Bivalves and a View
Merroir has been on my hit list ever since tasting the Rappahannock Oyster Co.’s beautiful little bivalves last fall at DC’s Union Market. These guys aren’t messing around. After reviving their great-grandfather’s oyster business by googling (yes googling) oyster farming, the Croxton boys are off and running.
The ever-handy tool of the mighty interwebs has done them well. Ryan and Travis Croxton run a thriving oyster farm with a lovely tasting room, Merroir, right on the banks of the Rappahannock River and have since opened two more restaurants in DC and Virginia within the last year. Oh, and their first customer was none other than the greatest seafood chef in all the land, Chef Eric Ripert of Le Bernadin. You read that right. If it’s good enough for Ripert, well then- I mean, I had to go.
After a long and windy drive through the Chesapeake region of southern Virigina, we arrived at a sleepy and picturesque little marina with a modest building and a beautiful shell-bottomed and red umbrella-dotted outdoor dining room. This is Merroir. It’s pretty dreamy. My mom and I hauled the kiddos down to Topping to partake of these freshly shucked tasties. I was prepared for the tastiness but not for the dreaminess. The food other than the oysters (is there such a thing when you’re surrounded by such raw divinity?) is terrific as well. We had some tasty sliders made from local Angus beef and a seared pesto tuna steak that was so fresh and flavorful. The kiddos chowed on a caprese salad- you cannot go wrong. A lunch to remember, this place is well worth the drive. It’s about an hour from Williamsburg, VA., if you happen to be in Williamsburg, you know- just stopping by to join in on all of the Colonial revelry. From DC, it’s about 2 1/2 hours. A hike yes, but if you’re an oyster fan- do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this little enclave. Make an overnight of it and stay at The Tides Inn, a beautiful waterfront resort in nearby Irvington, or tuck yourself in at the darling Hope and Glory Inn in town.
If you can’t make it down to Topping and find yourself in DC, a trip to Union Market is must. You can’t call yourself a foodie while in DC without a visit to Union Market. Saddle up to the marble slab of a bar at the Rappahannock Oyster Co. and order yourself a glass of Muscadet or a Lambic to accompany your dozen. My favorites on the half shell are the Olde Salts, but they’re all delicious.
Merroir- Topping, VA.
Rappanhannock Oyster Co.-Union Market, DC
Rappahannock- Richmond, VA.
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