Our recent family dinner at Cedar Land + Sea Kitchen in Ocean View, Delaware was phenomenal. From the moment we entered, we were greeted by warm hospitality and a welcoming coastal vibe. By the end of the evening, we all agreed this was a five-star experience from start to finish.
Exceptional Food & Drinks
The menu features a great variety of land and sea options. I kicked things off with a Cucumber Cosmo, recommended by our server, Mary. It was crisp, cool, and perfectly balanced—an excellent way to begin the meal. Next came the French Onion Soup, which my dad and I both ordered. Each spoonful was a revelation: rich broth, plenty of caramelized onions, and that melted cheese blanket on top. It’s easily one of the best French Onion soups we’ve ever had.
My mom’s starter was the Arugula, Beet, and Goat Cheese salad. The flavors balanced beautifully: earthy beets, peppery greens, and tangy goat cheese, all united by a house-made vinaigrette. This dish demonstrated how Cedar pays close attention to fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation.
For our main course, my dad and I shared the Paella. Served in a hot skillet, it was stacked high with seafood and meats—shrimp, scallops, mussels, crab, chicken, and chorizo. The saffron rice soaked up all the delicious juices, while the chorizo added a pleasant smoky note. We loved the lively mix of flavors and textures, and it was a generously sized dish.
My mom’s choice, the Stuffed Portabella Mushroom, was a vegetarian triumph. The roasted mushroom cap was loaded with a sweet potato and black bean filling, drizzled with a savory tahini sauce. Even as meat-lovers, we found it richly satisfying—proving that Cedar knows how to please every palate.
We were consistently impressed by the quality and presentation of each dish. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and carefully crafted. The French Onion Soup and Stuffed Portabella are now household favorites.
Cozy Coastal Ambiance
Cedar Land + Sea Kitchen has a warm, inviting interior that perfectly suits its coastal location. The décor is charming—clean, bright, and subtly nautical. We found it easy to settle in and enjoy our food, and despite the lively atmosphere, we could converse comfortably. It felt wonderfully welcoming, which made our visit all the more enjoyable.
Top-Notch Service
The service was outstanding. Mary, our server, was attentive, kind, and knowledgeable. She regularly checked on us, refilled drinks without prompting, and ensured our meal flowed seamlessly. Her menu suggestions were excellent and showcased the pride Cedar’s team takes in their offerings. We never felt rushed, and the pacing was spot-on.
Already Planning Our Next Visit
By the end of dinner, we knew we’d found a new family favorite. Cedar Land + Sea Kitchen delivered on every front—flavorful dishes, cozy atmosphere, and superb service. Whether you crave a comforting soup, a top-notch seafood specialty, or a creative vegetarian entrée, Cedar has you covered.
Although we were too full to sample dessert, we’re already looking forward to trying their sweet treats next time around. This restaurant is a true gem in Ocean View, Delaware. Whether you’re local or visiting the area, do yourself a favor and dine at Cedar Land + Sea Kitchen—you’ll leave with a full belly and a happy heart. Five stars...
Read moreAbsolutely AMAZING!! My husband and I, along with some friends, recently visited this wonderful new restaurant and couldn't possibly be more delighted! From the minute we walked in we were impressed with the beautiful and tasteful décor that instantly transformed the space and created a warm and inviting ambiance that established a very welcoming and comfortable vibe.
The super-friendly and engaging staff greeted us immediately and although there was a wait, checked on us several times to ensure we were comfortable, keeping us informed about the progress of our table, and asked if we needed anything while waiting.
The bar service while waiting was fabulous! Great drinks with “Jack” and “Matt” who were not only very engaging, keeping us entertained while waiting, but also concocted absolutely delightful cocktails that made the wait pass very quickly.
The service was outstanding and while that alone made our experience phenomenal, the positively scrumptious menu knocked it out of the park! It was actually difficult to decide from the many delectable choices on the adorable and well-thought-out menu that was artfully displayed on a cedar plank.
We shared several appetizers including the delicious crab dip, yummy baked Brie and the tasty tomato-feta-basil crostini. They were all fantastic, but my favorite was the grilled jerk shrimp! These were large jerk-seasoned, grilled shrimp and grilled pineapple with a curry coconut mango drizzle and were to die for.
For our main course, my husband chose the Cedar Paella which consisted of large shrimp and scallops, mussels, crab, chicken and chorizo, seasoned with capers, fresh garlic and spices, saffron rice, very tender and perfectly sautéed vegetables and green peas. It was as beautiful and it was tasty and delicious! He is still raving about it. I am a steak girl and chose the NY Strip. It was grilled to perfection, very flavorful and served with garlic-basil mashed redskins that literally melted in my mouth. The wait staff was very knowledgeable about the menu, made great suggestions and assisted us with wine pairing that was perfect.
I feel pricing was very fair and spot on for the quality of the cuisine and experience we received. My only regret is that I did not get to experience dessert…as I was splitting at the seams from the generous dinner portions.
Overall, I would give Cedar two thumbs up and 5 stars! Again, there was a little bit of a wait, but that is undoubtedly to be expected this time of year and honestly, I would wait 10 times longer if necessary because it was TOTALLY worth it!! We are already talking about our...
Read moreWe ate at Cedar tonight which had been one of our favorite restaurants until now. Unfortunately it was due to the hostess - not the food or waitress - and we do not intend to go back. We arrived at 5:05 pm the restaurant a little early for a 5:15 pm reservation with my elderly parents. There was one table seated and others sitting at the bar which was full. The hostess told us that we would have to wait to be seated for about 10 minutes because she had 5:00 reservations she would need to seat when they arrived. I am not sure why she was unable to seat us at that time and what difference it made - the people who had the 5:00 pm reservation were not even there yet. 2 more groups came in - both with 5:15 pm reservations - and she told them the same thing. We all stood crowding the front entrance area while we all waited for her 5:00 pm reservations to arrive. We were finally seated at 5:15 pm and the other 2 groups were seated right after. Now there were 4 tables seated and the people with the 5:00 reservation were still not there. She was not friendly, quite rude, and continued to tell people coming in the same thing - again making no sense.
Last year I had made a reservation for 4 people and one of the people in the party could not go because they had become ill. When we arrived, she asked where our 4th was and I told her he had become ill and could not attend. She then told us that we should have changed the reservation and that they would need to charge us for the no show! I again explained he was sick and could not come at the last minute and that should have zero effect on the seating since a table for 3 is the same as one that seats 4 and we were not a "no show". She "let it slide" but still berated us for changing the number without calling.
I gave it 2 stars because our waitress Mary was awesome, and the food was good. However, the hostess ruined the night and I doubt we will be back which is unfortunate. The gentleman who owns the restaurant is great and it truly could have been a...
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