Coach's Crab Shack has opened a new location in Cheat Lake recently. The original location is on Collins Ferry Road, a bit out of the way for most folks. A lakeside space just makes sense for this seafood restaurant.

The dining space is large and open. Bright teals and yellows accent the space, with some fishing-themed trinkets scattered about. Outside, there is a lovely deck that overlooks the lake. Unfortunately, all those spots were taken up when we visited. I can see why, though. A sunset while sipping bloody marys and eating seafood? That sounds lovely.

Vicki and I got an appetizer of peel and eat shrimp. Correction - Vicki got the appetizer and was so kind as to let me scarf down a few pieces. The shrimp were seasoned with old bay lemon and had a nice cocktail sauce that had some heat to it. These were really, really good. The shrimp were plump, that cocktail sauce was perfect.

For my entree, I built my own steamer. They recommend three shellfish options with corn and potatoes/fries for a single person. I was trying to be a bit more calorie conscious (lolz despite everything doused in butter), so I got 1/3 lb. shrimp, 1/2 lb. scallops and 1/2 lb. snow crab. All of that in the "garlic herb butter."

It all came served in this plastic bag just steamed with butter. I liked that I could pluck the scallops right out first. Could use more of a sear, but still good. Then the shrimp were the same that were in the appetizer. A little more work to peel - but worth it when all that flavor is trapped inside the shell. And then a good bit more work is the crab. Luckily, Vicki is used to me being ridiculous because I was making a mess. But it was so worth it. Nice hunks of fresh crab meat pulled out from those shells. Delicious.

Vicki was less impressed with her crab cakes, but I have yet to try those.

Grade: A