The sign in front of Little Pappas Seafood at 3001 S. Shepherd offered a dozen oysters for $7.95. I rubbed my hands in glee as I considered how many I would order. But when the first dozen arrived, my enthusiasm was greatly diminished. The serving platter was heaped with a mountain of crushed ice and the shucked oysters were shoved into it in what was meant to be a fancy display. (Ed. note: This isn't the first time the Pappas family has mucked up Robb's oyster presentation.)

But sadly, the crushed ice was falling all over the oysters and ruining their flavor. The delicate briny oyster liquor had a chlorinated tap water aftertaste. A presentation that ruins the food isn't artful—it's silly. The waitress apologized and took my complaint to the kitchen. If you order oysters on the half shell at Pappas Seafood, I suggest you specify: no ice!

Luckily, lunch wasn't a complete disaster. The second course was a tasty fried oyster salad which I highly recommend.