Three months later, we finally met up for oysters.

It has become a tradition in our family that every last Thursday of November, also known as Thanksgiving, our entire family gets together for way too much food, and a whole lot of drinking in my brother’s building’s common area (one of the few ways to have a large gathering when living in the typical NYC one bedroom apartment). After an extensive array of appetizers, a full sit down dinner, and many many shots of vodka (we come from a Russian background), everyone gathers around an elongated table to play flip cup (more commonly played among college students). This is the bonding ritual that takes place, and we always look forward to seeing which team is left standing at the end.

Thanksgiving 2010 came immediately after the birth/launch of the oysterblog. And so if we were not eating, taking shots, or flipping cups of beer, we were talking about oysters. My sister-in-law’s cousin’s boyfriend (I did mention this is an entire family affair) expressed the most interest and even requested a lesson in oysters.

After many Facebook messages and email exchanges, we finally set the date-February 23.

Where there is food, there must be drinks. So with that in mind the only place I knew that could accommodate significant quantities of both without leaving anyone scramble for cab fare home, is Fish on Bleeker Street in the West Village. How can you go wrong with the $8 half dozen Blue Point oysters and a glass of wine or beer deal?

Four out of five us eating oysters, we each ordered the special, throwing in eight West Coasters (Kumos and Fanny Bays) to diversify the plate. 32 Oysters down and 4 drinks later, we were ready for round 2. And so the night continued….

It was an oyster evening like none other. 74 oysters and 11 BRSs later, it seemed that the mission had been accomplished. Everyone had a good helping of oysters and drinks. Even my non-oyster eating (its painful) sister-in-law enjoyed her lobster roll and the many other food items we all shared (great mussels).

Looks like Thanksgiving 2011 we may be shucking instead of flipping. Or perhaps a little bit of both. Lets hope those oyster knives are not too sharp.

Pammy and Rob, we love you guys!!