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Ocean's 33
Rating Details »
Categories: American (New), Seafood, Pizza [Edit]
799 The Shops At Mission ViejoMission Viejo, CA 92691
(949) 365-0200
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
7 reviews for Ocean's 33
Looked at the mall dining guide, everything else looked like standard franchise upscale or food court fare. The description for OCEAN's 33 stood out to me, and my date and I ventured over to try it out.
Soon as we walked in, we drinked in the atmosphere and ambiance:: beautiful lighting with dark wood booths and tables, black napkins, open kitchen with fire grills going, and LIVE jazz music in the background [we were there on a Friday night]. Piano, drums, and cello were the perfect combo. I liked the dining room being smaller; I think I read somewhere that the seating capacity was around 85. Some other upscale restaurants make it feel like you're in a huge warehouse amidst a sea of tables.
The menu was all over the map, with appetizers, salads, burgers, pizzas, seafood, chicken, steak, and pasta. The seafood selection was mostly fishes. You'd think with a restaurant's name like that, there'd be more seafood variety. (And, I think one of the things that takes away from the ratings is the large menu, which I think makes it hard to maintain quality across the board. But, the large menu also means you can eat more cheaply or more expensively, depending on your mood or budget.)
We went for the steaks side of the menu. 2 items were only available on Fridays and Saturdays -- the prime rib and Oso Bucco. Not knowing the latter was, I asked the cute waitress, who explained it with delight, and I was there! I had the Oso Bucco, for my first time ever. My date had the rib eye, neatly dressed with delectable sauce, spinach, and mashed potatoes; and added a glass of pink'ish zinfadel wine to really bring out the flavor of the evening.
The Oso Bucco was incredibly excellent and succulent! I didn't need a knife, the meat easily fell off the bone. It seemed strange to have it served over linguini, but it worked. Along with diced carrots and flavorful sauce that wasn't too salty, it was almost like an upscale pot roast or stew, but so much better and refined. The rib eye was delicious too, especially enhanced and completed with the wine.
For such a perfect evening, this experience is worth a 5-star rating in my book. Definitely would come back for those special occasions when I want to have a nice atmosphere!
Now closed. Soon to be a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
Typically when I walk into a restaurant with lowered expectations, as I did with this one thanks to fellow yelpers, I come away either meeting or beating expectations. In this case, my experience fell so far below my already lowered expectations that I actually walked away livid and pissed off, wondering why I hadn't walked out on the bill.
I had to wait almost an hour for my $30 fish--and when I checked with the waiter twice, I was told it would be right out, but in the meantime, would I like another glass of wine? Sure, I said, happy that at least they were providing me with a complimentary drink in the meantime. Being nicely liquored up and starving by the time my dish came out, anything would have tasted divine to me. As soon as I dug my fork into the fish, my heart sank. Because it was completely overcooked, dry, and salty-- a la "would you like some fish with that salt?"
when the bill came, they hadn't comped my drinks, and when I tried to complain to the manager that my food took centuries to come out, and was overcooked and salty, I was told "that's a very popular dish, I'm sorry it wasn't to your taste" and "it's against our policy to provide complimentary drinks".
AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
One of the worst restaurants I've been to in recent years.
From service to food quality and price, they are all dull.
I had the most flavorless piece of salmon I've ever had in my entire life.
When I told this fact to the waitress, instead of an apology, I got a comment of
"Thank you for letting us know."
No apology or comp was given. (Not even an offer for dessert or anything!!!)
It's a shame that restaurant like this can somehow stay in business and take people's money away for nothing!!!
One star although if I could give ZERO, that's what I would give to this place.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
Worst tasting steak I've ever had. It tasted like liver. Buuuuut the 2nd best Expresso Martini I've ever had. At least they have that going for them.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
March 21, 2007. Went to this restaurant at the request of my significant other, Joseph, who'd eaten there previously and enjoyed it. Unfortunately it wasn't to be a repeat performance.
The restaurant was beautiful, with a tasteful but pseudo contemporary French style decor. (That seems to be the theme du jour around Orange County). We were seated in a booth next to the only other patrons, who apparently were friends of our waiter. He was preoccupied chatting up his friends so it took a while to get our order in.
Not being a great seafood lover, I ordered the safe but standard, fried shrimp platter. My companion ordered the cioppino, which he raved about after his first visit.
We nursed our drinks, Joseph with his standard glass of champage, I decided to go against my traditionalist tendencies and ordered a RASBERRY mojito (classic mojitos have been a favorite way before the trend). Much to my surprise, the rasberry concoction was quite good, with real rasberries mashed on the bottom instead of the standard spearmint.
After quite a long wait, our entrees arrived. My shrimp were large, fried to perfection with lightly seasoned french fries that satisfied this former Belgian resident. On the other side of the spectrum, the CIOPPINO seemed to have been reheated in a microwave, with temperatures on the plate ranging from ice cold to scalding hot.
Our waiter, while sweet, did not approach our table other than to serve our drinks and then our food. Most of his time was spent crouching down in the booth behind us talking to his friends. The rest of the staff as having dinner in the open kitchen.
I will probably give this place another chance on my next visit to Califoria with the mentality that everyone/every place has an 'off' night, but my expectations will be even higher next time.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
This restaurant is awful.
I made the mistake of eating here once. The food is bland and overpriced.
The service is slow and inattentive.
If you must dine at this mall you are better off at the mediocre, but consistent Cheesecake Factory.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
