Lucky 12 Tavern. It's All About Oysters.

Saturday afternoon, Mr. Hawthorne and I went to the event we've been looking forward to since we were there last year - Lucky Twelve Tavern's It's All About Oysters. Here's my post from last year, if you want to check out the fun.

And this, my friends is the Lucky Twelve Tavern.

I just liked these pictures, so I kept on shooting.

This is the owner and our gracious host, Mark Ballogg. Here he's making the absolute best Remoulade Sauce I've ever had. I've got the recipe, so if you'd like it, please email me for it. I've made it several times since last year, and Mark didn't leave anything out like some cooks do. I just scale it down for my family.

As like last year, Mark closed his kitchen down for this event and we all squeezed in there to watch him and BJ work their oyster magic.

While everbody else was scrunched together in the front I stayed behind to take pictures of the kitchen. And a darn clean kitchen at that.

Spices neatly lined up on shelves.

Containers, bowls, and baking sheets neatly stacked.

Pots and pans easily accessible.

And it's a safe kitchen too.

First we feasted on raw oysters. I like mine with a squeeze of lemon juice, a bit of horseradish, and a few drops of hot sauce. And check out the size of that oyster on top. I lurves me some oysters and these were derrific and telicious local delicacies.

This has always been a very casual, fun event.

Mark had just shucked those oysters. Freshly shucked makes a BIG difference. I think he said it took him about 2 1/2 hours to shuck that over-sized gallon.

Oops. One little oyster ended up on the floor.

Here, Mark is getting ready to fry some oysters.

Just flour, salt, and pepper for his batter. Into 350-degree oil for 45-60 seconds and Mark shakes the baskets to keep them from sticking to each other.

While Mark was frying, this honey leaned in behind Mark so her girlfriend could take her picture, and the ham saw what was going on so he leaned in to get in the shot too.

Here's the girlfriend taking her turn.

And here are Mark's delicious, crisp, perfectly fried oysters.

Then the two chicks wanted to pose with BJ too.

And being the good guy he is, BJ obliged.

Heh. BJ's expression doesn't change at all.

I'm really liking America's Next Top Model.

Everybody's busy eating the oysters, drinking, and having fun.

OMG! They're at it again.

Meanwhile,

I decided to take a break and go outside for some fresh air and sunshine. It's hot in that kitchen. After all, it's in the 70's! Check out that rosemary.

Back in the kitchen for more random shots.

For some reason, I liked this shot. I liked the leaves on Mr. Hawthorne's shirt and the woman's butt drawing your eye over to Mark's arm, and the lady sticking her head to ask Mark questions.

Here's Mark starting on grilled oysters.

BJ's making his grilled oysters with melted butter, parmesan cheese, paprika, and sugar. These are wonderful.

I love these oysters. I've made them at home too and enjoyed them immensely.

Thanks, Mark and BJ. It's always a pleasure.