A diner from Phoenix, AZ
Feb 22, 2010
I went to Ocean Club with high expectations: it was promoted to me as one of the top (variously top 10 or top 20) seafood restaurants in the United States. I am not sure whether this exalted ranking reflects poorly on the ranker or the state of American seafood restaurants.
My dining experience was on a Thursday evening and the first impression was the sheer din in the place. The place was hopping at high decibels and this made table conversation impossible at less than a shout even though our table was somewhat removed from the main fray.
Perhaps Ocean Club is assuming that they are really running a singles bar and as such, the glut of hormones obscures the deficiencies in food and service.
Salads at Ocean Club seem to primarily consist of vast quantities of iceberg lettuce - a half head per person, slightly scooped out with a spoon of something unidentifiable dropped in the center. Since when did iceberg lettuce escape from low budget chain restaurants?
My 2 pieces of grilled red snapper were reminiscent of something I might prepare at home if I was rushed, hungry and not particular. Both pieces were dry and one piece was oddly bitter. The other piece was merely unremarkable.
Vegetables on the side were palatable, but in too miniscule a quantity to substitute as a complete meal.
Service veered between obsequious and AWOL. Sometime after completing our entrees, we lassoed our waiter who then chummily regaled us at length with a detailed description of deserts. He closed by saying that he would be right back for orders. After disappearing for over 30 minutes, he returned without excuse or apology and acted miffed that we had by then given up on desert.
Ordinarily I don’t do restaurant reviews for underachieving establishments, but this was such an unappealing, far overpriced experience that it merited something besides just not returning.
Note that the single stars given in several categories need an asterisk. I’d have used less if there was an option.
My dining experience was on a Thursday evening and the first impression was the sheer din in the place. The place was hopping at high decibels and this made table conversation impossible at less than a shout even though our table was somewhat removed from the main fray.
Perhaps Ocean Club is assuming that they are really running a singles bar and as such, the glut of hormones obscures the deficiencies in food and service.
Salads at Ocean Club seem to primarily consist of vast quantities of iceberg lettuce - a half head per person, slightly scooped out with a spoon of something unidentifiable dropped in the center. Since when did iceberg lettuce escape from low budget chain restaurants?
My 2 pieces of grilled red snapper were reminiscent of something I might prepare at home if I was rushed, hungry and not particular. Both pieces were dry and one piece was oddly bitter. The other piece was merely unremarkable.
Vegetables on the side were palatable, but in too miniscule a quantity to substitute as a complete meal.
Service veered between obsequious and AWOL. Sometime after completing our entrees, we lassoed our waiter who then chummily regaled us at length with a detailed description of deserts. He closed by saying that he would be right back for orders. After disappearing for over 30 minutes, he returned without excuse or apology and acted miffed that we had by then given up on desert.
Ordinarily I don’t do restaurant reviews for underachieving establishments, but this was such an unappealing, far overpriced experience that it merited something besides just not returning.
Note that the single stars given in several categories need an asterisk. I’d have used less if there was an option.
