Sea Chest Restaurant

"If you’re looking for seafood with a cult following, look no further than this elegant New England-style eatery. The Sea Chest has been an institution in Cambria since 1975, when Jim and Karen Clarke opened it to rave reviews. Those reviews haven’t changed since. The restaurant sits perched above the ocean, with incredible views of the waves and epic sunsets. But for foodies, the exhibition-style cooking is perhaps the more impressive view. Chefs work in the open at the oyster bar, entertaining guests as they prepare their dishes. Shellfish offerings take the spotlight here, with East Coast and Pacific oysters, New Zealand Green Lip Mussels, and clams dominating the appetizer menu. For mains, the Sea Chest favors simplicity over complexity. A wide variety of just-caught fish can be found on the menu, depending on seasonal availability. That might be halibut, Opah, salmon, swordfish, ono, thresher shark or mahi mahi. Whichever option you choose, Sea Chest chefs lightly broil the fish with lemon and butter, served beside potatoes, fresh vegetables, Boston Clam Chowder or a garden salad. Other specialties include scampi, cioppino, and crab legs. If you like, servers can pair local wines, craft beer, port and sherry to perfection with your meal. But don’t be surprised if a line stretches out the door here; reservations are not accepted, nor are credit cards. Ask anyone, though, and they’ll tell you it’s worth the wait — and the cash."