Of all the time I have spent in Carmel or visited there, I always take time to head to the Crossroads Shopping Center on every trip. Why? Because located there is the Sea Harvest Fish Market & Restaurant.
(This page may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure about affiliate links.)
Also, because there Lauren and I delight in buying some of the freshest seafood available. From shrimp to crab to clams, oysters, calamari and several varieties of fresh – and local – fish can be bought there. We have never been disappointed by the quality of the products purchased there. And when it is in season (usually starting in November), the Dungeness crab is simply exceptional!
The Smell of Fresh Seafood is Pure Ambrosia
On our most recent trip to Carmel, a quick peek at the seafood displayed in Sea Harvest was necessary. As usual, the sights and smells inside were incredible. To clarify, most folks would likely expect a place that sells seafood to smell like… well, fish. Not so with Sea Harvest! Inside, there were only two distinct scents.
One was the smell of cleanliness – like they spend all day just cleaning the place. The other was the smell of the ocean. Hard to describe that smell, but the best solution is to go to Sea Harvest and breathe in. The smell of really fresh seafood – fish, mussels, shrimp, crab – is unmistakable. To me it’s pure ambrosia, as I love seafood!
Lauren and I turned – almost simultaneously – to face each other. I know we were thinking the same thing: Let’s have lunch! There are several tables inside, but on a day warming under a sun- soaked and clear blue sky, a nice table on the front patio of Sea Harvest was calling our name. We had actually never eaten there, and now seemed like a great time to start a new tradition!
First, a Glass of Bernardus Chardonnay
One look at the menu told me that a decision on what to order would not be at all easy… my best suggestion would be for you to go to Sea Harvest’s website and see the menu for yourself. And while you do that, Lauren and I are going to sip on a glass of Bernardus Chardonnay as we decide on what to order. Back in a minute…
We’re baaaack! So, If you took a minute to look at the menu, I’m sure you saw all of the incredible-sounding menu items. If not, take some time to peruse – it’s worth a few minutes of your time. While you were away, we selected, as an appetizer, the Prawn Cocktail. Six jumbo-sized prawns – perfectly cooked – accompanied by a mildly spicy red cocktail sauce and a fresh wedge of lemon. Excellent.
Fresh Sand Dabs with Pico de Gallo
We really got a bit decadent after that… The sun was getting higher, and the day was adding to the warmth we already were enjoying. Lauren and I each decided to get an order of the day’s special: Fish Tacos, made with fresh Sand Dabs.
The ‘Dabs were fried to a gentle crispness and topped with fresh Pico de Gallo (also known as Salsa Fresca), then placed gently but ceremoniously atop what appeared to be a coarse cut seven-grain tortilla. Almost thought I had died and gone to heaven! Oh, and did I mention that we just had to have another glass of Bernardus Chardonnay? Sounds like a two-hour lunch to me!
Extreme Pleasure
When we finished our lunch, I did something I rarely, if ever, do. I walked inside Sea Harvest and asked to speak with the manager. I wanted to tell him of our extreme pleasure with 1) the service, and 2) the incredibly sumptuous and excellent lunch. I wanted him to know how happy and satisfied we were with Sea Harvest, especially the Sand Dabs Fish Tacos. These were possibly the best I have had!
The manager was unfortunately not there at the moment, but I do hope he got the message. If not, I hope someone will tell him of my review. Tablecloths and candles? No. But everything else, including fresh flowers on the table (and very clean wine glasses!) was fabulous and in line with a 4 1/2 – Zin Review of our lunch experience at Sea Harvest. I highly recommend the restaurant, and certainly your fresh seafood!
Your Table is Waiting…
Ralph Pancetta
Sea Harvest Fish Market & Restaurant is located in the Crossroads at 100 A The Crossroads Blvd, Carmel, CA.
