekend - make a meal).
The Girl and I ventured north from san francisco and had a great weekend hiking and marveling at an area of california we have never really explored. On highway one we had planned to go to the re-done nick's cove but then I read about the marshall store (just before nick's on ca-1) and new that we had to try it.
The marshall store is a fun easy going place. It definitely knows it is a popular place for foodies and tourists a like but is still no nonsense and honest food. And boy is it some good food. The clam chowder was stuff i remember from the jersey shore but with better clams. Strong clam flavor - rich but not overly creamy with a good amount of dill, pepper, and potatoes. Then the oysters came - I am still thinking about them. Raw, BBQ, and Rockefeller. All very good but the BBQ ones were a little too good. I am thinking about leaving work right now and going to get some (its only 8:49 and i have no car - still i am thinking about it). The raw ones had the perfect balance of briny and plump and everything you want out of a fresh raw oyster. The BBQ ones had all that wrapped in a lasagna like blanket. Tomato paste, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, and bread crumbs are my guests but the sum was more then just that. It was a revelation. The Rockefeller oysters were good but a little too much in my opinion. Spinach, breadcrumbs, lots of butter - oh it was good - but just hard to compare to the BBQ ones (odd side point i just read here that oysters Rockefeller back in the day had absinthe in it).
Here are pictures to make you all jealous that you are not at the marshall store right now:
