PEI Seafood in Charlottetown: Mussels, Oysters, Lobster

PEI seafood in Charlottetown means three shellfish above all: mussels, oysters and lobster. Malpeque oysters, PEI blue mussels and steamed lobster with melted butter and lemon are the classic order, and the Fall Flavours site names the same three among the Island's stars. Here is each one, the words you meet on a menu and how to rate the dish.

What are PEI mussels?

PEI mussels are blue mussels grown on lines in the Island's bays, and they are the easiest shellfish to enjoy. They are usually steamed in a pot with wine, garlic, cream or tomato, and served with bread to soak up the broth. A good bowl has plump, tender mussels and a broth worth finishing. Discard any that stay shut after cooking.

What are Malpeque oysters?

Malpeque oysters take their name from Malpeque Bay, on the Island's north shore, and they are the Island's best-known oyster. They are served raw on ice with lemon or a vinegar sauce, and sometimes baked or fried. If you are new to oysters, start with one, chew a little and notice the salt and the sweetness. Ask the kitchen when they were shucked.

What counts as PEI seafood in Charlottetown?

Three things above all: blue mussels, oysters from Malpeque Bay and lobster. The sections below take each in turn, and the rest of the Island's catch, such as scallops and clams, follows the same rules of freshness and simple cooking.

What is PEI lobster?

PEI lobster is usually steamed or boiled and served with melted butter and lemon, the classic way. It can also appear in a roll, a chowder or a pasta. A whole lobster is a messy pleasure, so ask for a bib and a cracker, and take your time. A lobster roll is a simpler way to meet the flavour in a hurry.

How do you read seafood menu words?

"Steamed" and "boiled" mean cooked in water or steam. "Raw bar" means oysters and other raw shellfish served on ice. "Chowder" is a thick soup of seafood, potato and cream. "Market price" means the price changes with the catch, so ask what it is before you decide. "Fresh" is a claim worth a question: where, and when? A kitchen that can answer in a sentence is proud of its supply.

How do you choose between a lobster supper and a restaurant meal?

A community lobster supper is a set meal with a long table and a long tradition, and a restaurant offers a la carte. Neither is better. A supper suits a group that wants a full meal in a friendly hall, and a restaurant suits someone who wants a small plate of something and a glass of water. Check the supper's own page for its season and format, since both are good ways to eat lobster.

What about shellfish allergies?

Shellfish allergies are serious, and a seafood city needs careful habits. Tell the kitchen at once, ask about shared fryers, boards and utensils, and never assume a dish is free of shellfish because it looks plain. Stocks and sauces may contain shellfish. If the kitchen cannot answer, choose another place. No tag in any app replaces a direct answer, and Mosey does not filter places by allergen.

How do you rate a seafood dish fairly?

Rate it on freshness, seasoning and cooking. In the Mosey app only the place and the stars are needed, and you can rate each dish too and add a tag such as Fresh Seafood or Outdoor seating. Rate as you eat by saying what you are having and adding dishes as they arrive. If you are with friends, tag them so they can add their own view. The Dishes page shows the dishes people are loving near you.

How can a list and a badge help?

Make a list called Island seafood, add each place with a note on what to order and invite a friend with a link to add their own. Rating places that share a tag, such as Seafood, builds a badge for that kind of food over time. Follow friends to see what they rate and save in the Friends' picks layer under Explore the map.

Mosey is free for a place to list, places keep more of what they earn than with high-commission apps, and there are no hidden fees for the place.

What makes a good seafood dish stand out?

Look for simplicity and timing. Shellfish needs little: heat, salt, a squeeze of lemon and good butter. A dish that is overcooked, over-sauced or served lukewarm hides what the sea gave it. Notice the smell, which should be fresh and briny and never sharp, and notice the texture, which should be tender. If you are unsure, compare two preparations of the same shellfish at one meal, and write down which you preferred and why.

When is the best time to eat PEI seafood?

Shellfish is available through much of the year, but the best time depends on the species and the kitchen. Lobster seasons are set by area, mussels are farmed and available through most of the year, and oysters are often at their best when the water is cold. Ask the kitchen what is best this week, and treat the answer as a guide. Summer brings crowds and autumn brings a harvest feel, so choose the mood you prefer.

What should you read next?

The guide to finding good food in Charlottetown gives the wider method, the Fall Flavours guide covers autumn and the Halifax lobster roll guide compares a neighbouring city. The Canadian food guides cover the country.

After your first mussel of the trip, open the Mosey app and rate the bowl by name.