We were driving around the French coast searching for fresh oysters. After stopping by at least half a dozen places (all of them were unfortunately closed since it was a Monday), we were ecstatic that La Cabane du Paliquey was open.
Well, sort of open.
There was a woman putting things away and tidying up so we thought we'd give it a shot. She spoke zero English and our French is as basic as it gets, but she was so kind and welcoming. I think she said "sorry, we're closed" but the look of foodie desperation on our faces must've warmed her heart because she put down her car keys and decided to sell us some fresh oysters.
We ordered a crapload of fresh oysters for very little money (roughly €1 per piece). We selected several of each variety. The shellfish were so fresh that they were right in front of us in aerated salt water, plucked and shucked mere seconds before they landed in our hungry bellies.
She gave us the oysters on a giant disposable tray and pointed to the outside deck where we could sit and eat. A minute later she had dropped and locked up the gate and shut off all the lights. She was all smiles (a real departure from the demeanor of a typical local) and was so nice that on her way out, she poured us each a cup of local white wine to pair with the oysters.
So there we sat, in the dark and the cold drizzling near-rain and consumed some of the very best oysters we've ever eaten. They were pristine, meaty, and smelled and tasted of the salty sea. read more