Pleasure House Oysters Needs Your Help!

Living near the Chesapeake Bay allows us to eat some of the best oysters in the world but for a while some of our waterways were in trouble. After years of rehabilitation, oysters are making a comeback due conservation efforts and good stewards like Chris Ludford of Pleasure House Oysters.

Chris comes from a line of local watermen and he grew up harvesting what our waters have to offer. When switching from crabs to oysters years ago he has made it a point to ensure sustainable practices that allow us to enjoy his beautiful Pleasure House Oysters from the Lynnhaven River. He makes sure he takes only what he needs to allow what he harvests to mature and promote population growth in these waters once world renowned for their delicious and bountiful oysters.

Chris is a proponent of educating the public on how oysters live, how they grow and their contribution to our area. The Merroir Terroir oyster dinners Terrapin holds once a month, that's Chris at one above, allows him talk about what is in our waterways and how we all can be conscience of what it is we're pulling from it.

i can think of no better person to be responsible for harvesting oysters from the Lynnhaven than Chris Ludford. His passion to do things the right way, to make sure he leaves no footprints when caring and harvesting from the waters here is obvious when you spend any amount of time with him. He'll take you out on his boat if you want to learn more or see for yourself how he operates.

Help him and his team out to get their lease renewed. Read his personal plea below and write Commissioner John Bull letting him know you support Chris and responsible oyster farming. Share his message too!

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Pleasure House Oysters on Instagram:

We love the Lynnhaven River and everything in it and we work hard to make it a better place but it seems that some folks just don't want oyster farming activities in the waters near their homes. We have an oyster lease application that is being protested by residents that are scared, misinformed and in many cases being inflammatory. We have no ill will toward these folks. We need your help letting the State of Va know we are the best candidate for this lease. If you could take the time to write a letter to;

Commissioner John Bull
Va Marine Resources Commission
2600 Washington Ave
Newport News, Va. 23607
Reference Ludford Application 2014317

Please let them know that our operation takes great care in being a good neighbor on the river and that we should be able to continue our work growing oysters and cleaning the river on the lease we have applied for. Now is the time to act if you can please find the time. Letters carry a lot of weight. Thank you!

Busy Friday!

This past Friday was set to be an busy, but exciting day. A couple of big events were happening: Back Bay Brewing's soft opening in Virginia Beach and Chayce's band, Long Division, playing their CD release show in Norfolk.

First, Back Bay Brewing had a soft opening over the weekend. Friday and Saturday they were going to have the taps pouring for anyone who might stop by. Friday night Nick Vitale from Zeke's Beans & Bowls next door invited some of the area's food trucks to hang out and serve food. There was no shortage of food options.

Tasting room at capacity

From what I hear, about 1,000 people came through the tasting room. I was impressed with the staff, they kept the drinks coming and didn't skip a beat (with the lights flickering here and there.) We met our friends John and Connie and shared a couple of flights while catching up with a few familiar faces. Afterwards, we decided on dinner at Field Guide; and made our way to Norfolk.

Field Guide was packed, it's not uncommon for there to be a little wait if you go in for dinner or lunch. The line was moving fast though and the wait gave us a moment to check out the menu. Shelby grabbed a specialty cocktail made with the house soda and gin. I had a sip, it was refreshing. After a bit we were seated and we ordered our meals. I got the Lou-Wow and Shelby ordered the Boaring Meatloaf. The Lou-Wow was a delicious pork BBQ with a little Hawaiian flair and the Boaring Meatloaf was a pork meatloaf served with mac and cheese and kale. Both dishes were beautiful and delicious--I have to say it was tragic later that evening when we got home and I forgot the leftovers in the car overnight! I almost curled up into a ball on the couch the next day after I realized what I did. Oh! I need to mention that I had a Smartmouth Safety Dance Pilsner. This is served exclusively at Field Guide at the moment - loved it.

After finishing up at Field Guide we had about an hour so we decided to head over to The Birch and say "Hi". We met our friend Matt, who was at the bar with Malia - owner of The Birch; and the other Matt serving behind and bar. I ordered an Italiano TipoPils, it’s my go-to when I’m there--it's good!

We had just enough time to chat a little bit, take a few goofy photos before we were off to Belmont House of Smoke on 21st St. That's were Long Division was playing.

Super Bonus: Marleigh was meeting us at Belmont. She drove down from Richmond to see her brother play what might be his last show with the band before he leaves for the Navy.

Marleigh and Kelsie at Belmont

It was about 10:30 when we arrived at Belmont. There was a good crowd upstairs where the band was playing. They were still setting up for their set we walked in. We said our hellos to the those we knew in the room and I ordered a Smartmouth Rule G.

Long Division played to a packed out and the set was great. I really am going to miss not seeing Chayce on stage playing with the band. Knowing this was going to be one of his last shows with the band made it special.

Long Division

After the show we chatted with Chayce and several others, then we hit the merch table for some Cds and a t-shirt. We bought a copyof their new album for John and Connie and one for our friend Cappy who was there too. We made the rounds and headed out.

John drove us home. Sadly, our leftovers never made it out of the car. I hope it didn't smell too much like BBQ pork in the morning.

Listen to Long Division at their Bandcamp page. Here is one of my favorites off their new album called Skipping Rocks.