The Oceanaire Seafood Room
| Address: | 400 J St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA |
| Phone: | +1 619-858-2277 |
| Site: | theoceanaire.com |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 5–10PM 5–10PM 5–10PM 5–10PM 5–11PM 5–11PM 5–10PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 5
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A Private User
My boyfriend took me to this restaurant as a surprise dinner for my birthday in mid-March. When I walked in to the seating area, I was surprised. It is very elegant and is not a "jeans and T-shirt" restaurant. I was amazed to see some people there in that attire, like they just got done shopping at the mall and huffed and puffed to the restaurant for a quick dinner. The hosts, in their suits and ties, were very welcoming, as were the servers. When we were seated, we were handed a birthday menu (I believe they have different menus for different occasions, by request) and a wine menu. Their wine menu consisted of various sophisticated wines that are somewhat hard to find at a local "Bev-Mo", but not only that, the wine server was well knowledged in the types, regions, pairing, and tastes of wines. The bottle we picked with our dinner was magnificent (still havent found it sold in regular stores yet). The food was as elegant as the atmosphere. We started off with a mixed platter of veggies, oysters, olives, and pickles for appitizer. I believe bread and butter are served as complimentary "starters" . For entree, I got something called "kid-dynamite" (if I remembered the name correctly). It was fish in a crab-potato mix sauce with cayenne pepper to give it a kick. I loved it and wished I had more room in my tummy to finish the serving. My boyfriend got a steak and mashed potatoes. He loved the steak, the mashed potatoes (mixed with horse-radish) was an interesting taste, but I dont think we would get it again. The dinner ended with a Baked Alaska that was tasteful even for me (since I dont like chocolate cakes). We both had a wonderful time. I was in tears at the table because of the joy and excitement that I was in such a nice restaurant for the first time. I went to the "powder room" to fix my make up and saw towels instead of paper napkins, hand lotion, and other various items for ladies to spruce themselves up with. I love this restaurant and would definitely go back!
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A Private User
I do understand that this restaurant only got the fourth place in 2011. Some major mistakes... The main course was served first and obviously send back, When it came after the starter it was the same dish but heated again. What a major mistake for such a restaurant. Further, after a glass of white wine I ordered a red one. Glasses were not changed but the server just pulled it in the same glass, auch, no michelin stars for such a disaster. I was only with me and apparently that impacts always the service and attention. Anyway, I ordered the three course menu (with selection) but started with oysters. The oysters, four of the,, where absolutely briljant (3 of them). They tasted exactly as you wish they would have tasted in all your previous trials before. Simply state of the art. If you try them, do not spoil them with the sauce they serve along, thats just not good Especially the Bristol ones were magnificent. The crab cake....just brilliant. Let them decide on the wine as they must have been serving this for ages and they know which wine just fits best. The combi was a superb experience. The main course, wild salmon in a "drunken style" was disappointing as it was heated again after it had ben cooked and the taste of the salmon itself was of a bit poor quality, which sometimes happens, but the cook should have noticed. If the salmon is oke and you get a real fresh cooked one served this meal is surprisingly "wild" as you would expect with some type of meat. The dessert I skipped as it was too much. But for only 40 dollars (exept the wine of course) the menu was just amazingly, even the negative items. Try to find this quality in France or Londen and you would pay at least three times more for probably less. Regarding the mistakes made, the location and ambiance are just great, atmosphere is most enjoyable and they should keep it like this, it deserves a 10 with all its mistakes. I will defnitely come back to this plave
MA
Matthew Clendenin
Absolutely does not live up to the hype. My wife and I had an great time, service was great, but the entrees were cooked perfectly, but were somewhat boring conceptually and lacked that explosion of flavor which sets dishes apart. I had the flash fried whole "angry" virginian striped bass. The waiter warned me the fish was "angry and inquired if I enjoyed spicy dishes. I answered in the affirmative and requested the fish be prepared extra "angry." The fish was cooked perfectly, as mentioned above. The flesh was excellently flaky and tender and the skin was nice and crispy. But aside from an apparent salt rub the only flavor on the fish was a meager amount of pure Siracha sauce drizzled on top of the fish with some "spicy" mayo you would expect to see on a sushi roll. Needless to say this topping provided minimal flavor to the dish as a whole aside from not being "angry" at all... what a letdown. On the other hand the oysters were devine! Over 12 different varieties to choose from properly shcucked, no shell bits, and they were nice and firm, fresh and delicious. Perhaps I ordered the wrong dish, but at $45 for my fish alone, served a la carte, I believe it was ok for me to expect much more. If this was not a super expensive restaurant with high standards this MIGHT be a five star rating. However if it werent for the oysters this also MIGHT be a three star rating. So I will stick with four stars, which seems appropriate for this restaurant - nice, what you expect, but somewhat boring and unimpressive at times.
ST
Steve Krasner
Debi and I wanted to try someplace new for seafood dinner date. It was a Saturday night around 9:30 and the place was packed. I figured by that time getting a table would be no problem. One of the valet drivers went in to check on table availability. He returned shortly with the good news that a table was being set of us. The building the restaurant is in has been beautifully refurbished while still maintaining its unique character. Up the elevator to the second flood and the dining area is packed before us, now close to 9:45 PM. We ordered an oyster sampler which was very good and a learning experience. We liked some more then others, but thats why you sample different types of oysters to determine your favorites. The wine was excellent, we shared the seared ahi which was cooked rare and was very tasty. We then shared the tuna poke and was also enjoyed by the two of us. All in all the decor is excellent, food was excellent, the service started out fine but as the evening wore on and we were the last couple in the place service evaporated as closing procedures were underway.
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A Private User
Im not a huge huge fan of seafood, so when my boyfriend wanted to go here for his birthday I was less than ecstatic. Boy was I wrong. This is the best seafood Ive ever had in my life. For appetizers, my boyfriend ordered the oyster sampler, which he loved, and I had the best clam chowder. My entree was one of the most amazing meals Ive ever had in my life. Perfectly cooked fresh salmon with a delicious mix of seasonings, served over cheese-whipped spuds and a garlic/basil (I think) confit, with oven-dried tomatoes on top. mmm The next time we went my meal was great too! I had the fresh swordfish with a port reduction, blueberries and almonds. Excellent service as well. The bus boy accidentally threw away our dish when we asked for it to be boxed, so when we asked our waiter if our food was boxed yet, he brought us a freshly cooked complete order boxed to go! We couldnt believe it. The other time we went the wine that we wanted from the menu was out, so the waiter gave us a more expensive bottle that was similar to the one we wanted at a hooked up price. AMAZING
