Tucked away in the quaint seafaring town of Bayville is the beautiful Crescent Beach Club, a premier beachfront catering hall. What many people don’t know is that there is a fabulous restaurant open to the public seven days a week serving lunch, dinner, small plates, sushi and brunch.
Ocean, as it is called, is like being at a great Florida or Caribbean resort. The main dining terrace overlooks a sandy beach, spectacular panoramic views of the Long Island Sound and palm trees! If you are planning a staycation this summer and want to feel like you’ve been away, Ocean should be at the top of your list.
I had the opportunity to enjoy lunch there on a spectacular weather day — blue sky, palm trees swaying in the breeze and water lapping over the sand. It was the perfect setting for the “ménage à trois,” a delicious raw bar appetizer for two. For $55 you get a ½ dozen little neck clams, a ½ dozen Blue Point oysters, two jumbo shrimp cocktail and a half whole lobster served with two sauces.
Other appetizers include: jerk chicken tacos with mango slaw and lime sour cream; seared ahi tuna, and crab cake sliders. For entrées, there are fish and chips, skirt steak, crispy skin salmon and a lobster roll, to name a few.
For dinner, selections include lemongrass pan seared sea scallops, buttermilk fried chicken, rib-eye steaks and lobster mac and cheese.
Sunday brunch is offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and has everything from eggs to lobster on the menu. Small plates and cocktails are offered in the sunset lounge and deck, and sushi is served seasonally. Did I mention dessert? I had a decadent chocolate peanut butter bar with peanut butter dust, but I’ve heard the pretzel cheesecake with pretzel brittle is pretty spectacular too.
Some upcoming events at Ocean include happy hour Monday through Friday 4 – 6:30 p.m. where you can get half price bar drinks and sushi at the sunset lounge, and Thursday lobster night, which serves three courses for $38 and includes a complimentary glass of beer or wine. And don’t be afraid to bring the kids. Sunday is family night; kids can eat from a special children’s menu for just $3.33. Parents receive a free glass of wine or beer with their entrée.
Looking for plans for July 4? Ocean is offering an elegant three-course meal for $125 per person while watching the fireworks. Reservations are required for this adult-only event.
So if you are vacationing at home this summer, take a ride over to Ocean in Bayville.
