Fresh Oysters

Inside the oyster’s rough, hard shell is a succulent taste of the sea. Have it with cocktail sauce or a delicate mignonette (vinegar, shallots and pepper).

* Clearwater Seafood: Right now this Pasadena place has Hama Hamas from Washington, Fanny Bays from British Columbia, Caraquets from Nova Scotia and Malpeques from Prince Edward Island. They come with homemade cocktail sauce and a raspberry vinegar mignonette. (Half dozen oysters, $8.85.) Clearwater Seafood, 168 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 356-0959.

* 21 Oceanfront: Here the choices are likely to be Hama Hama, Malpeque, Quilcene, Skookum, Sunset Beach and Olympia. They’re served on crushed ice with homemade cocktail sauce and fresh horseradish. (Half dozen oysters, $10.75.) 21 Oceanfront, 2100 W. Oceanfront (Newport Pier), Newport Beach, (949) 673-2100.

* Water Grill: The choices here run to Caraquet, Cape Breton, Tatamagoche, Hama Hama, Hog Island and wild Maine Belons. They come with a red wine ginger mignonette. Oysters also figure in the two eight-course tasting menus, either garnished with a sliver of truffle served with a special soy-radish sauce and caviar. (Oysters $2 to $3.50 each; shellfish tasting menu, $80; truffle tasting menu, $120.) Water Grill, 544 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 891-0900.

* Bouchon: The selections are Quilcene, Kumamoto, Royale Miyagi, Malepina, Skookum and Olympia. The oysters come on ice with lemon and a Champagne vinegar mignonette. (Oysters, $1.70 each; petit plateau, $18, grand plateau, $30.) Bouchon, 7661 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 852-9400.

* The Hump: You can have your oysters plain (a dash of osetra caviar is extra) or with a salsa of tomatoes, peppers, onion and Japanese citrus pepper. Right now they’re serving Kumamoto and Hama Hama from Washington. (Oysters, $3; with caviar, $6.) The Hump, 3221 Donald Douglas Loop S., Santa Monica Airport, Santa Monica, (310) 313-0977.

* Michael’s: For your appetizer, get a plate of oysters. There are sweet Kumamotos, large and juicy Belons, briny Chesapeakes, smooth Malpeques and Sunset Beaches with their fruity watermelon finish. Dip in cider vinegar mignonette. (Oysters, half dozen $10.50, dozen $21.) Michael’s, 1147 Third St., Santa Monica, (310) 451-0843.