Ocean Room

630 5th Avenue, San Diego CA 92101
$$ Seafood Recommended New Special Offer

Boasting fresh sushi and an oyster bar overlooking an open kitchen, Ocean Room also offers fresh seafood including shellfish cooked to perfection using a kettle steaming technique. This is something that is rarely seen here on the west coast as it is a technique utilized more in the southern region of the United States, particularly Louisiana. Located in the center of Fifth Avenue in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego, Ocean Room’s contemporary décor, friendly staff, and flavorful seafood creations - headed up by Chef Felix Frias - will be a sure bet to indulge in some of the freshest seafood that San Diego has to offer.

Seafood Indulgence at Dining on Fifth’s Ocean Room

Review by

It is a Tuesday evening in the Gaslamp Quarter and as I walk down the already busy streets of this historic neighborhood filled with an abundance of bars, restaurants, and shops, I finally arrive at my destination: Ocean Room. Established in 2006, Ocean Room sits in between two of its sister restaurants, La Fiesta and Chianti -- all three of which are owned by the Dining on Fifth Restaurant Group. Ocean Room specializes in fresh seafood with an emphasis on their sushi selections and an oyster bar. What also makes Ocean Room unique is that they use a special kettle cooking technique to steam their shellfish, something that is sparsely done here on the west coast as it is a more popular technique used in the South, particularly Louisiana. This is all carried out by the culinary talents of Executive Chef Felix Frias. 

I notice the already fully occupied seating on the outside patio overlooking Fifth Avenue as my guest and I are greeted by the hostess. We opt to dine in the booths inside of the restaurant, all of which face the open presentation kitchen and the oyster bar. Here I can see Chef Felix hard at work preparing his mouth watering dishes. The contemporary dining room is decorated with hues of beiges, coppers, and blues. To the left of the dining room are the oversized booths all set to face the kitchen, and to the right you will find the oyster bar alongside the open kitchen and a fully stocked bar. Modern light fixtures hang throughout the restaurant, and an art piece resembling water cascades over the bar, as well as waves embossed in the glass behind the booths giving you the feel of being in an underwater cavern. 

We are promptly greeted by the restaurant manager, Christian, who gives us some recommendations on Chef Felix’s specialties. After looking at the menu, we decide to start off with the popular Oyster Shooter. This is a fresh Glacier Oyster in a spicy sauce made up of ponzu, soy, and rice vinegar garnished with green onion and served in a shot glass. As I consume the tender oyster and the pungent liquor it is bathed in, I am instantly hit with the piquant Asian flavors. The oyster smoothly goes down my throat as I then feel the spice and freshness from the green onions. My appetite is now stimulated after that refreshing starter and I am ready for the next course. 

I am sipping on my glass of White Haven Sauvignon Blanc when all of a sudden Chef Felix, with a big smile on his face, carries out a large platter and sets it down on our table. The plate is decorated with colorful pieces of fresh sashimi including hamachi, tuna, and salmon. It also has the famous Ocean Room Sushi Roll that includes shrimp tempura, crab, and cream cheese topped with eel, salmon, and avocado; it is presented in a floral arrangement alongside a mountain of pickled ginger and wasabi paste. The fresh fish pieces are tender and melt in my mouth, and the sushi roll is full of flavor. The avocado on the top of the roll is smooth and the richness of the cream cheese and the crunch of the tempura add many textures to the sushi, making it a fun and playful dish to follow up with.  

Next we indulge in the Lobster Bisque. This is served in a bowl alongside a toasted crouton. As I dip my spoon into the thick bisque I notice that there are giant pieces of lobster meat concealed in the soup. The meat is tender and succulent and the soup itself is rich and creamy. The flavors from the lobster and the silkiness from the cream make this soup even more decadent. I can’t help but finish the whole bowl. 

The next course is the famous Combo Steamer dish that Christian had recommended. This dish consists of mussels, clams, and shrimp kettle-steamed and served in a special broth of the liquid from the shellfish, white wine, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. This is also served with fresh bread from the oven. I immediately notice how fragrant the steamers are and eagerly dip into the plate. I first taste a spoonful of the light broth. It is smooth and rich from the cream, and has a subtle salty bite from the parmesan cheese. It pairs expertly with the succulent shellfish. I release a piece of meat from a clam shell and dunk it into the broth. The meat is supply tender and juicy. The mussels are equally as tender and again pair nicely with the rich broth. I take a slice of the fresh bread and sop up the rest of the flavorful broth until there isn’t a drop left in the bowl.  

We next have the pleasure of being served the Combo Roast dish, which is also a kettle-steamed dish; however, this is a different variation of the previous dish. It is a bowl of shrimp, crab meat, and oysters served in a thicker marinara sauce base alongside a big mound of tender white rice. This is a heartier version of a steamer plate, more resembling a stew or a Jambalaya. Fragrances of the ocean permeate my nostrils as I scoop a large piece of oyster onto my spoon. This is a hearty bite and the flavorful tomato base pairs nicely with the tender meat. There is crab meat mixed in throughout the Italian-inspired sauce and the plump shrimp are a delectable addition to the dish. There is a richness to the tomato sauce from the added cream that pairs well with a small squeeze of lemon cutting through the creaminess. The soft grains of white rice are fluffy and soak up the intense seafood flavors. This dish ends up being a favorite for me and my guest.  

Chef Felix kindly brings out a scoop of lemon sorbet for our next course to cleanse our palate before the final dish. This is served in a small bowl with a triangle shaped wafer cookie and mint garnish. The sorbet is cold and refreshing as it is an ideal balance of sweet and sour and does a great job at cutting through the rich feel of the dishes that we’ve had so far.  

Finally we are served a dish that was highly recommended by not only Christian, but Chef Felix himself. It is the Chilean Sea Bass, topped with lobster smothered in a saffron sauce alongside fresh baby carrots and broccoli. As I pull my fork through the Chilean sea bass filet I instantly notice how masterfully cooked it is as it ever so gently flakes away from the filet. The bite is tender and has a mild flavor on its own, but holds up nicely to the fragrant and savory saffron sauce. The tender morsels of lobster are piled high on the sea bass filet, adding another level of decadence to the dish. The  tender baby carrots and broccoli are steamed just right and add freshness to the overall dish.  

With a full belly and a smile on my face, we say goodbye to Chef Felix and the friendly staff for the hospitality and the wonderful experience. With the uniqueness of techniques, the flavors of the sea, and the creative use of ingredients by Chef Felix, it is easy to see why Ocean Room is the go-to place for great seafood.

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Reservations

Business Info

  • Address: 630 5th Avenue, San Diego CA 92101
  • Cross Street: Market Street
  • Location: Downtown | Gaslamp Quarter
  • Cuisine: Oyster Bar | Seafood | Sushi |
  • Cost: | Inexpensive
  • Category: Fine Dining
  • Star Rating:
  • Reservations: Recommended
  • Dress Code: Casual
  • Meals Served: Dinner |
  • Parking: Street |
  • Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover |
  • Corkage Fee: 15.00 | Per 750ml bottle.
  • Staff: Felix Frias | Executive Chef
    Chef Felix Frias | Executive Chef
  • Phone: (619) 501-6550
  • Features: Full Bar, Catering Services, Outdoor Seating, Takeout Available, Wheelchair Access, Valet Parking, Happy Hours, Personal Wines Allowed, Lounge / Bar, Healthy Options,
  • Occasion: Child Friendly, Romantic Dining, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Meet for a Drink, People Watching, Quiet Conversation, Special Occasion, Dog Friendly, Trendy / Hip,

Photos

Ocean Room - Smoked Salmon
Ocean Room - Ahi Poke Ocean Room - Bottle Service Ocean Room - Chef Ocean Room - Cocktails Ocean Room - Filet Mignon Steak Ocean Room - Petite Maine Lobster Ocean Room - Salmon Pina Colada Ocean Room - Seafood Combination Ocean Room - Shrimp on the Table

Business Hours

Reservations Available
Monday
Closed - MAIN DINING
Tuesday
Dinner - PATIO 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Happy Hours - PATIO 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
Dinner - PATIO 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Happy Hours - PATIO 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
Dinner - PATIO 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Happy Hours - PATIO 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday
Dinner - PATIO 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Happy Hours - PATIO 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
Dinner - PATIO 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Happy Hours - PATIO 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
Closed - MAIN DINING

F.A.Q.s

Frequently Asked Questions
Ocean Room’s Happy Hour is available Monday-Friday 4:00pm-6:00pm.
The restaurant is about a 4 minute drive, or an 9 minute walk away from the Convention Center.
Yes, Ocean Room does have an A/V system that is available for any private event.
No, The Ocean room is located in downtown San Diego on 5th avenue in the historic Gaslamp District
No, Ocean Room only serves dinner 7 days a week, beginning at 4pm.
Yes. The restaurant is open 365 days a year.
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Menus

Customer Reviews & Ratings

4.5 out of 5 stars based on 1 votes