Weekly Menu, June 5-11: Oysters + Romeo & Juliet

You might have noticed that when I like something I REALLY LIKE IT. To the point of being a little obsessive. Happens with the menu, with music, restaurants, books, you name it. I like to find what I think is the best and then enjoy the hell out of it.

The last few months, we’ve been lucky enough to be able to eat out on a regular basis. Which has in turn fed my mini-obsession with oysters. There’s something innately celebratory about having your own little iced tray of oysters on the half shell set in front of you. Malpeque, Bluepoint, Kumamotos, Wellfleets, Miyagis; I’ve tried them all and then some. I’m a bit intimidated about trying to serve them at home, but in coming up with the menu this week, I found this recipe I clipped from an old Bon Appetit: Grilled Oysters with Bacon and Cayenne Butter. Oh my.

Photo by Hans Gissinger for Bon Appetit

Three of my favorite things—call it four when you throw in the grill—in one delicious dish. I just have to brave the shucking process and I’m THERE.

And I still want to try this recipe for Lightened Up Oyster Po’Boys from MSL. Maybe with another oyster lover in the house this weekend we’ll get to it. Especially since, short of a financial miracle, we are not making it to our favorite fried oyster shack in Menemsha this year.

So the other thing on repeat in my brain is this great song called 40 Dogs (Like Romeo & Juliet). Really a confection of perfect pop, but with (don’t throw anything at me) Bob Schneider’s terrific lyrics that rattle around in your head over and over:

we’re like Romeo & Juliet…we’re like good times that haven’t happened yet, but will

come out tonight come out with me baby we’ll throw the careful into the crazy, turn a sky black into a sky blue, turn a closed shade into a WOO HOO

it ain’t no crime it’s just dreams we’re stealin anything to hold onto this feeling.

All better with music! We heard him perform it live at Bowery Ballroom a week ago, and we CAN’T STOP PLAYING IT NOW.  Seriously, watch the video (or don’t—just listen to the music—and you will not be able to resist). We’ve been plugging Schneider’s great new album A Perfect Day since it came out—now I have to make a plug for Lovely Creatures as well.

Weekly Menu:

Sunday: Roasted Tomatoes with Anchovy Oreganata and Salad via Bon Appetit and Gwyneth Paltrow. That’s right, Gwynnie! And let me tell you this was pretty fab, and we didn’t have time to slow roast the tomatoes. We just did a quick roast at 400 degrees for about 20 mins and it was great.

Monday: Tuna Tacos, Avocados and Slaw. Simple and delicious.

Photo by Dasha Wright Ewing for Bon Appetit

Tuesday: Grandma Patsy comes to town! Sticky Balsamic Ribs, Grilled Corn and Salad

Wednesday: Rotisserie Chicken and Roasted Leeks

Thursday: Fettucine with Prosciutto, Peas and Lemon Chive Sauce with a Salad

Friday: Eat out! Grandma’s choice

Saturday: Could be pizza…not sure!

Wishing you L.A. days, in other words, ENDLESS SUMMER