Seven Ways to Celebrate the Start of Bluff Oyster Season in Auckland

Found in the ice-cool waters of Foveaux Strait, Bluffies are often considered the finest oysters in the entire underwater kingdom for their succulence and clean, briny and balanced characteristics. The Bluff oyster season kicks off on March 1, running until the end of August or whenever the harvest quota has been reached. There are plenty of ways to enjoy the Southland aphrodisiacs this year, from all-you-can-eat extravaganzas to paired dinners and a gold coin event donating all proceeds to clean up New Zealand's coastline.

THE BLUFF OYSTER LONG LUNCH AT HARBOURSIDE

To celebrate the arrival of the Southland aphrodisiacs, the folks at Auckland waterfront restaurant Harbourside Ocean Bar & Grill are inviting you to scoff as many of the light and briny delights as humanly possibly. Two all-you-can-eat events will take place on Tuesday 6 March and Wednesday 7 March. Each feasting session will kick off with a flute of Champagne on arrival before the oysters are presented across three rounds. See the full menu here.

THE FIRST HAUL AT EURO

This week Nourish Group executive chef Gareth Stewart will trek to Bluff to welcome the first commercial catch of oysters before shucking furiously back in Auckland to keep up with demand for the briny bivalves. Kicking off the Princes Wharf Oyster Festival on Friday 2 March will be the First Haul — Euro's three-hour all-you-can-eat extravaganza with Bluff oysters served natural, Kilpatrick and tempura. The Great Bluff Lunch will follow at the waterfront venue on Thursday 15 March with free-flowing Champagne and five oyster-filled courses.

THE BLUFF BANQUET AT REGATTA BAR & EATERY

Takapuna's Regatta Bar & Eatery will celebrate the launch of Bluff oyster season with its third annual banquet on March 9 celebrating all-you-can-eat natural oysters. The seafood restaurant's chef has also been hard at work perfecting an oyster sabayon with Champagne foam, charred pickled pearl onions and parsley crisp, and a Tuatara pale ale beer-battered variety with tarragon mayonnaise and pickled gherkins. Oyster shuckers will be put at work in the middle of the restaurant where you can walk up and slurp as soon as they're opened.

BLUFF, MEAT, BEER AT THE CULPEPER

On Thursday 14 March the team from Panhead Custom Ales will host a celebration of beer and oysters at waterfront eatery, The Culpeper. Bluff Meat Beer will feature three courses of meat and oysters matched with some of Panhead's finest brews. Further down the track on Saturday 24 March the venue's Oyster & Music Festival will see 200 dozen oysters given away for free. There will also be an oyster shucking competition and DJs Phoebe Falconer and Kate Elliot on the decks.

DR RUDI'S ANNUAL OYSTER RUN

On March 1, Dr Rudi's head chef Richard Simms will head to ground zero to collect 100 dozen new season Bluffies. This year the Viaduct rooftop bar will shucking live for all to witness and fresh Bluff oysters will be available for a ridiculously generous gold coin donation. All proceeds from the event will go to Sustainable Coastlines who help protect New Zealand's beautiful coastline. Round off your experience with a Rudi's craft brew on the deck and by knocking down some pins at the onsite bowling alley.

OYSTER MARKET POP-UP AT MISSION BAY PAVILION

From March 4-6, Mission Bay Pavilion will kick off the oyster season with $3 Bluffies. The promotion will be part of the beachside eatery's pop-up oyster market which will also include live music and an oyster bar in the outdoor courtyard. The bar will feature a DIY counter of condiments and toppings, plus some blackboard specials.

Babiche Martens.

BUCK A SHUCK AT THE GRILL BY SEAN CONNOLLY

Sean Connolly will be practically giving away the briny delights at his Federal Street's restaurant The Grill this weekend. On March 3-4, from 12.30-3pm and 5-7pm, Connolly will be shucking new season Bluff oysters for $1 each. A buck a shuck.

Image: Regatta Bar & Eatery.