I was at the Ferry Building today and had a snack at Hog Island as the line wasn’t too long - you line up out front for a table, no reservations. They have tables outside but I was seated at the oyster bar inside.
Had a bunch of oysters raw: (a half dozen for $21)
Disco Hama (Pacific - Discovery Bay, Washington) on the left, Dukes (Atlantic - Topsail Island, NC) on the right. They come with mignonette and lemon. Well shucked and fresh and liquor-y. The discos were bigger and meatier and the Dukes were a bit brinier I think. Both quite good.
and a few grilled:
Aji Amarillo ($17)
Butter, aji amarillo peppers, garlic, pisco,
lime juice, cilantro
Good, mostly butter and garlic taste though with a hint of sweet pepper and citrus. And maybe a hint of pisco (a Peruvian/Chilean brandy) too.
Chipotle Bourbon ($17)
Butter, Bourbon, brown sugar, garlic, chipotle
Bit like a BBQ oyster. I think I liked this one a bit more as the sugar and chipotle gave it a nice smoky sweetness.
And also a couple cocktails:
The World is Your Oyster ($14)
Mezcal, house hog wash liquor, kummel, Hog Island Signature Bloody Mary Mix, lime, Tapatio hot sauce, served with Sweetwater oyster
Since an oyster is about $3.50 here I calculate the rest of the cocktail to be $10.50, what a deal. Quite nice - a little sweet and savory with some smokiness from the mezcal. Not quite as thick as a Bloody Mary.
Sacred Cenote ($14)
Agave de Cortez Mezcal, Montenegro Amaro,
agave, lime, mint, Angostura bitters, Scrimshaw Pilsner
Kind of like a mezcal mojito with a little beer mixed in. Nice and refreshing.
