GREAT EATS HAWAII: THE SEA CHEST OYSTER BAR AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

FRESH CLAMS WERE DELICIOUS

THE SEA CHEST
OYSTER BAR AND SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
MOONSTONE BEACH, CA

When my Dad and his lovely bride Heidi suggested we eat at their favorite Cambria Seafood restaurant just hours after a Chemo Therapy we were surprised. Sounds great if Dad is up for it we said. Turns out this place does not accept reservations. When we arrived just after 5:30 pm. there was a huge line waiting to get in. I have never seen anything like this. Dozens of people in warm jackets lined up in the parking lot. All calm and in good spirits. The lined moved quickly after the doors opened and we were seated at a nice table in the back of the restaurant. Perfect place away from the busy and loud Oyster Bar area. I loved the homey feel of this place. Like being in someones home. The service was great with the waiters and waitress always doing their best to make sure we were happy. Yes were were. Very happy. When you consider the wave of diners that enter the place when it opens, I was surprised that the food came out so quickly. This is a top notch operation with many years of experience. The meal started with some hot sour dough rolls with butter. I ordered a bowl of Clam Chowder. It was thick and creamy but lacked a whole lot of clams. Good flavor. The Clams and Oysters were shucked fresh and were delicious. My Cioppino was FANTASTIC! There was enough in the bowl to serve three people. I barely put a dent in this tomato based soup filled with Calamari, small Scallops, Shrimp, Crab and several types of fish. The broth was amazing. I could have sit there for hours sipping the broth. Best I have ever had. The others at the table enjoyed fresh fish selections. This is the kind of place that I wish we had in Hawaii. I would go back here again and again and try just about everything on the menu.