Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Happy hour on the half shell

Our nice, new little neighborhood oyster bar, Ama Ama, is trying a new promotion to turn West Seattle residents into customers: Twice daily, from 4 to 6 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to midnight, they're offering oysters for 50 cents each. That's more like it!

We wrote about this place once before, lamenting that although we liked the decor and the food the prices were a bit steep to make it a regular grog-walk destination. But last night, when the later happy hour rolled around, we walked up the street to check it out.

Double jackpot. Although the place was almost empty, the host confided that they had under-ordered and only had two dozen oysters left.

"Fine," Michelle said, practically interrupting him. "We'll take 'em."

When we sat down we were informed further that about half our order wouldn't be the normal $2 happy-hour oysters, but the top-of-the-line such-and-such variety that usually go for $4 apiece. Sweet! I can never remember the names of the various varieties, but the Puget Sound is known for producing excellent oysters and these were all local and all very good.

In addition to the fine food, we had a nice quiet conversation -- away from the computers, the TV, the kids and the poker table -- about the emotional swings that come with the cancer (it turns out there are some).

I'm not a big believer in psychotherapy, or at least I've never had much interest in trying it, but Michelle's a terrific listener and thinker, and at happy-hour prices our session was quite a bargain: $21, and that included a great late-night dinner of two dozen oysters, a side order of bread and a couple of good beers.

It could turn into a regular appointment. Now if I can get insurance to cover it ...

6 comments:

freda said...

how sweet it is. I hate raw shell fish, but I know how much you two love them.

Kate Cohen said...

Sometimes you get what you need.

Sometimes you get what you need with affordable first-class oysters and beer.

I like that second one. Especially when it's in walking distance. You sound like "regulars" waiting to happen.

Unknown said...

Again, jealous! I miss oysters!

mich said...

Sounds like a great night, insurance or no.

Anonymous said...

It almost makes me wish I liked oysters.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure about counseling or psychology but I do know it is the people who know you and love you that get you through these things.