Insider Pages Reviews for Ocean Ave Seafood

1 Stars: Not a Budget Date as Citysearch declares! (by cjr4)

cjr4 — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:00:00 GMT

I rated this as a One Star because it's on Citysearch list of Budget Dates...are you f****en kidding me?! This is one of the priciest restaurants in SM/W. LA.

Hey Citysearch, why don't you do a better job at separating Church and State and come up w/ some original and worthy reviews of your own lists rather than blatantly patronize your sponsors.

Yelp it is!

5 Stars: Amazing Experience (by misscatharina)

misscatharina — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Such an amazing experience. The staff is friendly and the restaurant is cozy and clean. The food is amazing. I would highly recommend this establishment to anyone!

Thank you for giving my husband and I such an amazing experience. We will be back!

1 Stars: Ocean Ave Bites the Dust (by sally wells c.)

sally wells c. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:44:00 GMT

What once was my super favorite restaurant has become an over-priced, egocentric, snob spot. The Cioppino was sadly lacking in a rich assortment of seafood (what? no shrimp, no scallops, no flavor) and served with no place to discard mussel and crab shells. When there was one small crust of bread left on the table halfway thru our meal, the waiter was highly indignant that we asked for another serving. He hovered at the outset of our visit when we told him that we'd like to enjoy our cocktails and look over the menu. Then, when we would like to have had some service (namely a glass of water), he was nowhere to be found. Never again.

5 Stars: Best Seafood and Steak and Oysters and View and Service AND.... (by MrTastes)

MrTastes — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Get with it, this place is the best little secret in the town. No frills, just the bomb food. Go at sunset with a date, get some oysters and wine, and thank me.

4 Stars: Great food (by Linda D.)

Linda D. — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:44:00 GMT

I had the Cioppino here and absolutely loved it! The prices are a little higher but it's worth it. The table we were at faced the beach, and was in just the right position to people watch, which was nice entertainment! I loved the food and the service was great.

5 Stars: Very beatiful seafood, absolutely fresh! (by jarroddiaz)

jarroddiaz — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I can eat seafood all day long, I love it. I went to Ocean Ave. Seafood for dinner the other day and was blown away! First we sat at the oyster bar and watched the guy serve up live oysters on the half shell and they were awesome! I don't really see a place where you can sit and watch that and eat them while having a nice white wine to accompany it! For dinner I had shrimp that was stuffed with crabmeat, nicely seasoned roasted potatoes and crisp sauteed vegetables. I'll definately be back!

1 Stars: Wish I had read the reviews before trying this restaurant (by ConstanceRodin)

ConstanceRodin — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

While Ocean Avenue Seafood has valet parking, a nice view, excellent shellfish, and some good menu selections, it is expensive and poorly managed. Our party waited an inordinate length of time to be waited on, to be told that they were 'out' of several selections. Non fish items were mediocre, portion sizes small, and it was obvious that the restaurant itself is poorly managed.

3 Stars: Disappointing (by santam)

santam — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:00:00 GMT

I love seafood and this place had come highly recommended from a friend, but I was very disappointed. The fish was plain, tasteless and expensive. I won't return.

3 Stars: Not enough quality to justify the high prices (by legalspiegel)

legalspiegel — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT

This place is in a great location and looks very nice inside. However, the very high prices do not match the quality of the food or the service. The appetizers were okay, very small salads. Seaweed salad was interesting. Clam chowder was watery, but the crackers helped. The appetizers and the main course took a looooong while arriving. Once the main course arrived, it was cold. The food tasted okay but was nothing special. The fish was a bit dry. Overall, we were not impressed. If we are in the area again, we will not be eating here.

4 Stars: Good Seafood (by Monica L.)

Monica L. — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:04:00 GMT

My husband and I checked out Ocean Ave Seafood because of the reviews here. It was also highly recommended by the front desk at our hotel. The seafood dishes we tried were all excellent (manila clams, shrimp fettuccine, crab cakes, fresh oysters, perfectly cooked salmon) and the mixed drinks were also very good. The cost may be a bit steep for the quantity of food you get but it was delicious. I didn't have any issues with the service.

4 Stars: Been eating here for 15 years! (by rightonman)

rightonman — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

They always have had great seafood here. I always order the special and been happy with everything.

5 Stars: Great place (by jessmcd)

jessmcd — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:00:00 GMT

My husband and I checked out Ocean Ave Seafood because of the reviews here. It was also highly recommended by the front desk at our hotel. The seafood dishes we tried were all excellent (manila clams, shrimp fettucine, crab cakes, fresh oysters, perfectly cooked salmon) and the mixed drinks were also very good. The cost may be a bit steep for the quantity of food you ge but it was delicious. I didn't have any issues with the service.

5 Stars: Fabulous Crab Legs (by scotty1527)

scotty1527 — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:00:00 GMT

We had a wonderful experience at Ocean Avenue Seafood last weekend. From the moment we entered the restaurant, the staff was firendly, pleasant and professional. It seemed like they really enjoyed working there. The General Manager, Chris Hopgood, even came to our table to see how things were. The crab cakes, oysters and grilled shrimp were excellent. Both the bartender and waiter were very knowledgable about the wines, which we found reasonably priced. The service was excellent. There was the perfect gap of time between the completion of the appetizers and the arrival of the entrees. Our water glasses were never empty and we never had to pour our own wine (the waiter was very attentive). Overall it was an excellent experience.

4 Stars: High Quality Seafood & Excellent Service (by tking192)

tking192 — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

My girlfriend and I went to Ocean Ave for the first time in a while last night. The bartender was one of the best in LA as we were greeting immediately and she knew her wines. We moved onto dinner where the great service was maintained. We split the blue cheese and walnut salad which was great. Our server was not scared to steer us in the right direction on dinner which I really appriciate. We both ordered the Alaskan King Crab legs which were such a treat. I subbed the sweet corn for the potatoes and highly suggest this if you go. We must have said to each other during dinner, why don't we come here more often? The only negative I could say is it is not a over done stylish decor so the ambiance is not trendy, but in some ways that is it's strenght too. It does not try to be something it is not. It is just high quality seafood in a simple clean and quiet environment. This is perfect for a night of good food and good conversation as trendy places tend to be so loud that chatting over dinner can be a strain. High marks for Ocean Ave.

5 Stars: Classic cuisine w/ Ocean Front View (by hobbyist)

hobbyist — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I recently dined at Ocean Ave. Seafood with some friends from out of town. It was recommended by a concierge at the hotel my guests stayed at and I couldn't be more grateful. Ocean Ave. Seafood is in a perfect venue that has a patio that overlooks the ocean. I was greeted by friendly hostesses and did not have to wait for my reservation. We sat on the patio and after a few minutes, a manager came by with a small complimentary appetizer sent by the concierge! Wow! It was a bite size (heck, it was free) tuna tartar on small coins of cucumber with seasoning and sauce. The manager explained that this item is not on our menu, but they work together with the concierge to present something special and unique to out of town customers. I thought that was pretty cool. Anyway, the menu is mostly seafood, of course, and a massive winelist is on the back of the paper menu. The winelist is extremely extensive and I got the impression that quality took precedence over name brands due to the absence of bigger wineries. Most of the stuff I did not recognize, but what I did recognize, I knew to be smaller artesianal wineries that packed much more value for your buck. Even the beer selections reflected this - I love that stuff.

We started out with oysters (along with the wine sampler) after the complimentary offering and they were delicious. The freshest oysters I've ever tasted. Then we ordered a bottle of Pinot Noir (called 'Kynsi" which was absolutely incredible! ) with dinner. I had the Halibut and my guests had the Surf & Turf and the Salmon. All were cooked perfectly and had good sized portions. After finishing, we did not have room for dessert although it was explained that they offered many home made creations.

Overall, the experience was memorable and delicious. The service was impeccable and I could not have asked for anything more. I can't wait to go back.

3 Stars: horrible first impression, food made it better (by rob_nicholl)

rob_nicholl — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I recently took my out of town relatives to lunch at Ocean Ave., and almost left as soon as I walked in. The hostess was so rude to us, that it almost made me leave. She was condescending and plain nasty. We ended up staying, because we were on a time crunch, or else i would have taken them elsewhere. The waitress was fine. the food was good for the most part. The tuna tartare was excellent. The seared ahi was bland. The crab cakes were really good. The beet salad was wonderful. The fish chowder was just ok. My initial opinion of the restaurant was bad based on the attitude of the hostess, but the food made the experience alright.

2 Stars: If you like dining with tourists & happy hour crawlers...... (by cafoodie)

cafoodie — Thu, 24 May 2007 09:00:00 GMT

It used to be a great seafood restaurant for pretty casual dining. It has pretty much turned into a tourist trap/pick-up joint. There are tons of other great seafood places in Santa Monica. Save your money for The Galley (classic Santa Monica seafood), or the Lobster (best view in the city).

5 Stars: Oysters Oysters Happy Hour oh did I say Oysters (by everyonesacritic1)

everyonesacritic1 — Thu, 17 May 2007 09:00:00 GMT

If you're an oyster fan, this is the place to go. Ocean Avenue Seafood has at least 9 different oysters on their menu at all times. Some from the East Coast and some from the West Coast. Their Oyster Bar is manned by friendly wait staff that are eager to talk about their food and beverages. The wine list offers great value and they also do a wine and oyster pairing with the oyster sampler. They do all the thinking for you. There are also some amazing appetizers and plenty at the raw bar to enjoy.

If you want to enjoy a more formal dining experience, I would recommend dining in the dining room in the back of the restaurant. It is more quiet and the booths are very romantic. The prices are really not that high although it will cost you a bill and a half for two if you do wine, appetizers, entrees and dessert.

The managers are always moving thru the restaurant checking on the customers and making sure everything is working properly. This is a really good sign of hands on management. I have always appreciated it when I get a visit from one of managers at my table.

I highly recommend Ocean Avenue Seafood. They've also been in Santa Monica for something like 20 years.

4 Stars: It's just alright (by jeannieck1)

jeannieck1 — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I saw the great review on citysearch so I decided to go try it out on a weekend. The service was excellent, people were very friendly and helpful. I ordered the crab cake dinner and also a seafood pasta. Food was alright, it wasn't as good as i expected. I think it's a bit overated for this restuarant!

5 Stars: One of the best seafood restaurants in L.A. (by butthugger)

butthugger — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 09:00:00 GMT

I've been to Ocean Ave Seafood a number of times over the years, at least 15+, and have never had a bad experience there. It's the place my friends and I go if we wind up arguing over where to eat and can't make a decision because we know we'll be totally happy and satisfied. I've gone in semi-large parties(6-8) or just dates and food and service has been consistently good i.e not pushy with good intervals of checking on us and being knowledgeable with the food. Oyster sampler w/ or without the sample wines has always been quite delicious. Seafood and specials have always been cooked just right with enough seasoning and not more than what was needed. I've had the range of items from straight seafood, pasta, and have always like the different ways they do their halibut, salmon and mahi mahi. Don't usually go for the pasta though cuz it is a seafood place, kinda like going to a steakhouse and having chicken or a salad. They also display an extensive list of wines to go with the meals and the servers recommend the right ones instead of just the most expensive ones. Only complaints I would have would be that it can get pretty crowded on weekends and portion sizes should/could be bigger, yes I'm a dude who not only sees value in quality but quantity as well. Great for parties, would recommend a booth inside toward the back when bringing a date; makes it much more romantic.

4 Stars: Love Oyster Hour! (by janicebarthelemy)

janicebarthelemy — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Want to see the boardwalk, the ocean in the distant while eating fresh seafood for little money - this is it!
The happy hour that is everyday is a great time to sample oysters, clams, smoked trout, etc. Everything is reduced or 1/2 price but the quality is not spared. They even have wine pairings with some of the appetizers.

5 Stars: Great Seafood (by wboustani)

wboustani — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Its always been one of my favorit restaurant, the fresh seafood, presentation and taste. The service was very attending and profesional, beautiful decor and atmosphere. Higly recomended.

5 Stars: LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT - and I am picky. (by feutze)

feutze — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I am a tough critic...especially of restaurants. I have never had a bad experience once at Ocean. This restaurant is CLEAN, CLASSIC and CLASSY. Fresh seafood. Great HAPPY HOUR 7 days a week. Good service. I can't even begin to explain how much I love this place. Here are my recommendations - Oyster sampler with wine flight, Clam Chowder, Lobster Bisque, Trout appetizer, extensive wine list and great view of Santa Monica walking crowd and the ocean (all I need is a cot and I am moving in).

4 Stars: This place is so dangerous. Everything is so yummy! (by 310valleygirl)

310valleygirl — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 09:00:00 GMT

For some reason, I was craving oysters for happy hour. So, we found ourselves here. Boy, was I in trouble. We ended up with a $150 tab... for two during HAPPY HOUR! *** Nonetheless, I recommend the martinis (yum!) and the oyster/wine pairing. *** Lastly, metered parking on Ocean is FREE after 6pm.

5 Stars: Best King Crab Legs (by laurahan)

laurahan — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

By far the best king crab legs you'll ever try. I'm a big seafood lover and this place rocks with its big portions, tasty deserts, large wine selection, and nice ambiance. You must make reservations because it's a filled room.

3 Stars: Overrated, but competent eats (by eatere)

eatere — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

We went on a Thursday evening, and the place was not yet full. Our waitress was very attentive, that is, until after she took our order- then, it was nearly impossible to get a hold of her. Service, although there were many, many people running around, was pretty non-existent.

Our appetizer of tuna tartare was pleasant, but not incredible, as boasted. The chopped tuna was not smooth with the chewiness of cartilage, and the avocado was crisp at times due to its lack of ripeness. It was just enough to share between the two of us to quell our hunger, seeing as how the overly dry bread slices were unpalatable.

We were halfway through our appetizer before our drinks came- which we had ordered at the same time as our appetizer. My "grenache" had been in an open bottle for too long....

Our server suggested the halibut, sole, stuffed shrimp, and jambalaya. We went for the halibut (w/ Israeli couscous) and petra sole, as I had always wanted to try celery root (side w/ the sole). What arrived were very dainty plates of 2-3 ounces of seafood on a mound of the noted side, and my large male friend said it was perfect for him since he's trying to watch his weight. His halibut was lightly seasoned and OVERCOOKED/DRY. My layers of sole were overly salted and by the look of the browning, the layers had been tossed in at once (in a pile), and flipped over in the same manner, thereby browning only those areas that touched the pan, and leaving other areas in a relatively steamed state.

All this for about a $100 price tag (1 beer, 1 glass of wine, 1 appetizer, 2 entrees), and I could not believe restaurants get away with this. Patrons are either all about the SCENE, have too much money to spare, or quality is not high on their lists of priorities.

Certainly, this place was not worth the pomp and circumstance, and people are so easily swayed by pretty buildings and pretentiousness.

4 Stars: Nice place that's about it. (by mariahrc)

mariahrc — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 09:00:00 GMT

We sat in the patio area. The traffic noise was too loud. The food good but not exceptional. Would not return. The view of the ocean was nice.

3 Stars: For those who do NOT love seafood... (by myung)

myung — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 09:00:00 GMT

If you're with someone who loves seafood, they'll probably have a good time. However, if you yourself are not a fan, don't expect to find anything remarkable here. The pastas are standard - and quite expensive for hte portion you get. We found the atmosphere quite noisy. Overall, we had a very average experience and would not return.

5 Stars: Great spot for seafood (by cbauer135)

cbauer135 — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I just went there with my girlfriend a few nights ago. Was easily able to get a reservation on Saturday night at the last minute. The food was exceptional, especially the oyster platter with wine pairing. If you're a fan of Sauvingon Blanc, it's a must. The service was very good and the manager even gave us two extra oysters so we could try all the different types they had. Overall, a great seafood restaurant!

5 Stars: My new favorite Seafood spot (by idrinktou)

idrinktou — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 09:00:00 GMT

This place is really great. You can tell that they really care about what and how they serve. A very simple one page menu packs more great choices then half of the seafood joints around.
Oysters can not be beat in L.A. Steaks are broiled to perfection as well.

5 Stars: NEVER HAD A BAD MEAL HERE YET (by puggle)

puggle — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 09:00:00 GMT

BEEN GOING HERE FOR 20 YEARS HARD TO BELIVE IM ONLY 40. MEALS HAVE BEEN ALWAYS SUPERB. SEAFOOD TO STEAK U CAN NOT GO WRONG. CONSISTANT IS THE NAME OF RULE. TAKE OUT DINE. ITS ALWAYS GREAT. THEY MAKE THE BEST CALM CHOWDER IN CALIFORIA. HANDS DOWNS.EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST AS GOOD WINE LIST IS SENSATIONAL, CALL FOR RESEVATIONS IF U CAN, BUT IF NOT THEN PALN ON A WAIT BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT. TRY THERE OTHER PLACES TO WATER GRILL DOWN TOWN LA. IS OH LA LA............... JUST BE PREPARED TO SPEND BUT EVERY DIME IS WORTH IT. OH.................IF YOU WANT TO RELAX ;;;;;;;;MAKE SURE TO TELL THE WAITER TO NOT RUSH YOUR FOOD OTHER WISE THINGS COME WAY TO FAST............THATS THE ONLY PROBLEM. THEY HAVE GREAT SERVICE. SOME TIMES TO GOOD. IF YOUR A ROMATIC DATE.

4 Stars: Go for the Oysters and Wine (by laroers)

laroers — Tue, 07 Mar 2006 09:00:00 GMT

Pros: The Oysters at this place are killer! Not every table has tobasco, so be sure they bring you some with your oysters. The wine list is strong and high-end. The tuna tartar is consistently good. Cons: Don't bother with the lobster toquitos. The blue cheese salad is OK. I liked the beet salad more than my wife did - but then, I like beets more than she does.

5 Stars: Romantique, Perfect for a Proposal (by sulygarc)

sulygarc — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 09:00:00 GMT

I love this restaurant. It is so romantic. Besides the great food, the service is excellent. Our waitress was so nice, helpful, and very attentive of us. She came by just enough times to see how we were doing, but not so many where we felt we could not eat in peace. We were seated in a separate section of the restaurant, perfect for couples, its not as noisy as the main dinning area and its just right for a romantic setting. My boyfriend proposed to me on New Years Eve 2005, and I must say all those involved with the proposal were just amazing. My moment was made special thanks to the excellent service and excellent food. I am so happy that my experience was wonderful, since this will be the restaurant my fiancee and I will attend for our 1yr engagement anniversary, and the many more to come.

5 Stars: A great seafood restaurant in LA! (by ladining)

ladining — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I have high expectation on Ocean Ave Seafood after realizing that it's in the same group of restaurants as Water Grill in Downtown LA. It turned out to be excellent, I must say, much better than what I expected. We had a party of five and all the dishes were wonderfully cooked, especially the seabass which is the best that I have ever had in LA. Service was also very good and efficient. Wines are reasonably priced. I highly recommend this restaurant for all occasions.

5 Stars: User review by meiyan (by meiyan)

meiyan — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Lately, I've been sampling oysters up and down the coast. The ones served up here rank amongst the best. Definitely a good selection of east and west coast varieties. The happy hour oysters are reasonable. My favorite hot dish is the seasonal salmon with cherry sauce. The type of salmon varies monthly but it's always cooked to perfection, just under well done and always paired well with the sweet, tart flavor of the cherries. I don't get wowed by salmon but here. Overall, a great dining experience with nice decor, ambiance, and delicious seafood.

4 Stars: Awesome Oyster Bar! (by ytliu)

ytliu — Sun, 07 Aug 2005 09:00:00 GMT

Want ice cold oysters? Want genuine Little Neck Clams from New England? Love them at a bargain price? If so, try the happy hours at the Oyster Bar. It's been quite a while, since I had oysters and clams this good in L. A. I could definitely make a habit of frequenting this place, though I live 24 miles away. This restaurant is a must for all raw oysters and clams lovers!!!

5 Stars: A little pricey but worth it! (by Jjujju)

Jjujju — Sat, 23 Jul 2005 09:00:00 GMT

The food quality was great, service was good (the staff were very friendly but our waitress never came back to refill our drinks or ask how the meal was until we motioned her over). It's a little pricey--especially the lobster and crab, but my husband loved the oysters (so fresh!) and our entrees were absolutely divine. I'd definitely recommend it. Oh yeah, one other negative: the information says "beach view" but the restaurant is well across the street from the beach and you can't see anything at all since it's on the ground floor. Oh well!

5 Stars: Great for Seafood and more.. (by jaycee077)

jaycee077 — Wed, 01 Jun 2005 09:00:00 GMT

I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and we were not disappointed. We came here to eat Lobster and it was outstanding. I even had the steak and that alone is recommended, which is not typical with seafood restuarants. The service was great and we ate out on the patio..it was nice but not a romantic setting if you are looking for that. I would come here again.

5 Stars: A favorite (by knopfile)

knopfile — Fri, 08 Aug 2003 09:00:00 GMT

Been here many times, never disappointed. Go for the countless different types of oysters or the marvelous seafood dinners. The waiters and waitresses know their menu, thoroughly. Trust their judgments. Simply a can't-fail restaurant.

4 Stars: As good as The Water Grill (by jkarmstr)

jkarmstr — Wed, 08 Jan 2003 09:00:00 GMT

This restaurant impressed me. I've eaten here 3 times. The food is superb, prepared and presented to perfection. I actually felt that the quality is better than the Water Grill and at half the price (at least). I, unfortunately, have had one bad experience here, a waiter that was, essentially rude and unhelpful - a shame for that night. However, I would still highly recommend this restaurant - probably in my top 2 seafood places in LA.

4 Stars: Wonderless for $200 anyone? (by K8idid)

K8idid — Sun, 24 Nov 2002 09:00:00 GMT

The ambiance is nice for a date, or significant other, the food was decent, the service was nice, but it lacked that certain something. My girl friend and I decided to go out to another exquisite lunch/early dinner so we passed by the Ocean and saw lobster bisque and thought we were in luck. We were seated at an empty part of the restaurant because of the lunch-dinner change over. (I didn't like where we were seated. Our waiter was nice, but seemingly nervous. The lobster bisque was perfect, the oysters were to die for (we had to get another batch). However, the lobster was sub-par: Batter tasting and not that flavorful. The experience was nice, but being seperated from most of the people, and the not wonderful lobster lacked for my judgement and our bill was around the 2 bills mark (so becareful with the wine.)

4 Stars: Good food, good view (by pikachu)

pikachu — Tue, 22 Oct 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Love the oysters, the salmon, and the chilean seabass! The warm bread pudding is excellent too!

5 Stars: one of the best meals ever!! (by GISMacKenzie)

GISMacKenzie — Tue, 03 Sep 2002 09:00:00 GMT

we had a party of 20+ and were seated promtly the food was amazing...I recommend the wasabi encrusted ahi appetizer

5 Stars: Great Oyster Bar (by LisaGlasser)

LisaGlasser — Thu, 18 Jul 2002 09:00:00 GMT

Happy hour here is a steal. Seven nights a week you can saddle up to the Oyster Bar and enjoy the best cold water oysters from coast to coast. The Sampler plate has to be one of the best deals in town: 6 oysters on the half shell and three wine pairings, all for under $10 (4-7pm). Weekend happy hour is 3-6pm.