This review has been awhile in the making, but I just haven’t wanted to sit down and really give it the time it deserves. About a month ago we did a quick 24 hours in Baltimore to get away from the hustle that is every day life. I looked around online for places to eat a nice meal and settled on Oceannaire [website has obnoxious music] because it got relatively decent reviews and was within walking distance of the hotel.
The decor of the restaurant was pretty nice; I’d best describe it as Morton’s with a distinct art deco flair. We were dressed in business casual but there were also folks in jeans as well as jacket and tie so it was somewhat impossible to feel out of place. The service was exceptional, with the white jacketed waiters striking that perfect balance between being helpful with recommendations and leaving us alone. Our wine glasses were never empty and up-sale was not a part of their vocab, even when we declined dessert (more on that in another post).
I’m always somewhat hesitant to try out chains because a lot of them end up with the same “American” menu and very rarely do they differentiate themselves. Surprised I’d never heard of this chain, especially since there’s one in NW DC, I figured it was worth a shot. Generally speaking, the food surpassed my expectations and I think I’m comfortable tagging it as outstanding. Not everything was completely memorable so I’ll hit some highlights.
- They brought out of pickled veggies and ceviche to start. This was pretty good but considering the amount of food we’d ordered, we didn’t eat it all before it was whisked away.
- We started with a cold mountain of shellfish; you can find a pic on my Facebook page if you really care. It was pretty good, but I’ve had better at Capital Grille. A few things, like the snow crab, didn’t have much flavor. Considering the price, I wouldn’t order it again.
- Melissa had grilled sea scallops and reported they were very fresh and prepared nicely. I didn’t try them so I can’t really comment.
- My main was seared yellowfin tuna which I ordered against the waiter’s recommendations of having it sashimi style. I love me some raw fish but I also like the sesame seed crust on the outside. As you can see in the pic above, it was mostly raw anyway… in other words, cooked perfectly. This dish also marked the first time I’d had real wasabi. No, not the dried powder crap you get with sushi but grated wasabi root. Holy crap was it awesome.
- I also splurged and ordered a side dish of foie gras. It was something like $17 for 5 thick slices, which is an incredible value, so I couldn’t pass it up. It was creamy and tasted a bit of egg yolk but lacked that gamey taste that the poor quality stuff sometimes boasts. Pan fried in butter and served with toast points, it’s some of the best I’ve had.
- Three words: Lobster Mac & Cheese