The Oceanaire Seafood Room

03/03/2008 Posted by kristenindenverco

It is great that Denver has a first class seafood restaurant in a sea of steakhouses. While I agree that the mark up on the wine is very high and the prices for the food are high, I think it is well worth the visit. The atmosphere is fun and inviting. The host staff can be a bit snobby but the servers are spectacular. The highlights of our visits have been ((1)) the shellfish platter (cold platter with a ton of fresh seafood- excellent and filling) ((2)) the crab cakes (mostly crab-- not bread crumbs) ((3)) the monkfish ((4)) the alaskan crab legs (I have never had such fresh, remarkable crab legs) ((4)) the trout simply prepared and ((5)) last but certainly not least, the Tuna. I asked for it extremely rare and they offered to serve it to me sushi style. This was the best tuna I have had in Colorado since we visited a fishmarket in Tokyo a few years ago. 10 ozs of pure heaven. Other nice touches: the veggie and pickled herring platter that come before the meal (gotta love a place that has pickled herring!), wonderful amuse-bouche before meals, chocolate candies to take home on valentines day, health pours for a glass of wine, etc... Things to note: the sides items are pretty heavy and not the highlight of the menu- I would skip them. parking can be a pain but they have valet, make reservations- can be packed, the desserts have not been that impressive but I am also not big on baked alaska... Overall- this is one restauran that I will keep going back to!

Pros: Freshest seafood in Denver, large portions, great servers

Cons: A bit pricey, parking can be tricky, snobby host staff

02/26/2008 Posted by Schukan

Our experience overall was pretty good. Our bartender Kara was exceptional. She was very helpful and went out of her way to help us. We had a reservation at 8:30 and were not seated till closer to 9:00 and she was very apologetic and friendly about the whole thing. Honestly we didn't have any problem with the wait but it was nice that she recognized the situation. Once we were seated service was good, our appetizers came and then it took nearly 20 minutes for our meal to come, which again was not a problem, except my meal came and it was cold. I saw a manager and asked if the meal was meant to be that way and he said no and took it back to heat it more. When he returned the manager simply said that it should be plenty warm and walked away. After that our waitress seemed very short and not friendly and the manager went to both tables next to us to see how their meals were and avoided us. I felt like we were extremely patient and nice the entire time and got treated very poorly. The food was great, but to be treated that way from management really disappointed us and I don't know if we will go back.

12/03/2007 Posted by powertrader

I don't know what you are smoking giving this place a bad rateing!!! This is a great resturant! Food and service are unreal!! Been the one in minneapolis and now in denver. When I have family from back east come into town this is the only seafood resturant that I will bring them too.Before oceanaire I wouldn't take them for seafood!!

Pros: you get what you pay for

Cons: I can't find one!! Don't go if you can't pay the rent

11/12/2007 Posted by adj88

Came into the Oceanaire recently, and we were simply doted on by our server. There was a vast selection of wines available, and the place is gorgeous! Fantastic crab cakes, amazing Halibut T-Bone, and beautiful desserts. Come with a healthy appetite, you won't leave hungry!

Pros: Fresh fish, Atmosphere, Service

10/15/2007 Posted by fleemanc

Visited the Oceanaire on a recent trip to Denver as the place I wanted to go was out of business. At first, the hostess seemed a little pretentious, but the serving staff was very friendly and attentive. The bench seats are very cozy - I was seated very close to two other parties - close enough to easily overhear conversations. I ordered the crab cake appetizer and "Canadian Diver Scallops", which were simply ordinary sea scallops. The single crab cake, while good, was nowhere near the best I've ever had (I've eaten crab cakes all over the country), but the scallops were very tasty and unique in their preparation. They had some zing to them, but not overly so. I was pleased with the chilled vegetable plate that is served in addition to a helping of bread prior to the meal. I also had the fortune of seeing their Baked Alaska served at the next table. The Oceanaire adds a unique twist to that dish - which I won't give away. My one disappointment was their prices. I'm used to paying for high quality dining, but this was excessive. My total bill before tip for just those two dishes was $56. This included a single crab cake appetizer, the main dish of six good-sized scallops and a soda. I may go back for the Baked Alaska, but there are far less expensive restaurants with at least the same quality seafood at which I would rather dine.

Pros: good quality food, friendly and attentive staff

Cons: very, very expensive - not worth the price IMHO

10/02/2007 Posted by thevulture

Having enjoyed the Oceanaire in Seattle for a number of years I just had to give the one in Denver a try while I was there on business. Knowing the excellent customer service and the wonderful quality of their food I had no worries inviting the Director and Chair of my department with me. And of course they did not disappoint. For anyone looking to be treated to an amazing dining experience look no further than here. I highly recommend it!

Pros: Service. Food.

10/02/2007 Posted by julabean

Tried the new Oceanaire while in Denver over the weekend...was wonderful like always! Love the cheesecake and the staff and managers are very professional. Keep up the good work!

Pros: food, ambience

10/01/2007 Posted by rufusfufus

I like the Oceanaire's Oyster Bar. They always have a nice selection that changes pretty frequently. It's great to stop in after work for a drink, a tray of oysters and a bit of any sports game on the tv in the bar.

Pros: Nice Oyster Selection

Cons: None

10/01/2007 Posted by frimml

I must disagree with the previous reviewer. I have been a fan of Seattle's Oceanaire for a long time, too, and was very happy to discover an Oceanaire here in Denver. The staff is always very friendly and really try to make sure that my husband and I have a memorable time. My favorite Oceanaire meal is their crab cakes with a huge side of creamed corn... and maybe the hashbrowns, too. I have tried many of their selections, such as their black and blue fish, which is a selection of their fish that has some onions and blue cheese on it. Yum!! I think it is nice when a restaurant wants to do something a little different instead of a poorly cooked slab of mystery fish. Don't avoid this restaurant. Try it, have the crab cakes and maybe some creamed corn and you'll fall in love with it, too.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

08/17/2007 Posted by yougottaeat

Five meals...one edible. Wine extremely over priced in Denver market. One meal was very good...Sturgeon with a blue cheese vinegrette...the salmon unedible, tuna poor quality, fish and chips soggy...and on and on..crab cake fair to poor not anywhere close to Sullivans. I was excited that Denver had gotten an Oceanaire. Have eaten at the one in Seattle several time and it was always excellent. Oh well, another poor quality Denver restaurant...the pickin's are slim. Off the list. Avoid like the plague.

Pros: Good wine selection

Cons: Porr qulaity food and over priced wine list