Winter Is the Season of the Sea

And why it is the perfect time for a Plateau de Fruits de Mer at Justin et Daryl

There is a quiet truth understood by fishermen, chefs, and coastal cultures alike: winter is when the sea gives its best.

As temperatures drop, seafood reaches a moment of natural balance. Flavour deepens, texture firms, and sweetness becomes more pronounced. This is not coincidence, but seasonality at work. At Justin et Daryl, winter is when we return to one of the most timeless expressions of French dining: the Plateau de Fruits de Mer.

Why winter seafood tastes better

Cold waters slow growth and concentrate flavour. Shellfish such as oysters, clams, and mussels store more glycogen in winter, becoming plumper, cleaner, and gently sweet. Cold-water fish develop firmer flesh and greater clarity of taste.

Long before modern refrigeration, winter was also the safest time to enjoy seafood. The colder climate preserved freshness naturally: A tradition that shaped European dining habits and explains why oysters were historically enjoyed only in the colder months.

Winter seafood is not just fresher; it is at its peak condition.

The French way: letting the sea speak

The Plateau de Fruits de Mer is not about complexity or heavy sauces. It is about restraint.

Served chilled, arranged with care, and paired simply with lemon, vinaigrette, and good butter, it allows each element to speak for itself. Oysters briny and alive, prawns sweet and firm, shellfish tasting unmistakably of the sea.

This is French bistronomique at its core:

quality ingredients, treated with respect, eaten at the right time.

A winter ritual at Justin et Daryl

In winter, our Plateau de Fruits de Mer becomes more than a dish.. it becomes a ritual!

It is meant for:

• lingering lunches that stretch into the afternoon

• quiet dinners shared over wine and conversation

• moments where dining slows, and appreciation deepens

Rich yet refreshing, indulgent yet light, it offers something rare in cold months: luxury without heaviness.

Why it belongs on our table

At Justin et Daryl, we believe food should follow the seasons, not fight them. Winter calls for warmth, depth, and nourishment; and seafood, when chosen at its best, answers that call beautifully.

The Plateau de Fruits de Mer is our way of honouring winter:

• honouring the sea

• honouring tradition

• honouring the simple pleasure of eating something at its peak

This winter, let the sea be your centrepiece. Raw, refined, and perfectly in season.

À table.