Shuck, Borough Market
Shuck - great name btw - is a temporary pop up of 'Oysters, Beer & Booze' from shellfish heavyweights Wright Brothers currently occupying one of the railway arches off Borough Market. I'm a long term fan of all things Wright Bros (remember I went to their amazing Oyster Masterclass recently) and was lucky enough to be invited along to the press night of Shuck, which they're calling their 'naughty little brother'. Basically, Shuck allows them to get away with all the things that would never work in the Wright Brothers environment; its a little bit cheekier, a bit cooler and a lot more down and dirty.
Oysters are priced from £1.50 and are served three ways: naked, dressed or blown (literally, with a blowtorch). There are a few options of each - the Thai style dressed with green papaya som tam is exceptional; the sumac and pomegranate Moorish affair also deserves a mention. My heart lies firmly with the blown ones though, and its all such a spectacle as the chef will prepare this all right in front of you - on a shovel...
The anchovy butter blown oyster is phenomenal, let me tell you. Washed down with one of their spicy Red Snappers (a gin based bloody mary) its a match made in heaven.
Even non-oyster lovers will enjoy the Mexican cheese oyster, surely. Melted spicy cheese makes everything taste delicious, and my brother-in-law Simon (an oyster hater) can attest to its palatability.
Prosecco on tap, people watching and a world of oysters in a fun, unpretentious bar with great music: I can't think of much I'd rather be doing on balmy summer evenings in SE1. If you can, answers on a postcard please. Thanks Shuck; I think I love you.
PS. I wrote about all things oysters in London for About Time recently. Have a read here: http://www.abouttimemagazine.co.uk/eat/top-10-oyster-bar-london/