The Oceanaire Seafood Room

[markk]

Here's another recent Miami meal that I forgot to post, The Oceanaire Seafood Room.

This is an upscale chain, and it was pretty much was I was led to expect by all the responses I got when I posted asking about it across the country; Just about everybody said it was really good. And with one exception, everything was. But the food lacked soul, and the service was a turnoff, which is a shame, because they're certainly using top-notch ingredients. A few days after we ate here, I compared notes with some foodie friends whose opinion I really trust, and they said the same thing - it was technically correct, but somehow very lacking.

To start, the steamed mussels, which were excellent, and the Oysters Rockerfeller which were totally lackluster and disappointing:

Main courses were halibut, a beautifully fresh piece, broiled to perfection, and topped (this was an extra) with a generous amount of excellent lump crab. Still, the dish lacked something, maybe "soul" as I said earlier:

The sides, a crispy potato cake, and string beans almondine, were exceptionally good:

Dessert was kinky:

I can think of a lot of cities I've been to in my travels where I'd have killed for this meal. But though I didn't hate it by any means, I won't be going back here.

[wattacetti]

Dessert was kinky:

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The potato cake looks interesting and this seems to be a better choice than much of what I'm facing when in southern NJ. However, your dessert is what I get as a mid-movie snack on airplanes, except that I also get cookies on the side.

[gagit]

Here's another recent Miami meal that I forgot to post, The Oceanaire Seafood Room.

This is an upscale chain, and it was pretty much was I was led to expect by all the responses I got when I posted asking about it across the country;  Just about everybody said it was really good.  And with one exception, everything was.  But the food lacked soul, and the service was a turnoff, which is a shame, because they're certainly using top-notch ingredients.  A few days after we ate here, I compared notes with some foodie friends whose opinion I really trust, and they said the same thing - it was technically correct, but somehow very lacking.

To start, the steamed mussels, which were excellent, and the Oysters Rockerfeller which were totally lackluster and disappointing:

Main courses were halibut, a beautifully fresh piece, broiled to perfection, and topped (this was an extra) with a generous amount of excellent lump crab.  Still, the dish lacked something, maybe "soul" as I said earlier:

and expensive, $16 for a martini, $35 for Halibut who are they kidding.

The sides, a crispy potato cake, and string beans almondine, were exceptionally good:

Dessert was kinky:

I can think of a lot of cities I've been to in my travels where I'd have killed for this meal.  But though I didn't hate it by any means, I won't be going back here.

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[Dianabanana]

I think that's a good way to put it--technically correct, impeccably fresh, but lacks soul. Also, I find the exceedingly oversized portions vulgar and wasteful. Went once, won't go back.