Ocean Grill

Cristal D.

Joined 4 months ago

My mother and I have been regulars at the Ocean Grill since we moved to the Upper West Side six years ago. We used to love going for Sunday brunch or a cosy dinner in Winter. The food is consistently excellent, but the service has deteriorated so much that our dinner there last week could have been our last. We were greeted my a hostess whose hair was so long and unkempt that we wondered what she does when she goes to the toilet. Not to be disgusting, but this was really unpleasant and only makes you think that some of it must be ending up in the food as she walks through the restaurant and into the kitchen. Why don't they make her tie it in a bun, or at least a ponytail? Next, we watched as other tables were served around us, but no-one even approached us with a menu for 20 minutes. We had to wave frantically and almost yell to get the attention of a waiter, who took our order for drinks, but turned out not to be our actual server. When our server showed up, we were told that there were champagne cocktails as part of the special that night, but as we'd already ordered our drinks, it was a bit late to find out about this. We ordered our food, had a delicious meal, and then waited 15 minutes to be asked if we wanted anything else. We finally managed to get the maitre d' to bring us our bill, at which point we discovered we should have been given an amuse bouche - it was on the bill, with a $0.00 charge, but we'd never received it!

This restaurant used to be so great, but excellent food has to be complimented by excellent service and wait staff who don't make you think their hair is going to end up in your food. The Upper West Side has a wide range of wonderful restaurants, so who knows how much longer Ocean Grill will be able to withstand the competition if the service doesn't improve.

Recommends

shawanna h.

Joined 2 years ago

Over and Over Again. This is not the first time that I ate here in this restaurant. I've been here quite a few times. The reason for that is the food itself of course.

The only food that I always ordered is Maine Lobster Bisque with Shrimp Crostino. That 's one of my favorite. I really love eating this dish.

I always had a good time eating in this place. It always makes me comfortable and light headed. I really love this place.

Recommends

simi 1

Joined 4 years ago

excellent meal, price and service = all around winner. We had a very nice surprise with this restaurant on our first visit. The crispy shrimp appetizer was flavorful and ample, and I had the short rib ravioli with scallops and mushroom gravy. My friend had mahi mahi encrusted with crab meat but we couldn't distinguish the crabmeat. The pineapple rice was a nice compliment to the fish. Excellent service - not too overbearing.

Recommends

repole28

Joined 4 years ago

Good Atmosphere; Great for Visitors. Took friends from out of town there. It has a neighborhood feel, while being upscale enough to be a chic New York spot. The crusted scallops were huge, and prepared perfectely. The service was warm and friendly but arms-length enough to not be overbearing. Would go back in a second.

Recommends

foodie611

Joined 4 years ago

Delicious fish, dependable food. Went last night for the second time and was not disappointed. Fish was fresh and delicious and service was great. Tried the filet mignon maki roll which was delic. We also had the oven roasted sea bass and the soy ginger roasted cod which were both excellent.

This is a great place for a family meal. Nice decor and relaxed setting.

Recommends

coygrier

Joined 5 years ago

Good Atmosphere and Fantastic Food. This was another visit to this establishment and, as in past visits, was a pleasurable experience. Their service from host/hostess stand to final bill by server was a pleasure. The food selections are almost massive in quantity, the quality of those I have consumed have been well balanced with various spices/sauces. Wines are more than appropriate. Wait service is excellent, courteous, knowledgable of menu and it's items and worth the visit.

Doesn't Recommend

foogy

Joined 5 years ago

Good food with noise at full volume. Went there with my girlfriend. Restaurant is very noisy, very loud. Waiter talked at full voice to people at next table while he served us. Waiter kept talking at full voice to pepole at next table for most of our meal. Food is fresh and good if you do not mind clanging, banging, dozens of people taking at full volume.

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downtown_guru

Joined 8 years ago

Great food!!. Just moved to the Upper West side and I absolutely LOVE having this place right around the corner. Excellent sushi, the mahi mahi is wonderful. This place will long continue to get my business!

Recommends

bigglesworth96

Joined 7 years ago

Solid. Went there last night with family in town, it's always reliable with excellent food and great service. I've been a few times when it was crowded and servers weren't as good, but we were there early so it wasn't as packed and everyone was very attentive. For a nice dinner out in the neighborhood, you can't go wrong here.

Doesn't Recommend

remyvalerio

Joined 6 years ago

TERRIBLE , TERRIBLE SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!. first time and the last want food , it was fu.... awesome,delicius,exelent no coments but the service for get it terrible but i mind nasty i'm sorry but u better change your wait staff i'm a pro waiter with 12 years of experience and i work in the hyatt hotel,greenwich CT . i never see a nasty wait staff no where like in your restaurant i'm sorry but it was terrible experience the food it was exelent but cause the service i'll never come back