The Oceanaire Seafood Room

I decided to take my sister-​in-​law and nephew on a mini food tour around Harbor East while they were visiting from Cali. Third stop on the tour was the famous Oceanaire seafood room that is know for great customer service.
NOT on this day, I prepped them before entering the door on how elegant and the great service they would be enjoying. So we seated ourselves at the bar for happy hour. At the bar you get so see fresh caught fish, lobsters, snow crab legs, oysters, lemons and limes sitting on ice. It’s truly breathe taking. My nephew was eager to try oysters for the first time. My hubby was so happy to be the one who was going to grant the lesson but then no one acknowledged our presence, the staff was walking around us but not seeing us. I was beyond embarrassed.
After a few minutes I looked for the manager. Of course we get the weak «staff is busy» excuse which was untrue (Thursday night was slow)
The manager then begins fill our water glasses and take our orders. When he came back, he offer us complementary bread baskets and chilled veggie tray.
So we get back on track to having fun while waiting for our food. Light music is being played and the sourdough bread with butter was good.
My husband and nephew have the fresh oyster trio, my sister-​in-​law ordered the mini crab cake sliders and I ordered the togarashi grilled shrimp with cabbage slaw served with Thai peanut sauce. The oysters were not shucked properly but the lesson went on! My hubby have a ritual he does with the oysters (I’m not able to share). Nephew is now ready with oyster in hand. He tries to slurp it out but it did not move. So my skilled oyster eating hubby come to the rescue, by detaching the oyster from shell. Not to sure why my nephew was «chewing» the oysters but he manage to consume two. The mini crab cake slides were exactly what you would expect… yes more seasoning please. Togarashi Grilled Shrimp/​cabbage slaw with Thai peanut sauce is super spicy but taste so good.
Finally a waiter came over to introduce himself but again he became MIA. The manage kept the water glasses full.
Not truly sure why the poor customer service but I’m willing to try them again.

Disclaimer: I only stopped in for happy hour.
I thoroughly enjoyed the drinks however the calamari was not a favorite. The calamari was covered in a very spicy thin sauce, leaving it somewhat soggy. The crab cake sliders were full of filling and lacked flavor. (I’m a true Marylander, these were not MD crab cakes) My favorite drink however may have been the Oceanaire martini. I also tried the Sangria, the drinks were great, the best part.

Excellent. On our next visit will definitely make it a point to return. Soft shelled crabs a must

Atmosphere was cool food was basic server was pressed for money just by the conversation he offered will not visit again

This is an upscale resteraunt with a modern atmosphere. The service was exceptional, our server was well versed in the menu. We had an oyster appetizer that was very fresh. We both had seafood, one sesame crusted Ahi tuna and one fried Arctic char. Both were very well prepared. The side house salad was chopped (my favorite) it was fresh with a good mix of veggies. One side salad is enough for two people to share. Our server split it for us. He was great! Good chance we will revisit.

Amazing place, super meal, fantastic service. Sachie is a fantastic waiter. He took care of all of our needs and went above and beyond. I was with family for dinner celebrating my birthday and he made sure everything came out just right. From the initial sit down, to ordering a delicious sparking raspberry sangria, that was perfect, light and refreshing, just what I was looking for. We ordered two appetizers, a grilled octopus with tomatoes, olives and artichoke hearts it was delicious with a light and spicy sauce. Its a new menu item and I highly recommend it. We also ordered an appetizer portion of the lobster risotto, and that was another unbelievable appetizer. Highly recommend giving it a try.
For our entrees, we ordered the Wild Alaskan king crab legs. It was nice they removed them from the shell for us and serve them in a bowl with melted unsalted butter. I was a little more hungry, so I ordered a petite Filet Mignon with my king crab. It was delicious all the way around and very filling. Since the meals here come a la carte, we ordered steamed asparagus and their special hash brown potatoes, which are out of this world.
After we had finished our meals and were digested, a Baked Alaska arrived from the kitchen and was set flambé by our waiter. It was perfectly executed and absolutely amazing with the presentation and the taste. I learned shortly after that the dessert was on the house, as they wanted me to have a wonderful birthday.
The staff at Oceanaire are genuine and strive to make your dining experience top notch.
Enjoy my meal, the presentation, the service and everything about this dining experience. This was not my first time dining here, and I plan to be back dining here again, soon.
Thank you Oceanaire Seafood Room for making my birthday dinner a special event.

Went again for Valentines day. The food was MUCH better, everything was delicious.

Half stars can’t be given so my 3 ½ star rating won’t be reflected fully. In any case, the restaurant had a nice ambiance and the entire staff was professional and polite. The overall feel was relaxed and made for a nice place for whatever one might want to enjoy.
The prices were on par with similar restaurants. The drink menu had a nice variety and the bartenders delivered well on your choice of drink. Wines were also abundant given their list.
The food was good in general but nothing my wife and I haven’t seen in one form or another at similar restaurants. Unfortunately, my wife sent her first entrée back due to it being somewhat overdone and dry. To their credit, the wait staff and management were immediately available to address the issue and replaced the meal, no serious questions asked.
Overall, this place is not a bad choice for food, drinks, and/​or appetizers. My wife and I will probably explore a few more places before we return, but this restaurant will remain on our «revisit» list.

I went to the one located in Baltimore Saturday 9÷6÷16 for a friends birthday. We had a party of 7, so it was not too large.
The service was sub-​par. The waiter acted like he was uninterested in serving us. He would disappear for anywhere from 10 – 15 minutes at a time. When it came time to pay, we put how much to put on each credit card he couldn’t even figure that out. He had to have the manager step in to help him.
As far as the food… ehh I’ve had better. I had the shrimp and grits, while the rest of the group had some combination of their steak and/​or crab cakes. Long story short there are other places in this area Dc, Baltimore and in between with better seafood.
For this to be my first time going there, not a good experience and I don’t see myself going back anytime soon.

Oceanaire is a great place for happy hour but the main dining experience comes up short. I’ve had a seated dinner there a handful of times and while the food is adequate, it’s not memorable.
I started off at the bar until it was time for my reservation and enjoyed a glass of prosecco and the oyster trio. I was surprised the oysters did not come out with cocktail sauce (but instead a vinegar concoction) — isn’t that standard? The bartender asked if I needed anything else for my oysters (probably anticipating the cocktail sauce request) and he was able to provide some for me. The oysters were acceptable but not the best I’ve had– I’ve had better at catered events and at the Oregon Grille.
We were seated for dinner (party of 4) and the table felt too small. Dinnerware covering almost every inch of space which made me feel a bit claustrophobic. Our server (Netty?) was a gem– full of personality but genuine and not pushy; she made the experience great.
It was restaurant week but I chose to not partake. The crabcakes were tempting (my usual selection) but if I’m going to spend over $ 30 for a crabcake it can only be at Koco’s. I opted for my favorite, the shrimp and grits appetizer-​seriously one of the best reasons to come to this restaurant– and a 6 oz filet. This is where we went wrong. I don’t mind paying a nice penny for a steak, and as delicious and tender it was, it was not worth the $ 35. I’ve had a bigger and better steak at Roy’s for about the same price which came with sides.
Our table ordered three sides to share (mac and cheese, broccoli and mashed potatoes) so overall the meal was very filling. The mac and cheese was okay, the mashed potatoes were creamy and delicious and broccoli very fresh.
I think I’ve outgrown the Oceanaire as a dining destination but I’ll be at happy hour again for sure.

I came here for a happy hour. This place is pretty pricey so if you want to try some of the dishes at a more affordable price, happy hour is a good option. The food is pretty good and the cocktails are as well. It’s not really a hip/​trendy spot. But that’s not why you come here. It’s about the food mostly and I liked what I had. I’ll be coming back.

This is definitely one of the better Landry’s restaurants, if that says anything and I’ve decided I like this location better than DC. The food is reliable and provides a decent seafood meal, but I don’t know if I’d write home about anything in particular. The service is attentive, though I prefer some servers to others.
The restaurant has a good happy hour and good wine and cocktail list. The sides are a la carte and definitely sharable. I’d personally recommend the mashed potatoes or mac and cheese. The salads are nicely presented and a good portion size, and the Grand Shellfish Platter is also a good choice. I’ve had different seafood and tend to like the crab cakes or the swordfish, both of which are good enough to get along with.
If you’re seated in a good location, the ambiance can be nice and again the food is pretty good, so I’d certainly consider this a pick for a professional dinner or one with friends. Fancy date night? Probably not so much as there are some other more exciting restaurants in Harbor East.

Coming from the San Francisco Bay Area I concede my expectations for seafood are high.
Oceanaire appears to cater to corporate clients and tourists. The price point is high in light of the mediocre fare.
There were a lot of empty tables when we arrived so I was surprised when the kitchen became «backed up». The waitstaff was polite if somewhat distracted. Sometime after the entrees were delivered our waiter disappeared.
Overall the experienced reminded me of the food at an all-​inclusive resort in Mexico. Meh. Consider doing your research and find another option.

Went here for the first time for restaurant week. The food was absolutely amazing! The service was a little slow however they were packed as well as it being restaurant week and a Friday night. I did make a reservation and it took about 10 minutes to be seated. Nice ambiance, would defiantly recommend for a date night. Look forward to returning with my man!

Came here during Baltimore City Restaurant Week. An appetizer, entrée and dessert for $ 30. Pretty good deal especially when the entrees on their menu average $ 30 – 40.
I got the Crispy Red Chili Calamari for an appetizer. One word: Delicious!!!
For the entrée I got Grilled Faroe Island Salmon… I didn’t realize it said it had some crab crust on it until I was eating it and was trying to figure out what it was. As someone who doesn’t like crab, that was my bad! But the salmon was the bomb! The only downfall was that entrée items were alacarte and you had to purchase sides dele rarely. I ordered the spinach and fries as a side and the spinach was too lemony for me but the fries were good.
For desert I got the cheesecake. The most delectable cheesecake I’ve had from a restaurant I must say!
Parking was $ 8 for Valet which isn’t too bad.

Touring my new neighborhood and I had to stop in The Oceanaire, and I’m glad I did. Good food and service was amazing. I had the crab cakes and had the mashed potatoes, which were way too much for one person! Don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself and come down! By the way, get the Vesper James Bond Martini… it’s well worth it!

Usually when your extremely hungry anything tastes really good but that’s not the case with this establishment. Don’t let the pictures fool you, the filet mignon sliders were dry and the fish tacos weren’t fresh. The best part of my meal was the bread. Probably won’t return to this business.

Brought my boyfriend here for Restaurant Week this year. We were seated immediately and attended to.
Our waitress was great, recommending a glass of white wine that would go well with the Swordfish I was having for dinner. I don’t care for oaked Chardonnays and they didn’t have any unoaked by the glass, so I had a Pino Grigio instead. It was really nice, middle of the road– not overly sweet or buttery.
The boy had their Gin Mule and enjoyed it but we both thought it had a little too much lime juice. I had the chili calamari as an appetizer and enjoyed it thoroughly. He ordered the clam chowder and it was delicious– thick and creamy.
For dinner we both had the Swordfish (White Truffle and Parmesan Risotto with Grilled Jumbo Asparagus Lemon Butter). The swordfish was cooked well but the risotto really stole the show. Together it was a great dish. We had leftovers to take home.
For dessert I had the raspberry sorbet and he had the key lime pie. Both were very good. I was bad and decided to have one of their dessert cocktails, with chocolate sauce, baileys and some other things. It was delicious and we were just enjoying the conversation as I sucked it down.
Oceanaire never disappoints.

Came here for a friend’s 31^st birthday, and our large group was immediately seated in a small private room that held 15 people max. I do love the ambiance of this restaurant, very classy, trendy, upscale, high class, beautiful establishment. It’s the type of place you go to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or something special as it is expensive and I always feel the need to dress up and wear something really nice.
Upon immediately seating, our waiter, Josh, came over and explained how he was going to handle our large party, how the night would progress, and how he’s been a waiter for over 20 years, so he knows how to handle large parties. He informed us that the menu changed daily as fresh dish was brought in every morning and the chef would come up with some interesting specialties for the day.
We ordered a round of drinks, and they left us some freshly baked sourdough bread with butter and some veggies on the table. The drinks did take a long time, but we were still waiting for the rest of our party to arrive. The sourdough bread was excellent.
After our drinks came, and the rest of our party arrived, we started off with a few appetizers that Josh recommended: the fried red chili calamari, delicious, I just wish the plate was bigger, the jumbo shrimp cocktail (shrimps were rather large), the jumbo lump crabmeat cocktail (delicious pieces of fresh crabmeat with some lemon and fresh cocktail sauce on the side), and oysters. I don’t normally eat oysters, but they did look very fresh and delicious. My favorite was probably the shrimp cocktail followed by the calamari. Everything was great and we quickly finished everything they put down in front of us.
We decided to skip the salads he recommended and go straight for the entrees. I started with the New England clam chowder soup, which was awesome. For an entrée, I had grilled maine jumbo diver scallops over pureed sweet potatoes in a port wine demi. Dish was good, a little heavy for my liking. They gave me 5 scallops overall, which were delicious, I just felt they went a little heavy on the pepper. Port wine demi was a heavy sauce, I thought, especially for such a light seafood. I would have prefered a lemon, butter, white wine sauce.
We also ordered a bunch of sides:
Lobster risotto: pretty good. Huge pieces of lobster, a bit heavy
Cheesy bacon au gratin potatoes: my favorite side dish, super cheesy, and absolutely delicious
Oceanaire mac and cheese: OMG yes. How can you go wrong here? So much cheese. Yum.
Brussel sprouts: decent, a bit bland in my opinion. I’ve had better.
For desert, they brought over some cheesecake and their homemade baked Alaskan. The baked Alaskan was awesome. Highly recommend trying it. It’s a unique dish you can’t get everywhere. Chocolate ice cream over a homemade meringue that he lit on fire to fuse together.
We split the bill up and I ended up paying $ 130 which included the food, desert, and two glasses of wine, which I didn’t think was bad at all.
Synopsis:
Ambiance: 10
Wine list: 10
Service: 10+. A little slow getting started, but the waiter was exceptional, made awesome recommendations and really knew the menu well.
Overall menu selection and choice of entrees: 9.5
Food: 9
As a side note, the area where this restaurant is located is amazing. Tons of high end restaurants, hotels, and shops, glad we had the chance to check it out!

The Oceanaire Seafood Room
801 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21 202 (443) 872‑0000
While in Baltimore, MD for the weekend, I checked out the restaurant scene along the Inner Harbor. With an array of hot spots to choose from like: Ouzo Bay, Cinghiale — Osteria, Da Mimmo, and Wit & Wisdom, it required a lot of thought to choose the proper restaurant to review. What made it easier however was the very apparent «Saturday night wait times» at the first 3 restaurants we checked out of 45 min+, so this reasonable wait time of 15 – 20 min was the best we could do on short notice. So without further adieu, I give you Ocean Aire: The Seafood Room.
The dining area carries high ceilings giving the restaurant a very «Ocean Aire» ambiance. There are realistic looking plastic models of various sea fish around the restaurant. I sometimes derived a childish grin by musing to myself what if these fish could see their friends being served to hundreds of people below every night. Certainly not the best of fates, but decidedly better than Prometheus for you Greek mythology fans.
The restaurant hosts a delightful raw bar with fresh oysters daily complete with a full wine selection nicely arranged on contemporary modern steel shelving above. A sleek plasma screen fills guests in on the Orioles progress in the 3^rd inning.
I had to take a picture of these table decorations. It looks like a cross between an emergency alert «blue alert» system and the lights you would see on the side of a ship for visibility.
I’m thinking they were going for the latter of the two, but in any case, it was entrancing – much to the chagrin of my dinner companion, I more than once zoned out staring into the deep blue abyss of our table lamp.
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail: House made Cocktail Sauce: 19. Ah yes, we decided to start things off with the shrimp cocktail. Classic appetizer choice. Of note here was the amazing quality of the homemade cocktail sauce. It had a certain je né sais quoi that was at once sweet and sour with lemon but pleasing. It’s tough to put into words. Just remember, when in Baltimore at the Ocean Aire, get the shrimp cocktail.
While on the menu, this dish is denoted as «Chopped House Salad» come on Ocean Aire… you can do better than this. Sure it was tasty and the house dressing sweet, ya-​de-​ya-​de-​ya, but the presentation just plain sucked. Throw a little garnish on there, arrange the lettuce in the shape of a fish. Do something besides flop it on a plate. In its defense, it was delicious and I cleaned my entire plate and incidentally, I’m sure it looked much worse where it ended up compared to its appearance on my plate.
«Cup of Clam Chowder» Well, that trite description on the menu certain described what it was we got. Clam chowder was tasty, nothing to write home about, but nothing to sneeze at either. I am wondering if it is because we ordered from the restaurant week menu that the descriptions/​preparations were less ornate than what I would expect from such a restaurant. Compare for example, the shrimp cocktail dish which was not on the restaurant week menu to the two items after it (house salad, clam chowder) that were on the restaurant week menu. While I try to write an unbiased a review as possible, I can’t help but notice the less attention to detail and finesse these restaurant week selections received as compared to something off the regular menu.
Black and Blue 16oz Double Cut Pork Chop. Caramelized Onions and Blue Cheese Butter. Well I can’t say I’m not surprised here. This portion was hefty enough to satisfy a linebacker of the Minnesota Vikings and it was still on the restaurant week menu. My faith in humanity has been restored. Perhaps they were skimping on the other dishes to set this behemoth before me as the peak of my meal. A delicious blue cheese butter mixed well with the caramelized onions (underneath the hefty pork chop). Overall, this course alone is enough to fill you up and I don’t think I was able to finish it all not due to poor taste but just due to the hefty slab of meat set before me.
Chesapeake Bay Style Crab Cakes: Creamy Mustard Mayonnaise. Very tasty dish, soft, fluffy crab cakes were full of meat and the mayonnaise was a nice finish. Lemon wedge, check. Everything here to make a great crab cake dish.
Not much to say about these chocolate chip cookies. They were good. It is hard to mess up chocolate chip cookies though. They tasted freshly baked and were served very warm so the chocolate melted in your mouth.
The sorbet was disappointing. It tasted watered down almost like water ice and not a sorbet. It was some sort of melon flavor which was not all that great and to be honest, largely undetectable – that’s how watered down it was. As my friend put it, «It’s one of those things you just eat because it’s in front of you.» Certainly, one would not go out of their way to get it.