Harvey Cedars Shellfish Company, Long Beach Island – Locals and visitors to LBI don’t consider Memorial Day weekend the beginning of summer. The season is officially here when the Harvey Cedars Shellfish Company opens, which occurred over Mother’s Day weekend. From its humble beginnings in a 1920s-era beach house, this uber-casual BYOB fish house has been turning out perfectly prepared and mostly locally caught fish and shellfish for nearly 40 years.
Start with calamari Vera Cruz – crispy, flash fried rings and tentacles with sautéed Jersey tomatoes, cherry peppers, garlic and parmesan cheese – which has become a signature appetizer. The day boat scallops – you can tell because the day boat variety caramelizes under the broiler, while water-packed scallops won’t – are outstanding because of the simplicity in preparation with just a touch of lemon and butter.
A trio of baked jumbo shrimp amply stuffed with lump crabmeat is another example of the less-is-more (taste) prep style. And you’ll never miss with a simple steamed lobster – they’ve got all sizes.