Oyster shed named one of the manliest places to eat
7:00pm Wednesday 2nd November 2011
A RESTAURANT in West Mersea has been listed among Britain’s “manliest” places to eat.
The Company Shed made Esquire magazine’s guide to macho eateries around the UK.
Describing the seafood restaurant, in Coast Road, it says “a shack overlooking the oyster beds is primal eating at its best.
“The native oysters are majestic and the crab fresh landed.”
It is the only Essex restaurant to make the list.
Assistant manager Tim Haward said: “It is nice to get some recognition.
“I think we were chosen because we are not pretentious – it is just all about the food.
“You get to crack open the shellfish with your hands, which I suppose is quite primal.
“Having said that, the majority of staff here are women.
“We don’t get more men than women eating here. Our customers are foodies, who like to keep it simple.”
The restaurants were selected by the magazine’s food editor, Tom Parker Bowles.
Alex Bilmes, Esquire editor, said: “Too often fine dining means fussy, frilly, feminine finger food.
“The manliest restaurant list celebrates kitchens which produce hearty, wholesome, red-blooded cooking.
“Because, while we’ve got nothing against salad, per se, real men want real food.”
The Company Shed was opened 25 years ago by Heather Haward.
Heather’s oysterman husband, Richard, catches shellfish for the menu and most of the produce is caught by local companies.
Their family has been a leading name in oyster harvesting since the 1700s.
It is currently managed by their daughter Caroline Haward.
There is no booking system and diners bring their own bread and drink to enjoy with their meal.