Ocean Ave Seafood

I've been to Ocean Ave Seafood a number of times over the years, at least 15+, and have never had a bad experience there. It's the place my friends and I go if we wind up arguing over where to eat and can't make a decision because we know we'll be totally happy and satisfied. I've gone in semi-large parties(6-8) or just dates and food and service has been consistently good i.e not pushy with good intervals of checking on us and being knowledgeable with the food. Oyster sampler w/ or without the sample wines has always been quite delicious. Seafood and specials have always been cooked just right with enough seasoning and not more than what was needed. I've had the range of items from straight seafood, pasta, and have always like the different ways they do their halibut, salmon and mahi mahi. Don't usually go for the pasta though cuz it is a seafood place, kinda like going to a steakhouse and having chicken or a salad. They also display an extensive list of wines to go with the meals and the servers recommend the right ones instead of just the most expensive ones. Only complaints I would have would be that it can get pretty crowded on weekends and portion sizes should/could be bigger, yes I'm a dude who not only sees value in quality but quantity as well. Great for parties, would recommend a booth inside toward the back when bringing a date; makes it much more romantic. Pros: Good selection of seafood, good oyster selection, extensive wine list, Cons: Portion sizes, can get crowded, bathroom is outside and shared with other venues more

Want to see the boardwalk, the ocean in the distant while eating fresh seafood for little money - this is it!\r The happy hour that is everyday is a great time to sample oysters, clams, smoked trout, etc. Everything is reduced or 1/2 price but the quality is not spared. They even have wine pairings with some of the appetizers. Pros: Great seafood at a great price Cons: have to go early to get the lesser price food more

Its always been one of my favorit restaurant, the fresh seafood, presentation and taste. The service was very attending and profesional, beautiful decor and atmosphere. Higly recomended. Pros: Best Seafood more

I am a tough critic...especially of restaurants. I have never had a bad experience once at Ocean. This restaurant is CLEAN, CLASSIC and CLASSY. Fresh seafood. Great HAPPY HOUR 7 days a week. Good service. I can't even begin to explain how much I love this place. Here are my recommendations - Oyster sampler with wine flight, Clam Chowder, Lobster Bisque, Trout appetizer, extensive wine list and great view of Santa Monica walking crowd and the ocean (all I need is a cot and I am moving in). Pros: HAPPY HOUR DAILY Cons: I am not a millionaire and they don't have a cot so I can move in. more

For some reason, I was craving oysters for happy hour. So, we found ourselves here. Boy, was I in trouble. We ended up with a $150 tab... for two during HAPPY HOUR! *** Nonetheless, I recommend the martinis (yum!) and the oyster/wine pairing. *** Lastly, metered parking on Ocean is FREE after 6pm. Pros: shellfish, location, wine paring Cons: parking after dark... good luck! more

By far the best king crab legs you'll ever try. I'm a big seafood lover and this place rocks with its big portions, tasty deserts, large wine selection, and nice ambiance. You must make reservations because it's a filled room. Pros: FOOD Cons: RESTROOM OUTSIDE OF THE RESTAURANT more

We went on a Thursday evening, and the place was not yet full. Our waitress was very attentive, that is, until after she took our order- then, it was nearly impossible to get a hold of her. Service, although there were many, many people running around, was pretty non-existent.\r \r Our appetizer of tuna tartare was pleasant, but not incredible, as boasted. The chopped tuna was not smooth with the chewiness of cartilage, and the avocado was crisp at times due to its lack of ripeness. It was just enough to share between the two of us to quell our hunger, seeing as how the overly dry bread slices were unpalatable.\r \r We were halfway through our appetizer before our drinks came- which we had ordered at the same time as our appetizer. My ""grenache"" had been in an open bottle for too long....\r \r Our server suggested the halibut, sole, stuffed shrimp, and jambalaya. We went for the halibut (w/ Israeli couscous) and petra sole, as I had always wanted to try celery root (side w/ the sole). What arrived were very dainty plates of 2-3 ounces of seafood on a mound of the noted side, and my large male friend said it was perfect for him since he's trying to watch his weight. His halibut was lightly seasoned and OVERCOOKED/DRY. My layers of sole were overly salted and by the look of the browning, the layers had been tossed in at once (in a pile), and flipped over in the same manner, thereby browning only those areas that touched the pan, and leaving other areas in a relatively steamed state.\r \r All this for about a $100 price tag (1 beer, 1 glass of wine, 1 appetizer, 2 entrees), and I could not believe restaurants get away with this. Patrons are either all about the SCENE, have too much money to spare, or quality is not high on their lists of priorities. \r \r Certainly, this place was not worth the pomp and circumstance, and people are so easily swayed by pretty buildings and pretentiousness. Pros: Pleasant ambience Cons: Pretentiously overrated; average quality food & service more

We sat in the patio area. The traffic noise was too loud. The food good but not exceptional. Would not return. The view of the ocean was nice. Pros: Presentation of food was good. Cons: Traffic noise on patio was loud more

If you're with someone who loves seafood, they'll probably have a good time. However, if you yourself are not a fan, don't expect to find anything remarkable here. The pastas are standard - and quite expensive for hte portion you get. We found the atmosphere quite noisy. Overall, we had a very average experience and would not return. Pros: good seafood Cons: very expensive more

I just went there with my girlfriend a few nights ago. Was easily able to get a reservation on Saturday night at the last minute. The food was exceptional, especially the oyster platter with wine pairing. If you're a fan of Sauvingon Blanc, it's a must. The service was very good and the manager even gave us two extra oysters so we could try all the different types they had. Overall, a great seafood restaurant! Pros: Oysters, Service, Location Cons: Expensive Valet more

This place is really great. You can tell that they really care about what and how they serve. A very simple one page menu packs more great choices then half of the seafood joints around. Oysters can not be beat in L.A. Steaks are broiled to perfection as well. Pros: Quality, Service, Taste more

BEEN GOING HERE FOR 20 YEARS HARD TO BELIVE IM ONLY 40. MEALS HAVE BEEN ALWAYS SUPERB. SEAFOOD TO STEAK U CAN NOT GO WRONG. CONSISTANT IS THE NAME OF RULE. TAKE OUT DINE. ITS ALWAYS GREAT. THEY MAKE THE BEST CALM CHOWDER IN CALIFORIA. HANDS DOWNS.EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST AS GOOD WINE LIST IS SENSATIONAL, CALL FOR RESEVATIONS IF U CAN, BUT IF NOT THEN PALN ON A WAIT BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT. TRY THERE OTHER PLACES TO WATER GRILL DOWN TOWN LA. IS OH LA LA............... JUST BE PREPARED TO SPEND BUT EVERY DIME IS WORTH IT. OH.................IF YOU WANT TO RELAX ;;;;;;;;MAKE SURE TO TELL THE WAITER TO NOT RUSH YOUR FOOD OTHER WISE THINGS COME WAY TO FAST............THATS THE ONLY PROBLEM. THEY HAVE GREAT SERVICE. SOME TIMES TO GOOD. IF YOUR A ROMATIC DATE. Pros: CONSISTANT, DELICIOUS, VIEW more

Pros: The Oysters at this place are killer! Not every table has tobasco, so be sure they bring you some with your oysters. The wine list is strong and high-end. The tuna tartar is consistently good. Cons: Don't bother with the lobster toquitos. The blue cheese salad is OK. I liked the beet salad more than my wife did - but then, I like beets more than she does. Pros: Oysters, Location Cons: other menu items are, hit and miss more

I love this restaurant. It is so romantic. Besides the great food, the service is excellent. Our waitress was so nice, helpful, and very attentive of us. She came by just enough times to see how we were doing, but not so many where we felt we could not eat in peace. We were seated in a separate section of the restaurant, perfect for couples, its not as noisy as the main dinning area and its just right for a romantic setting. My boyfriend proposed to me on New Years Eve 2005, and I must say all those involved with the proposal were just amazing. My moment was made special thanks to the excellent service and excellent food. I am so happy that my experience was wonderful, since this will be the restaurant my fiancee and I will attend for our 1yr engagement anniversary, and the many more to come. Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere Cons: Parking more

I have high expectation on Ocean Ave Seafood after realizing that it's in the same group of restaurants as Water Grill in Downtown LA. It turned out to be excellent, I must say, much better than what I expected. We had a party of five and all the dishes were wonderfully cooked, especially the seabass which is the best that I have ever had in LA. Service was also very good and efficient. Wines are reasonably priced. I highly recommend this restaurant for all occasions. more

Lately, I've been sampling oysters up and down the coast. The ones served up here rank amongst the best. Definitely a good selection of east and west coast varieties. The happy hour oysters are reasonable. My favorite hot dish is the seasonal salmon with cherry sauce. The type of salmon varies monthly but it's always cooked to perfection, just under well done and always paired well with the sweet, tart flavor of the cherries. I don't get wowed by salmon but here. Overall, a great dining experience with nice decor, ambiance, and delicious seafood. Pros: $5 valet or $3 lot Cons: not cheap more

Want ice cold oysters? Want genuine Little Neck Clams from New England? Love them at a bargain price? If so, try the happy hours at the Oyster Bar. It's been quite a while, since I had oysters and clams this good in L. A. I could definitely make a habit of frequenting this place, though I live 24 miles away. This restaurant is a must for all raw oysters and clams lovers!!! Pros: Great oysters, Great Little Necks, Happy hours avail. more

The food quality was great, service was good (the staff were very friendly but our waitress never came back to refill our drinks or ask how the meal was until we motioned her over). It's a little pricey--especially the lobster and crab, but my husband loved the oysters (so fresh!) and our entrees were absolutely divine. I'd definitely recommend it. Oh yeah, one other negative: the information says ""beach view"" but the restaurant is well across the street from the beach and you can't see anything at all since it's on the ground floor. Oh well! Pros: great food, polite service, parking validation Cons: pricey, no beach view, as was stated more

I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and we were not disappointed. We came here to eat Lobster and it was outstanding. I even had the steak and that alone is recommended, which is not typical with seafood restuarants. The service was great and we ate out on the patio..it was nice but not a romantic setting if you are looking for that. I would come here again. Pros: food, service more

Been here many times, never disappointed. Go for the countless different types of oysters or the marvelous seafood dinners. The waiters and waitresses know their menu, thoroughly. Trust their judgments. Simply a can't-fail restaurant. Pros: Excellent seafood, Excellent service more