I grew up in Louisiana—buying fresh shrimp from the guys that sold it from coolers on the side of the road, and listening to the stories my father, who worked as a rural sociologist for LSU studying oyster fisherman down in Houma, would tell. Needless to say, the disaster that is the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is really hitting home for me. (Not that the continuous loop on the news of turtles covered in sludge wouldn't have made an impact.)

There's a part of me that thinks that people should just give money where it's needed, rather than have to be persuaded with a secondary reason. But the June 10-12 "Dine Out for the Gulf" list of restaurants is a very persuasive list. The impressive roster of SF-based restaurants are all doing their part to help benefit The Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund (if not simply support Gulf seafood in general).

Some of the participants include Delfina, Hog Island Oyster Bar, Maverick, Incanto, Front Porch, RN74, The Slanted Door, Heavens Dog, Bi-Rite Market, Nombe, Boulette’s Larder, Wexler’s, Contigo and Bix.

Make your plans now for this Thursday, Friday and Saturday. And order up some seafood in an effort to help save it.

(Oh, and should you want to just send money directly and forgo the calories, click here.)