One Coastal

The original creation of husband-and-wife local farmers, One Coastal quietly established itself years ago as one of Fenwick Island’s secret farm-to-table treasures, surprising guests with locally-sourced coastal fare, which more than satisfied curious diners.  Word spread, visitors from throughout Delmarva started calling, tourists flocked, and a boutique gem migrated into a stunning commercial success, with the food slowly suffering from increased attention to table turnover.  Bold dishes with great flavor and an often intriguing combination of ingredients gave way to more commercially opportunistic entrees, and the former owners retreated to their farm, leaving One Coastal with new management which slightly navigated the kitchen away from its former culinary curiosity.  The food has always remained the draw, and the owner-chef still surprised with creative seafood dishes that provoke many diners to try to score a still difficult reservation. 

For a while, One Coastal struggled between its early culinary promise and the need to satisfy an increasing, but demanding customer base, with restaurant economics seemingly the winner. But we kept dining and kept returning, with the whisper of the James Beard nominated chef in our ear that One Coastal more than earned another coveted star. All along, One Coastal maintained the promise of a neighborhood local star where friends meet at the cozy bar and pick-and-share among the always-changing menu, along with a carefully curated list of special cocktails prepared by one of Delmarva’s master mixologists.  Indeed, the promise to join Delmarva’s growing list of elite restaurants remained, punctuated during our more recent visits with a return to star cuisine. Alas, while One Coastal remains a mini-strip mall oddity with only a handful of tables and an expansive open kitchen, it has achieved another star, joining the ranks of Delmarva’s finest. One Coastal thrills most times, especially with its attention to seafood specials, and diners familiar with the previous iteration are no longer wondering about the former promise that seemed to slip away the past years.  One Coastal has always been on the precipice of great food promise, a restaurant which yearned for a fourth star, achieving it, and then some. 

 

101 Coastal Highway

Fenwick Island, DE 19944

302-537-4790