This article appeared in the May 28th Issue of TV Times
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By David Maull
TV Times

Views of the ocean and bay are common at restaurants along the Delaware shore, but precious few allow customers to observe local fishermen guiding their vessels in and out of the harbor and unloading their catch at the end of the day.

Perhaps that's why the Lighthouse restaurant, located on Fisherman's Wharf in Lewes, has been a local institution for 16 years.

"There's just a difference between being located on the water and being located here on Fisherman's Wharf," Lighthouse owner Paul Buchness said. "There's always activity here."

During a visit to the Lighthouse, one can expect to see boats of all sizes moving along the canal. A nearby weigh station may also provide a close-up view of a freshly-caught marlin or tuna.

Earlier this month, the Kalmar Nyckel, a recreation of a 17th century Swedish ship, wasdocked on the opposite side of the canal.

"There's a window everywhere you look," Buchness said of his dining room. "It's a great setting. There's more to see and do."

Factor in a menu that in-cludes a variety of fresh seafood en-trees and you've got one of the finest restaurants at the beach.

"We're kind of a family-oriented destination," Buchness said.

Buchness has been with the Lighthouse since the beginning, working as a cook when the restaurant first opened in 1982 under the ownership of Dale Parsons.

He was promoted to general manager the following year and served in that capacity until purchasing the restaurant in 1991.

"I think probably after several years I thought I'd like to own the business," said Buchness, who had no previous plans to own a restaurant. "The longer I worked here ... the more I knew it was part of my everyday life."

Stationed at the foot of the Lewes drawbridge, the Lighthouse serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

The dinner menu features a variety of seafood entrees, including stuffed lobster tail, crab cakes, crab imperial and seafood marinara. Other favorites are the Chesapeake crab soup and the "Seaside Salad," which has sauteed shrimp and scallops and fresh crab meat served over a garden salad.

Buchness noted crab meat is delivered daily from Crisfield, Md. and a local fisherman provides the catch of the day.

"We try to keep it as fresh as we can," he said.

Lunch and dinner menus also include chicken and beef entrees and barbecued ribs.

A large barbecue on the dock serves up hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs and grilled tuna on summer weekends for those wanting to sit on the outdoor deck.

Lighthouse's other specialty is bread baked fresh each day. Breads and dinner rolls come in a variety of flavors and the homemade sticky buns are a favorite among the breakfast crowd.

That commitment to freshness is at the core of Lighthouse's success - along with a nice view.

"You have to carve out a niche for yourself," Buchness said.

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