I’ve been to The Oceanaire numerous times from their soft opening, Baltimore’s Restaurant Weeks, with a large group of out-of-towners and most recently, a media dinner. When dining there I must say the service was impeccable, the restaurant’s 30’s ocean liner atmosphere added a spark to the evening’s festivities and the food has always been excellent, spot on.
The best testimonial I can offer for The Oceanaire Seafood Room is the reactions of a group of business acquaintances that were in town for one night for a live show promoting Tuaca Liquor at Rams Head. It was six of us, with specific food requests that were handled with finesse. I can only tell you that the group, New Yorkers and world travelers were suitably impressed with all aspects of the dinner. (Related Story: Tuaca Body Art Ball - Recipe & Video)
The Oceanaire Seafood Room takes pride in serving sustainable seafood. Recently, the night I was there, they were packed from bar to tables. A number of people were taking advantage of their bar menu, which you can find on the chalkboard. I spied their Spicy Calamari ( a favorite of mine) and what looked like Sliders being enjoyed with lively conversation and laughter.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room Promotions
Currently there is a $29.95 Surf and Turf special and for your holiday gift list a $25 Oceanaire gift card for every $100 gift cards purchased. Cheers to 2010 is there promotion on their wine: $20.10 for MandraRossa Nero D'Avola Sicilia 06 and MandraRossa Chardonnay Sicilia 07
The OMG seafood dinner
Nate Beachler, General Manager, invited food media peeps and myself in to enjoy a vast selection of dishes from their menu and their wine list. As a regular consumer, I tend to pick an appetizer, entrée and side – with this I got to try numerous dishes all at once. It was a seafood junkie’s dream come true. (check out the photo slide show)
The evening kicked off with an amuse bouche of Halibut Seviche. Appetizers of Crab Cakes, Bay Scallops, Calamari, Clams Casino, Mussels and even Alaskan King Crab filled our table of seven. Lucky for me few at the table ate raw oysters so the Choptank regular and salty were pretty much all mine, mine and mine.
Salads were next: Citrus Salad, Caesar Salad and Roasted Beet Salad were proffered. Check out the complete dinner menu HERE
The entrees and sides that came to the table were enough to feed an army. From the Sablefish in Miso, Scallops, Rockfish, Halibut, Seared Tuna and a New York Strip steak that suitably impressed everyone, especially Brian Michael Lawrence of Style Magazine with its quality and taste. Scooter Holt from Baltimore Eats thoroughly enjoyed the 07 Cuvaison “Napa Valley” Pinot Noir. Sides of spaghetti squash, chipotle mashed potatoes, creamed corn, broccoli, cauliflower filled in the nooks and crannies of open spaces on our table. If there had been some foie gras it would have served as my perfect last meal.
Everyone was in food overload, Downtown Diane, Anne Boone Simanski, Celeste Corsaro, Eddie Applefeld and I but that didn’t stop Nate from sending a root beer float for each of us. The root beer float was partnered with a shot of root beer schnapps and rather than drink it separately, I poured it into the float. OMG, the best dessert I’ve had in ages – you must save room.
When it comes to fresh, well prepared sustainable seafood the Oceanaire Seafood Room in Baltimore is preeminent.
Last couple of details:
Oceanaire only does dinner at this time but is looking to offer lunch once The Four Seasons opens.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room
Harbor East
801 Aliceanna Street
Baltimore Md 21202
443 872 0000
Dinner – 7 Days
www.theoceanaire.com
Valet parking is available as well so no concerns on finding a parking spot in the East Harbor.
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