Category Archives: Press

We’re in the news and you love us! Thank you.

We’re thrilled to be a Partner in Chesapeake 10 Billion Oysters Partnership!

Posted on by under Enjoy, Lynnhaven, Press

The Chesapeake 10 Billion Oysters Partnership is a multi-year effort designed to spark governmental action, public attention, and funding to accelerate ongoing oyster restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay. The ambitious goal of this collaborative effort is to add 10 billion new oysters by 2025 in Virginia and Maryland waters.

Learn more about 10 Billion Oysters Partnership.

WHAT ARE THE KEY COMPONENTS OF THE CHESAPEAKE 10 BILLION OYSTERS PARTNERSHIP?

    Restoring Oysters in Sanctuaries
    Improving Science-Based Fishery Management
    Increasing Oyster Aquaculture

Coverage including video at WTKR.com.

The project is starting up in Maryland and stretches 200 miles down the coastline, affecting our waterways in Virginia Beach.

Chris Ludford, owner of Pleasure House Oysters, showed us his oyster farming operation.

Coverage at Pilotonline.com.

Other Virginia partners in the new effort are Chessie Seafood, the Elizabeth River Project, Pleasure House Oysters and Virginia Wesleyan University.

National partners include Restore America’s Estuaries, Building Conservation Trust and the National Aquarium. Among the scientific advisers are the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Mary Reid Barrow shares our coyote swimming video. Thank you!

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Photographs, Press

Check out her article at Pilotonline.com.

No wonder coyotes are getting around the area so easily!

Our coyote videos made the news !

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Photographs, Press

WAVY TV 10 coverage here.

We ❤ our Lynnhaven River!

Why we work so hard to help keep our beloved river clean by raising oysters. You never know what you might experience on the water.

A minute after he disappeared into the woods a mature bald eagle flew by. Love this place!

Join us on a Tour sometime.

“There is really nothing like being able to taste the area in an oyster!”

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Press, Tasting

AltDaily.com Highly Recommended: Shiptown on North Colley November 29th 2016

Our first course was a sampler of oysters on the half shell. We were provided with a taste of each of the four varieties they offered, with the Pleasure House oysters being my favorite.

shiptown-oysters

The décor was clean and simple; steel oyster bushels hung from the ceiling and the vintage photographs on the wall were all collected from local oyster farms. The lighting was dim and romantic, and despite every seat being full it was not too loud.

The menu comprises of dishes created with ingredients obtained by local oysterman, fisherman…

Thank you for the kind words!

We’re very happy to be part of Shiptown.

Sad day for Virginians and specifically the locals in and around Virginia Beach. We have been struggling with how and when to post this event.

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Press

View this post on Instagram

Sad day for Virginians and specifically the locals in and around Virginia Beach. We have been struggling with how and when to post this event. Our goal with Instagram has been to inform and entertain not on a political level but recent events have forced our hand. A small, wealthy and powerful group of waterfront residents are trying to push oyster aquaculture out of the Lynnhaven River. Yes we have pointed out the great things oysters do to enhance habitat, clean water and attract fish. They simply do not care. Here I am being given a written warning for my oyster gear being "out of compliance". The gear we use was designed and approved by the state. In fact much of it was given to us in the form of a grant. What the latest "warnings" amounts to is harassment at the behest of the homeowners. The MPO serving me was following orders & we have no ill will towards him or them. You the public own the waterways and the bottom under the water. In the coming weeks we will need your help. For now feel free to call Commissioner John Bull at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, State Reps Bill Desteph and Jason Miyares to voice your support for local food, farmers and speak about your ownership of the waters. #LynnhavenRiver #oysters #aquaculture #seafood #FarmToTable #SeaToTable #FamilyFarm #OysterLove #RiverLove #CommercialFishing #SupportItOrImportIt #OysterLife #FarmLife #BuyFreshBuyLocalHR #FreshFood #VBBaylife #VisitVaBeach #VaOysterTrail #LoveLE #MarinePatrolJustFollowingOrders

A post shared by On Twitter: @LynnhavenOyster (@pleasurehouseoysters) on

Three Comments we’ve received in support from Aquaculture lovers who understand the importance of a vibrant, vital Aquaculture business in the Commonwealth’s waters.

You’re so very welcome! Happy to educate and assist where I can. Education is the key. I hate seeing you go through this. You’ve done so much and worked so many events to help educate residents on the importance of aquaculture and bringing the oysters back to the Lynnhaven River.

If there is anything I can do to advocate and help you with the good you are doing for the Lynnhaven River and your aquaculture operation please let me know.

No homeowner “owns” the water! It’s there for all of us to enjoy. One would think that a clean waterway would benefit those homeowners and their property values.

If you follow us on Instagram, you already know this is by far the most viewed and Commented Instagram we’ve ever had.

After this Instagram post we were contacted, so far, by local media.

Click to view WTKR coverage

Click to view WTKR coverage

View WAVY’s coverage.

Attend the Workgroup mentioned in the news coverage.

    The Lynnhaven River Oyster Work Group will meet on:

    July 29, 2016 at the Virginia Beach Tidewater Community College campus in the Student Center, Room K-304, from 9 AM until approximately 2:00 PM.

    The Student Center is located at the campus at 1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach, VA 23453. Parking for this meeting will be available behind the Virginia Beach Building (G).

    Get directions at Google Maps here.

We hope you can attend.

Oyster farmers, their families and workers throughout the Lynnhaven and the Commonwealth have been receiving support by phone call, email, social media and in face to face encounters.

It means a lot to us and we appreciate your continued support.

We will share more news about this serious threat to Lynnhaven’s Aquaculture business and how you can help.

The Making Of An Ostreaphile at Epicure & Culture

Posted on by under Photographs, Press, Tasting

Pleasure House Oysters: The Making Of An Ostreaphile Epicure & Culture – Food, Wine & Culture for the Ethical Traveler.

I’d watched them shuck open some unsuspecting barnacle-laden shell, tip it up, and let a pulpy, slimy mass of flesh slide down their throat.
No thanks, I’ll pass.
Until I met the Lynnhaven oyster. Now all bets are off.

“Our theory is based on a three-legged stool of conservations, restoration, and aqua culture,” said Chris. When asked to define aqua theory, he said it’s when you get to eat the bounty, while the other two legs of the stool get built back up. It occurred to me that this is a proverbial win/win/win scenario.

THE LEGENDARY LYNNHAVEN OYSTER.

THE LEGENDARY LYNNHAVEN OYSTER.

GRILLED OYSTERS ANYONE?

GRILLED OYSTERS ANYONE?

We encourage you to view Patti Morrow’s article which includes some great photos of our trip.

Have you had grilled fresh oysters IN the Lynnhaven?

Join us on a Tour. Start here to learn more.

“Or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, head to Pleasure House Oysters on the Lynnhaven for the Chef’s Table Tour.”

Posted on by under Lynnhaven, Photographs, Press, Tasting

5 Reasons to Hit Virginia’s New Oyster Trail This Spring Daily Shot Garden & Gun Blog February 2016.

We’re honored to be mentioned again in Garden & Gun.

You’ll pull on waders and head out onto the river with Captain Chris Ludford for a catered meal at a pop-up table in the shallows with oysters plucked from the water beneath you. It’s BYOB, though; so don’t forget to pack the wine.

Photo credit: Bret & Mary from Green Global Travel

Photo credit: Bret & Mary from Green Global Travel

The south is your oyster – in Southern Living magazine

Posted on by under Enjoy, Photographs, Press, Tasting

Thank you for selecting us to be in Southern Living 50 Best Places in the South Now.

View our mention in Southern Living magazine page 160 in your print version.

Click to view Tours

Have you experienced dining IN the Lynnhaven?

Pleasure House Oysters’ Chef’s Table Tour, offered on the Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach

“The big thing that makes these oysters special is the proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean,” Ludford says as he steers the fiberglass boat, his vivid orange waders providing striking contrast to the brilliant blue sky.

Posted on by under Photographs, Press, Tasting

VIRGINIA: Pleasure House Oysters Helps Restore at Green Global Travel November 2015

“They called their first three winters here ‘the starving times,’” says Ludford, an avid history buff. “The colonists had to live off of what they found because they weren’t able to clear the land for agrarian purposes. So the Chesepian Indians showed them how to live off of the land, particularly deer, fish, and oysters. Back then these oysters were a matter of sustenance, not luxury.”

It was great to meet Bret Love & Mary Gabbett of Green Global Travel !

It was great to meet Bret Love & Mary Gabbett of Green Global Travel !

Pleasure-House-Oysters-Half-Dozen

Read the rest of the outstanding article at Green Global Travel!

Join us on a Tour like Bret & Mary did. Start your experience here.