“When people mention Captain Chris Ludford, the words “passionate” and “energized” are typically exchanged at some point in the conversation.”

Now, through the watermen’s heritage tour program, visitors to Virginia can experience the time-honored history and traditions of our working watermen up-close and personal.

Cap'n Lee at the dock after it's first test run

Cap’n Lee at the dock after it’s first test run

View our listing at The Chesapeake Bay’s Best Hands-On Tour website.

Be sure to check out the Build Your Tour at the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, or Virginia Beach areas.

Please support your local watermen! It’s entertaining, educational, & tasty!

When was the last time you slurped oysters IN the Lynnhaven?

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Learn more about our Tours.

We’re proud to provide Pleasure House Oysters for the 2nd Annual Oak Island Supper to benefit the Southern Foodways Alliance

Amazing Chefs will be serving incredible food for supper.

Virginia oysters from…
Sewansecott – Rappahannock
Indian Rock – Pleasure House – Shooting Point

Getting prepared from 1st Annual Oak Island Supper

Getting prepared from 1st Annual Oak Island Supper

Start here to view Chefs, menu & to purchase tickets.

We’re excited to celebrate some of the best food and drink our region has to offer.

This day will be one not soon forgotten.

SFA_HT_2015

Thank you for inviting us to shuck & serve at Camp Grom’s Ground breaking Ceremony

Learn more about the awe-inspiring Camp Grom here.

JT’S CAMP GROM
Everyone needs an adventure.

And camp is definitely an adventure—one that can help forge lifelong friendships, build self-confidence, and change lives for the better. But for adults and children living with disabilities or special needs, camp is an opportunity that’s often frustratingly out of reach.

Pulled & selected at high tide in Broad Bay Friday morning

Pulled & selected at high tide in Broad Bay Friday morning

One last tumble by hand in the Lynnhaven to polish the oysters

One last tumble by hand in the Lynnhaven to polish the oysters

Secret mignonette recipe from Shucked

Secret mignonette recipe from Shucked

Before old friends & new come together to celebrate ground breaking ceremony

Before old friends & new come together to celebrate ground breaking ceremony

Thanks to First Landing Woodworks for supplying the oyster knives

Thanks to First Landing Woodworks for supplying the oyster knives

We're happy you love The Lynnhaven On The Half Shell

We’re happy you love The Lynnhaven On The Half Shell

Some were serious about their love for the Lynnhaven's oysters

Some were serious about their love for the Lynnhaven’s oysters

Learn more about the awe-inspiring Camp Grom here.

“Pleasure House Oysters, based in Virginia Beach, offers a couple of ways to venture onto the Lynnhaven River.”

The Southern Agenda: December/January 2015 at Garden & Gun November 2014:

There’s no denying that Southern oysters are at their best straight out of the water in late fall and winter. Discover that flavorful fact for yourself during an Oyster Farm Tour on the Lynnhaven River…

Read the rest of the article about Pleasure House Oyster Tours in this issue’s Garden & Gun!

“Eating an oyster is an art form, really. For the best flavor, aficionados say, the shellfish must be eaten raw.”

Science of Oysters by Diane Tennant with photography by Eric Lusher for Distinction Magazine Food Issue October 2014:

“You’ve got to remember, there is no food we consume that is more emblematic of the place from which they come,” says Dan Lewis, chef and owner of Coastal Provisions on the Outer Banks.

“What we call an oyster taste, that doesn’t really occur until about eight or 10 chews into the oyster. Then it blooms at that point.” Texture plays a big role in the whole oyster-eating experience, they say.

Ludford Brothers Oyster Company & Eric Lusher working in the Lynnhaven

Ludford Brothers Oyster Company & Eric Lusher working in the Lynnhaven

Chris & Eric Lusher working in the Lynnhaven

Chris & Eric Lusher working in the Lynnhaven

Lee Gregory with what it's all about - the oysters

Lee Gregory with what it’s all about – the oysters

Thanks to John Fall & Distinction for having us work with Eric Lusher on the photos for this incredibly detailed & entertaining article.

Be sure to check out the entire article entitled Science of Oysters at Distinction.

The Virginia oyster is back

Lydia Wheeler from Inside Business August 29th 2014:

“There’s a revolution happening,” said Chris Ludford, owner of Ludford Brothers Oyster Co., a boutique oyster grower in Virginia Beach. “In the last four to five years we’ve regained a foothold in a younger population of oyster eaters.”

“The salinity of the water, whether it’s grown in a bag or in a cage, whether it’s in a marsh or in the middle of a salt flat, contributes to the different merroir of an oyster,” Ludford said. “In Virginia, we have seven regions and seven unique flavors.”

Ludford describes the Pleasure House oysters he raises in the Lynnhaven River as slightly briny with a sweetness that comes to the palate with the body of the oyster.

“It’s like jumping through the wave at the beach,” he said. “It’s all-encompassing.”

Be sure to read the entire article entitled The Virginia oyster is back at Inside Business – The Hampton Roads Business Journal.

“AS AN OYSTER-INSPIRED ROADTRIP ENTHUSIAST, VIRGINIA HAD BEEN ON MY RADAR QUITE SOME TIME. SO WHEN WE GOT A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL…”

VIRGINIA OYSTER ROAD TRIP:LYNNHAVEN by Julie Qiu at InAHalfShell.com July 2014:

Before you think oyster farming is a breeze, just consider this: a few ounces of 2mm oyster seed can net out in thousands of pounds of heavy lifting down the road. For Chris and his crew, it’s a backbreaking labor of love.

They also harvest and deliver same day, year-round. By keeping his distribution local and limited, Pleasure House Oysters has been able to enjoy premium brand status and pricing.

Photo Credit: Julie Qiu InAHalfShell.com. Gorgeous!

Photo Credit: Julie Qiu InAHalfShell.com. Gorgeous!

Thank you for choosing Pleasure House Oysters for Virginia Craft at Chelsea Market in NYC

We are honored to be among the finest culinary craftsmen in Virginia to represent our state’s best food producers at an event in NYC.

The event, entitled Virginia Craft, was put together by the Virginia is For Lovers campaign to showcase the “best culinary products from Virginia”.

If you’ve tasted a Lynnhaven oyster you know how exceptional they are. Thank you for choosing Pleasure House Oysters to show off the exceptional food coming out of the Lynnhaven.

Virginia Craft at Chelsea Market NYC

Virginia Craft at Chelsea Market NYC

After savoring the lively liquid (of which there was plenty), I slurped up the slippery, oversized shellfish and started chewing (something I began doing at the behest of the oyster experts around me, and it makes sense…”

Erik Mathes from The Daily Meal November 21 2013:

For starters, these are no ordinary oysters in terms of dimension: they’re huge. Sipping the liquor, you get a refreshing, briny taste that snaps across your palate. It’s an instant, salty awakening of the senses and an excellent indication of what’s to follow.

If you’re intrigued with the Pleasure House Oysters process and you’re around Virginia Beach, try out their goods at one of the aforementioned restaurants and see what you think. Their size, shells, and taste are bound to impress, but it’s their positive impact on the environment that’s their most profound distinction.

Be sure to read the entire article entitled “Pleasure House Oysters: Reviving Virginia’s Lynnhaven River” at The Daily Meal.

Pleasure House Oyster Amuse, green apple mignonette, n/v Bocelli Prosecco at Eurasia on October 7th

Enjoy an evening of fantastic food, including Pleasure House Oysters, and wine at Eurasia.

Another fine dinner from Eurasia VB!!!

960 Laskin Road 23451

Monday, October 7th at 630 PM, Eurasia will be hosting Brad du Plessis from Palmaz Vineyards for an evening of fantastic food and wine!

Limited seating is available so call 757-422-0184 soon for reservations.

Dinner will be $89 per person and you will have the opportunity to buy some great wines at less than retail pricing for one night only. Also, Palmaz is making some library vintages and Magnums available for this evening.

Like us on Facebook

757-422-0184 for reservations

http://www.eurasiavb.com

Pleasure House Oyster Amuse

    green apple mignonette

    n/v Bocelli Prosecco

Asian Pear Cigar Crisp

    asiago fresco, honeycomb, basil fluid gel

    2011 Palmaz Amalia Chardonnay

Roasted Duck

    braised apples, crispy parsnips, pineapple molasses

    2009 Cedar Knoll Cabernet

Seared Hanger Steak

    fall veggie hash, blue cheese popover

    2009 Palmaz Cabernet

Mini Candied Apples

    honey soup

    2011 Muscat Canelli “Florencia”

Thanks for your continued support!