Oyster 369

Intimate, with only 13 seats, Oyster 369 is infusing the culinary scene of Kaua‘i with new takes on classic dishes by offering flavor combinations sure to excite all the senses. Whether savoring sensuous raw oysters on the half shell or indulging in a dish of seafood imparted with a smoky finish from their wood-burning oven, guests at Oyster 369 will be delighted by Chef Aaron Leikam’s original and exciting pairings of seasonal ingredients and innovative preparations.

WORDS KRYSTAL KAKIMOTO

Leikam, of Street Burger success, created Oyster 369 with the intent of offering another component to the dining experiences he was providing his guests at his handcrafted upscale burger-joint. This native of Arlington, Texas and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America’s Hyde Park campus, spent a considerable amount of his time in the Pacific Northwest and wanted to share the love of oysters, shellfish, and seafood that he gained there with the people of Kaua‘i, adding a fresh perspective to the culinary offerings available.

The daily rotation of oysters presented on their menu changes with seasonality and availability ranging from Kusshi oysters from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, that are heralded for their plump meat and delicate flavors, to the briny and powerful Misty Point oysters from Smith Island, Virginia. The fresh oysters are served alongside Chef Leikam’s three homemade sauces: Snortin’ Hot Cocktail Sauce, housemade Tabasco, and his elegant Champagne Mignonette whose sharp acidity refines the flavor of the oysters.

Along with 26 taps boasting a selection of 22 beers, 2 house wines, cider, and root beer, Oyster 369 also offers an extensive wine list culled with selections from across the globe that allows guests to create out of this world pairings with the succulent oysters. One stellar bottling to pair with nearly every type of oyster offered on their menu is the Scharffenberger Brut Excellence NV ($42 per bottle) from Mendocino County, California. This dry, sparkling wine offers a complex and intricate palate of toasted almonds and butter against a mild fruity vein that refreshes the palate with bursts of Bartlett pears, figs, mandarin oranges, and a lemon freshness. Their signature vinification techniques result in a velvet-smooth wine full of finesse that can withstand the creamy fleshiness of oysters and the robust sauces offered.

For dishes to share, Chef Leikam offers a variety of poke (seasoned raw fish) and crudo (Italian raw fish dishes) for guests to enjoy. His locally inspired Poke Bowl 2 offers guests an opportunity to relish in flavors of the world with preparations that originated in the islands. Beginning with a bed of steamed rice, Chef Leikam adds gently chopped bits of ‘ahi (yellowfin tuna), crisp cucumber, succulent wedges of oranges, and diced sweet onion that has been blended with a generous portion of flavorful extra virgin olive oil, fragrant mint and cilantro leaves, and his own blend of kimchee vinaigrette to create a dish bursting with both freshness and flavor.

Other menu notables include Skillet Roasted Mussels with garlic, herbs and chili lime butter, Roasted Clams with chorizo, red onion, tomato, white wine and rosemary and Oysters Rockefeller with spinach, fennel, Pernod, and parsley. For the burger aficionado, order the extravagant surf and turf Oyster 369 Burger made with local Makaweli beef patty topped with half lobster along with spinach, hollandaise and old bay fizzled onions.

And for those wishing to celebrate with one of the finest offerings the kitchen of Oyster 369 has to offer, their Shellfish Platter will awe all in its presence. Boasting fresh oysters and clams on the half shell, Maine lobster tails raised off the coast of Kona, sweet Dungeness crab legs and claws, and their Peel & Eat Shrimp along with their signature homemade sauces and freshly drawn garlic butter. This spectacular dish offers the finest bounty from the sea executed precisely to heighten each element’s tender and unique flavors.

A perfect spot to drop in for a romantic date night or a place to gather with friends, Oyster 369 offers the finest seafood on the island and flavors found nowhere else.

Oyster 369 is located at 4-369 Kühiö Highway, in Kapa‘a. Open Tuesday thru Saturday from 5pm. Call (808) 212-1555 or visit www.oyster369.com.