Bites Nearby: Seafood and Italian Cuisine at Sea Basin Restaurant

Overview: Family owned and operated since 1980,  serves up top-quality seafood and Italian-American staples.

Appetizers: The appetizer menu is heavy on seafood with dishes like Baked Clams ($7.95), Fried Calamari ($9.95), Shrimp Scampi ($9.95) and Scungilli Salad ($10.95), but you'll also find Fettucini Alfredo ($8.95), Mozzarella Sticks ($8.95) and even a Fruit Cup ($6.95).

Lobster Bisque ($5.95) and Clam Chowder ($4.50) highlight the soup menu.

Entrees: Main course options are plentiful at Sea Basin, with the menu somewhat divided between Italian specialties and seafood -- with some steaks for good measure.

A variety of veal and chicken dishes ($17.95 - $21.95)  dominate the Italian side of the menu, including preparations like Marsala, Francese, Picatta and Parmagiana. There are also less-usual preparations like Conglaz -- with scallops, flambeed with brandy, butter and cream with a touch of tomato and mushrooms -- and Ricardo -- with fresh tomato, broccoli and mushrooms, flambeed in Marsala wine sauce. All are served with soup or salad and spaghetti.

The pasta menu is standard with Pasta Primavera, Baked Lasagna, Fettuccini Alfredo and Stuffed Shells all costing $16.95, served with soup or salad.

Steaks range from $26.95 for a Boneless Sirloin or Prime Rib to $29.95 for Filet Mignon.

You'll find an even wider variety of seafood on the menu -- everything from Steamed King Crab Legs ($29.95) and Broiled Lobster Tails ($35.95) or Bay Scallops ($20.95) to Cajun Swordfish ($23.95) and Broiled Scrod ($23.95).

There are combination platters if you can't choose just one item. They range in price from $23.95 to $36.95 for the surf and turf.

Fried seafood platters -- including shrimp, flounder, scallops and calamari -- are $19.95. Italian-Style seafood entrees -- mostly marinara or fra diavolo -- are $19.95 to $28.95 depending on the fish.

All seafood entrees are served with soup or salad.

Service: Sea Basin can get busy on weekends, but you can tell this is a family run restaurant, they handle it well.

Signature Dish: Stuffed Twin Lobster Tails stuffed with crab meat ($37.95)

Address: 642 Route 25A, Rocky Point, New York, 11778

Cost: $$