All that and a Bucket of Oysters: Oysterfest Feb. 25th and 26th
On most mornings, you can find Sam Weyman posted up at a table on the main level of his restaurant, The Steamhouse Lounge and Fuel Dock. With a plastic bar cup filled with coffee that he drinks with a little Sweet n’Low, he’s a character to say the least.
If you look closely, you can see his cup of coffee!
A native Atlantan, Sam grew up in the Midtown/Ansley Park area. His favorite venue is the Fox Theatre, and his favorite restaurant (besides his own) is “The Varsity,” he says, as though it’s obvious, where he gets “onion Rings, a pimento cheese steak, and a chili dog all the way.” Spoken like a true Atlantan. He’s ventured to New York, Key West, and Charleston, but he always comes back.
What do you think Atlanta has that other cities don’t? “Nothing. I’ve tried to get away from it. It’s like the Godfather,” he explains, with a look of frustration and a sigh of acceptance. Eventually, Sam gave up on getting away, and Atlanta wouldn’t be the same without him. Now, he owns several successful restaurants in the Atlanta area, but Steamhouse is clearly “his baby.”
In 1986, Sam and his partners opened the Steamhouse in Buckhead. When asked why he opened a seafood joint, he said, “Well, we had a big patio, and it seemed like the perfect place for raw oysters and cold beer.” Now, Steamhouse resides in Midtown, and while the location may have changed, the laid back atmosphere hasn’t.
Steamhouse is also known for the lobster bisque, crab dip, and their curious signature drink, the Goombay Smash; it’s a concoction made of three fruit juices and three different rums, i.e. a recipe for a good time. This week, they’ll be receiving 800 bags of oysters, “about half a semi truck,” Sam explains, and setting up for Oysterfest 2012, which is happening this weekend, Saturday, February 25th and Sunday, February 26th.
They’ll have live music, more oysters than you can eat, cold beer, and of course, plenty of Goombay Smash! It’s the most fun party in Midtown! Any other Oysterfest is an impostor!
If you can’t make it out this weekend, don’t worry. Steamhouse is open 364 days of the year; every single day except for Super Bowl Sunday. What they like to call, “their employee Christmas party.”
Sam is one of the most real people you’ll ever meet. He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s got a heart of gold. His friends describe him as a teddy bear, and if you’re ever lucky enough to sit down with him over a cup of coffee or a couple or three beers, you’ll know exactly what they’re talking about. You never know, maybe he’ll even tell you why they call it a Goombay Smash.
To find out more about the Steamhouse Lounge and to buy tickets to Oysterfest, go to www.SteamhouseLounge.com.
Article by: Lindley Knight