Oceanaire Seafood Room

My husband and I dined here solely based on the recommendation from Citysearch. We were looking for a fine dining spot before a show at the Paramount. What we encountered was a noisy, slow serviced, average food restaurant. The waiter seemed preoccupied and we had to constantly ask to have our water filled - no one came by to check. We were basically ignored. The seafood was average - mine was actually quite greasy. The noise level was so high we had to scream at eachother across the table. We will not dine there again.

Cons: , poor service, average food

Posted 12/26/04

I've eaten here many times and generally have been satisfied. Of late, though, service at lunch has slipped greatly while prices haven't. Waiter yesterday had to be called to table for service several times; not attentive to our needs and took over two hours! Not acceptable.

Pros: assortment, flavor

Cons: , service, service

Posted 06/21/04

I was there with a party of five and the service was attentive, from filling the water glasses to bringing dessert menus.

The Calamari appetizer is absolutely delicious. I've never had it done that way with an asian flair. The lone crab cake was also very good and could easily substitute as an entree. My companians had the copper river salmon which they said was good and I had the razer clams. My dish was ok, nothing special.

For dessert we had the key lime pie. The wedge was the size of a small pie, easily and is perfect for sharing.

Pros: healthy portions, nice ambiance, service

Cons: , expensive

Posted 06/20/04

Reminds me of the East Coast fish houses--starting with the relish tray and herring to oyster crackers on the table. Only thing the food is MUCH BETTER.
It was long overdue--for Seattle which is known for fish to finally get a restaurant that serves more than tuna and salmon with the mixed sauteed veggies as sides.
We adore the smelts, oyster, and squid starters. There is no fish entree that we have had here that we did not love.
Desserts are enormous and too big for us to eat unless we share. But then all the portions are that way.
The gumbo can be a meal in itself along with salad...
Wines seem high, but my hubbie reminds me that they have to make profit somewhere to provide such high quality staff, food, and digs. So go and enjoy!

Pros: menu variety, execution, service

Cons: , getting a reservation

Posted 06/14/04

We have been to Oceanaire several times, and each time we have had a great experience. The oysters are always fresh, and they do not serve any seafood that is not great that day (even salmon, which most places will scrounge up even when there is nothing good around). For those who don't like their oysters raw (one of our guests didn't), they have a nice Oysters Rockefeller. The atmosphere is upbeat and elegant, like a Mortons but with more light. The wine list is extensive, and there is also a premium wine list that they bring out on demand. It is not cheap, but it is worth the premium.

Pros: freshness, wine selection, cleanliness

Cons: expensive

Posted 01/15/04

We were in Seattle seeing a play, and afterwards we wanted some place to eat. There were 7 of us.
What a wonderful dinner we had, the seafood was excellent!!! The staff was very friendly and explained how to share the side dishes. We go to Seattle often, and will make this a new place to have a wonderful dinner. The desserts were fantastic!

Posted 01/15/04

This is one of those 'loud' restaurants that people either like or dislike - so be warned. The seafood selection seemed good, and the crab cakes are definately impressive, but the salmon was standard and over salted and partially overcooked. While the portions seemed large, they also seemed over priced. For this price I am expecting to be amazed and was not. Wine selection was adequate, nothing special, and the wait staff seemed aloof and a touch arrogant. Not bad at all but definately overrated.

Pros: Seafood selection, Crab cakes

Cons: Expensive, Loud

Posted 10/01/03

An amazing evening. Fantastic food (get the dunginess crab, fresh oysters, salmon), attentive service (the hosts do not forget you and the servers make sure you have everything), bright room. One of our new favorite restaurants.

Posted 08/11/03

On recent visit, all of our dishes were fantastic! Our friendly, informative waiter walked us through the menu & gave us tips on what to order & how much. In fact, he kept us from ordering too much. Recommendations: Copper River Salmon (when in season) - simply grilled. St. George Scallops and the Halibut were also good.

Pros: Great food, Helpful waiters, Good wine list

Posted 07/17/03

I love the crab cakes, and for a seafood place, their steak is out of this world. It's impossible given the portions, but try anyway: save room for dessert. The lunch menu has a Kobe beef burger, which could possibly be the best burger in Seattle.

Pros: Service, Ambience, Quality of the food

Posted 07/04/03

The food was world class, and the service impeccable. I have to say that our waiter, Colin, was a perfect gentleman who was truly engaged in our dining experience.

Posted 05/14/03

From the easy going to the hard to please, I've never had anyone leave unhappy after I've brought them to the Oceanaire. There's something for everyone there. Of course, there's the fresh seafood, but for meat eater there's steak and vegetarian plates as well. And for those who need that unique bite. Is there anyone else in town that serves fresh sea urchin? I'm very satisfied everytime I go.

Pros: Something, for, Everyone

Posted 04/08/03

My husband and I went for our anniversary, and it was really a great dinner. However, I did find some tiny things to nitpick about. The sauce on my halibut was rather overpowering (yet tasty, of course), and the cheesecake lacked a crust. It all added up to a wonderful experience, but I just tried the Coastal Kitchen recently and I have to say, it was better and about 1/2 the price. Though, of course, the portions at the Oceanaire are just out of control- I only ate 1/3 of my entree. Definitely your money's worth in that respect.

Pros: huge portions, very tasty, great service

Cons: crustless cheesecake, I've had better

Posted 04/01/03

Wow! We had dinner for two on 3/15 and I can't say enough about our fabulous experience. The service was flawless, cocktails were top notch, selection was amazing, and our choices were cooked to absolute perfection. I don't think Oceanaire is intended to be a romantic restaurant - the atmosphere has old school vivacity and class. Expect to slurge and enjoy!

Pros: flawless service, fabulous variety, amazingly fresh

Posted 03/16/03

i just had the most amazing halibut dish at the oceanaire. it has an olive crust that is so delicious, words would fail to do it justice. if you're going to have halibut for the first time this season have it at the oceanaire. you won't be disappointed.

Pros: fresh halibut, great chef, downtown

Posted 03/08/03

Excellent, superb wine list. We had the Sauvignan Blanc from Australia with Hawaiian Tuna. All around great. I will admit that my SO (significant other) was a bit peeved by the absence of crust on the cheese cake (she loves a good cheese cake). I was completely satisfied. Fried green tomatoes, delicious; asparagus and sauce......superb.

Pros: Large Boths, Prompt Service, Professional

Cons: Cheese cake issue

Posted 03/08/03

Too-bright lighting, office ceiling panels, and just-decent food and service do not warrant this place's reputation or $30 entrees. If you're looking for a solid NW seafood experience, you're much better off spending your money on a cab ride out to Chinook's at fisherman's terminal.

Posted 03/06/03

From the last few times I've eaten at the Oceanaire, the place has become one of my favorite places to eat. Not only do they have the seafood I enjoy such as King Crab Legs but they also have selections that i can serve to non seafood eaters as well such as filets, pork chops, chicken and kobe. Basically, it turns out everyone I brings comes out very happy. Its a fun atmosphere and we get treated very well.

Pros: makes good, impression on, clients

Posted 02/28/03

Yes, its that time of year again. This is my favorite time of the year for seafood. There is nothing like fresh king crab legs. I had them yesterday and they were so sweet and so tender. Those guys at the Oceanaire really know how to cook 'em.

Pros: King Crab, Knows how to cook, King Crab

Posted 02/28/03

I tell you, I cannot get enough of what the chef at the oceanaire is making. He has superb dishes on the menu that I haven't seen in years. Many of them are classics that my grandmother used to make for me. The approach takes me down memory lane long enough to appreciate what i've been missing over time. I can't recommend enough how inspired the oceanaire chef is and how much he makes us appreciate good food.

Pros: excellent menu, great staff, stroll memory lane

Posted 02/27/03

Frankly, I can't imagine myself going anywhere else for seafood since I've visited the Oceanaire. All other places pale in comparison. The seafood is fresh and the chef is amazing. A big thumbs UP!!!

Pros: fresh seafood, great chef, downtown

Posted 02/24/03

So they have a great selection of seafood. What good is that if the preparation is mediocre at best? But the worst part was the service. We got a very cold waitress who was very unsavvy. The food is extremely overpriced, including paying for side vegetables. We spent $268 for four people only to be treated so poorly. Save your money and go elsewhere.

Cons: Poor service, Expensive, Mediocre food

Posted 02/23/03

If you love oysters then you have to try the Oceanaire. They have the best oyster selection in the city as far as I'm concerned. And if you go in for happy hour, its half price. Check it out!

Pros: Oysters!!!, downtown, LARGE MARTINIS

Cons: happy hour ends :(

Posted 02/21/03

This place is great. I can't state enough how much I love the food. Everytime I go back it has something new that I haven't tried before from Monchong to Spearfish to Sea Urchin. Its an exciting place with great food. I would definitely recommend this place to my pals at work.

Pros: downtown, good food, stylish

Posted 02/20/03

We have eaten at some of the best places that can be had and I can honestly say this place is WAY overpriced and nothing great as far as food, ambiance or service goes. I took my wife out for a special dinner after seeing the Symphony. Our server was unfriendly when she could be found, which was not very often. As for the food - their selection was great, but we had to send one plate back because we asked for it medium and it came out nearly sushi raw. Our salad's, sides, and the other dish were nothing to brag about either, overall very disappointing!

Pros: It's downtown

Cons: Bad Service, Bad Prices, Big letdown

Posted 02/19/03

I think I just had the best steak ever. This American Kobe steak has excellent flavor and a great texture to it. I've read so much about the kobe cattle and I've wanted to try it for so long. Let me just day it ROCKS

Pros: GREAT FOOD, GREAT SERVICE, VALET

Posted 02/19/03

Oceanaire provides the largest portions of any fine dining restaurant I've been to. The food is spectacular, but expensive. Arrive famished, plan to share entrees and the side dishes (everything is a la carte). Drinks are pricy, the wine list vast. Our server was not engaging, but the entire experience left us wanting to return the next time we are celebrating something special.

Pros: Tasty, Fresh, Creative

Cons: Expensive, too much food, Expensive

Posted 02/18/03

It was noisy, loud, and crowded. The food wasn't all that great either. Don't bother taking your date there. It will only make you look like a fool, with no money left in your wallet... We may come back for happy hours - but that will be all.

Posted 02/11/03

this place has the best seafood in the city. it'll stand up to anyone, especially in the downtown area. the fish is fresh and the recipes are outstanding. if all restaurants were this good, you'd think we'd gone to heaven.

Pros: fresh seafood, good service, valet

Posted 02/06/03

OK a seafood restaurant is in the top ten for BEST STEAKHOUSE! Oceanaire is a pretty good seafood restaurant, but not a not a steakhouse.

Posted 02/05/03

from all the places i've been there's something special about oceanaire. if you can't see it then somethings wrong. the festive atmosphere combined with great food and great service; what's better than that? i've been there before and i'll go there again. the place rocks!

Pros: atmosphere, food, service

Posted 02/05/03

WOW!
I had the best burger of my life at a seafood joint...go figure. only problem is i have to scoot there before 5pm to get it...only for lunch :(

Pros: kobe beef burger

Posted 02/05/03

Please! This place is totally overrated. We ate there 1/30 with friends and were not pleasantly surprised at any of the ambience nor menu --- but were shocked at the prices. I think there are plenty of area restaurants that have this place beat in price, food quality and ambience....this is a place to impress business associates, not to have a fun dinner with friends.

Pros: Service

Cons: Food, Price

Posted 01/30/03

for starters the food is superb. i can't imagine going anywhere else for seafood anymore. everything is so fresh and our waiter told us that everything is flown in from all over the world. there's so many different kinds of seafood available from samoa, new zealand, hawaii and locally too! but it doesn't mean a thing if you don't know what to do with it. the chef there does a great job and i wish he could give me some lessons. it was a great experience and i would definately go again!

Pros: great food, great service, downtown

Posted 01/17/03

Just like I had read in a previous review, we walked in without a reservation and were seated within 10 minutes. Drinks are strong. I was pleased with the wine list, they seemed to pass on some good values on several bottles. I spotted a couple bottles that were less than 100%(the norm) from retail prices. The decor is fun but classy. The boys were excited about the fun mens' room and the powder room had all of the luxuries you could want including a real cotton hand towel for my one time use. My entree was prepared exactly as I requested. We were very full and satisfied but managed to eat our 95 cent dixie cup ice creams. We will definitely return again and again.

Pros: large portions, exotic fresh fish, yummy sides/salads

Cons: slow, crowded

Posted 01/15/03

Pretty good food, but come on, we have so many other great seafood places here in Seattle. The somewhat monotonous decor (typical of a chain restaurant) and excessively expensive menu, just don't merit the visit in my opinion. Best advise is to save your cash and go there for lunch (great fish tacos) if you have to. Go somewhere with a great view, like Anthony's, Ray's, Elliott'ts, etc., for dinner...

Posted 01/15/03

Excellent Food and Service. The Seating is spacious, great seafood cooked and presented perfectly. Good wine selection.

Pros: Good Food portions

Cons: Wine Overpriced

Posted 01/12/03

This was a little pricey but it was a great place to go for seafood. I was really impressed witht he service. It was impecable. If you love desserts, great place to go. They are huge!

Pros: Huge Deserts, Great Service, Knowledgeable Staff

Cons: Noisey, Expensive

Posted 01/07/03

Went here for company party. Was able to customize menu and received personalized attention. Food and wine were incredible. Service was superb. Only downsides were I felt our party was rather rushed from course to course and the clams and mussels were not as good as everything else.

Pros: Convenient Parking, Great Food, Incredible Service

Cons: mussels & clams poor, felt rushed

Posted 01/06/03

i can't say how much i love this place. Chef Kevin Davis is a master at creating great and exotic food. this is exactly what seattle needs. a place where your parents can have salmon and halibut, while you dine on sea urchin, ahi and foie gras. for once i can have a good time and so can my parents. we love the oceanaire.

Pros: great food, good service, downtown

Posted 01/05/03

While shopping at the pacific place for presents, my friends and I discovered a real gem of a restaurant. It was across the street and I've heard so much about it. We planned on only having appetizers for a snack but after having wonderful crab cakes, oysters, shrimp and a pear salad, we couldn't help ourselves but to have big eye tuna and a kobe steak as well. The food was excellent and my server trisha was excellent. I only wish I discovered it before christmas.

Pros: excellent food, service, location

Posted 12/26/02

Seattle's best new restaruant. Great food, passionate chef and kitchen, outstanding service!

Pros: great food, great service, valet

Posted 12/26/02

We have been here several times, never disappointed. One of my very favorite restaurants in Seattle. I try something different each time, the mussels are wonderful, oysters great. I like the "Tower", crab, lobster, oysters, shrimp & more. It is presented in a way that you know it's special. Try the fried green tomatoes, all sides should be shared.

Pros: quality, service, fun

Cons: expensive

Posted 12/20/02

I've been to Oceanaire 4 times. The servixe is fabulous, the menu wonderful, the ambience fun, but the seafood is just not as good as everything else! The menu looks like there would be great tasting choices, but I've tried something different each time and was unimpressed. The side dishes and salads are good, it's just the fish. One time I went with a group of 10 and we all felt the same.

Pros: Fun atmosphere, Great service

Cons: Bland seafood, No parking, High prices

Posted 12/14/02

We celebrated our first year together at the Oceanaire and thoroughly enjoyed it. The seafood was prepared to perfection. The only thing that we didn't like about the experience was having to wait a half hour despite having made a reservation over a week ahead of time.

Pros: great food, good service

Cons: expensive

Posted 12/10/02

The title says it all!! While shopping at Pacific Place Mall the concierge mentioned The Oceanaire Seafood Room as a great place to have exotic fish for lunch. We took the advise and WOW did we have a great lunch, the chef came by and asked how my Black Cod was and proceded to tell me all about this fish, who caught it and how sought after the Sable fish (other wise known as) is in Japan. Great food Great knowlege and a Great place to have lunch.

Pros: Food, People, Location

Cons: none

Posted 11/25/02

New, full, and overpriced. It won't look so succesfull next year when it is empty. The menu is good but certainly not exceptional.

Pros: good seafood, comfotable, new

Cons: overpriced, retro menu

Posted 11/16/02

Oceanaire is the seafood version of a steakhouse! Pricey, but hard to beat for what I think is the best seafood in town.

Posted 11/12/02

Our waiter was indifferent and unengaged with our dining. The wine, which the waiter apparently had no clue about, was characterless and overpriced. The food was good, though not exceptional, through the salad course. Then we were served with large, unimaginative portions of fish which mine required a knife and some effort to cut through. The second attempt from the chef came out of the kitchen barely warm. The third attempt was downright uncooked in the middle. At this point my wife's dinner was cold and we gave up. While we were not charged for this dismal experience, we left still feeling awful. Off night? No excuse.

Pros: interesting fish, large portion, large winelist

Cons: ruined in the kitchen, accompanied by zip, pretentiously priced

Posted 11/10/02

AGREE! AGREE! AGREE! Oceanaire is far and away the BEST seafood restaurant in Seattle. The food is impeccable. Fresh flavors, wonderful variety of fresh product. The Kobe beef was out of the world! The Ahi - amazing. Our waiter Daniel is a true pro. I have been dining in Seattle for 10 + years and this meal was one of the most memorable I have EVER had. GREAT place to take out of town guest and show them what real seafood is all about. If I owned a seafood restaurant in Seattle I would be SCARED!

Pros: Food, Staff, Ambience

Cons: Not one!

Posted 11/10/02