At Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette, open less than a year on California's Central Coast, local seafood is front and center. In the tiny town of Marina, basically a suburb of Monterey's tourist hub, and part of the luxe oceanfront hideaway The Sanctuary, Salt Wood Kitchen is an instant classic for simply prepared oysters, crab, halibut, salmon and squid—whatever is in season and freshest that day. Kim WestermanStart with oysters shucked to order—raw or wood-grilled with kimchi butter, and a side of homemade Parker House rolls. Selection is seasonal; we enjoyed Marin Miyagis from up the coast in Tomales Bay, dressed with "bloody Mary" mignonette and crunchy, caviar-like finger lime. This preparation, with chickpeas, chorizo, kale, preserved lemon and romesco sauce was among the best I've ever tasted.

Source: Forbes March 21, 2018 19:52 UTC