Ocean Room

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

The Ocean Room is a fantastic little place, run by the same people who own Wildfire. Unlike it's better known sister restaurant, it fills it's hype very nicely.

I've been there a few times now and the staff service is always fantastic. The only thing that let this down is a slightly hyperactive English waitress who rushes through the menu and can seem pre-occupied at times. All other staff are superb.

What's more, they make a mean Gin & Tonic. Try the Wasabi prawns for something special.

For cost, this place is no MacDonalds - expect pricey meals. But given that this restaurant is easily a match for some of Sydney's better establishments, the value is fantastic.

As a local, it's easy to forget the view sometimes. But being at the Overseas Passenger Terminal means an excellent view of the Opera House. On a good clear night, sitting outside is a treat.

All in all, it's the staff that have made this place for me. I've always had nothing but perfect service from the general service staff, and their skills have made the night that much better.

May 14, 2007 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

1st and only visit to Ocean room (dinner one Saturday evening recently) left me very impressed.

Service was very good in all aspects on our night. The menu was fairly clear, designed well, and the choices of dishes seemed good. The kitchen and chefs seemed to run like a well-oiled machine, most of them seemed to be enjoying their work and at the same time being very professional.

A downside was the fresh fish tanks - pretty at a glance but really has no place in modern restaurants imo (unless they are for ambience/goldfish only).

One of the best overall restaurant experiences I have had ever, I will go back at least once sometime.

May 08, 2007 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

Went here with great expectations, was sadly disappointed. After having made a booking we arrived on time to find we had not been entered into their computer system for the evening. Are you sure it was here? I was asked rudely by the waiter, anyway was found a small round table near the bar just enough room for the glassware and oddly shaped plate. After over 20 mins our drinks arrived unfortunately the wrong drinks, still we waited for anyone who would take notice of us feeling hungry after being left for 45 mins but how wrong! We had to wave to get attention. Our waiter was just the rudest I have experienced, he seemed jittery and was sweating madly, perhaps nervous or on something I suspect, his jacket was soiled with traces of food and his breath stank of cigarettes after we had a few questions about what we should eat, he suggested that we hurry up as the kitchen was waiting to close, was it our fault that we had to wait for his rude service! We ordered our entress after another 30 mins they came only to be followed by our mains within 2 mins all this on one tiny table. The food was below average and I must say not worth the money. We were not offered dessert or even coffee, we would not have bothered anyway.

I was shocked to see our waiter enjoying himself with the chef at the bar enjoying beers and talking and laughing loudly as we were still eating our meal. We paid our bill and left, as we passed the bar our waiter looked at us but did not even say good night or thank you, too busy having a good time with his work-mates. May I remind you that without patrons you would not have employment, a simple thankyou goes a long way, and as for bad breath and smoking during your job, it's just not acceptable. I will remember your face and rudeness, and will be writing to your employer and Good Living about your lack of service. Please take my advice give this place a miss.

May 06, 2007 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I went here last night for a work function and I was really impressed. Its the only restaurant on that circular quay strip area that I hadn't been too so I was very interested to taste the food.

I was also very impressed with how they catered for our large table, we had 18 of us at the table and everyone was equally attended too, meals were fabulous, I had the crispy caramel prawns and it was perfect! Great wine list too, all in all it was a really great evening.

Our two waiters were very professional, I felt sorry for them that they had such a large group to deal with, but they took it in their strides and the evening could not have been nicer! Thank you, we shall return!

Apr 03, 2007 

5.3 Average

Food  4      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  1     

The quality of the seafood (mud crab and oysters) is worse than I expected. However, the taste is quite good though. I do not think it is value for money ($560 for 3 of us). I would not go there again.

Jan 27, 2007 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  6      Value  8     

This place is great. This is in the top five meals I have had all year. "Precisely cooked food with incredible flavour". The way the scampi was done re- ignited my love affair with this precious animal.. I am at a loss to comment on the outstanding, because the whole eight courses were brilliant. Décor is quirky and appropriate.

The arrogance of the wine water, (sommelier???) was unprecedented. A grumpy man not fit to be cleaning shoes in an establishment like this one. Overtly rude, ill-informed and very slow. The waiters were polite, courteous and prompt (except the wine water) On the whole wine thing, the wine list was great but if they caped the margin at 200% / bottle it would be great, * I hate spending $250 on a bottle that cost them $30...

Jan 14, 2007 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  7     

We had a great time at Ocean Room. The food is absolutely beautiful and innovative. Love the decor and of course the view is unbeatable! Service is OK but could be better for that price.

Dec 08, 2006 

3 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  2     

Very small servings and terrible service. Waited 1.5 hours for entree and we received our mains 2.5 hours after we first sat down. Even worse we had to wait along time for a drink. In fact we sourced our own wine menu.

Dec 07, 2006 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  8      Value  9     

My husband and I took 2 Taiwanese business associates here one night, amongst giving them the tour of Sydney City. Taking them to the Ocean Room for dinner was a lovely way to finish the evening. They enjoyed the meal very much (which is noteable since they are taken out to prestigious restaurants frequently in their line of work) and we thought it was wonderful. Delicious foods, good service, lovely atmosphere and dining experience.

Oct 15, 2006 

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  4      Value  4     

Look I am sorry I cannot report more positively. But having read the reviews here I can see that some others have experienced the same syndrome as we did last night. Lets start with the positives. I live in the CBD so I don't give two hoots for views. But I liked the room very much, it's quirky and different from anything else I have been to in Sydney. The food was also a bit on the quirky side, well presented and nearly up there with Sydney diner's demanding requirements, it just falls a little short for me. But the cost was very high especially the wines. $10 for a small glass of the one 'cheap' white is too steep. The cheapest bottles are in the $40 to $50 range.

But now we come to the service. Bumbling is how feel about it. Some nice smiles at first greeting and all very well meaning I am sure. But the wait staff compasses must be faulty, because after dropping off the menus and the next visit (too soon) to take our orders, we didn't see them again until I complained. He was a pleasant enough person - waiter or floor manager? I don't know, but I had his ear and let him know, gently, of my disappointment. He was very understanding and said he would fix it. And for a minute or two he seemed to have done that. We were swamped with attention. But it didn't last. And it seemed to me that because we were not ready to order when they were there with pad in hand and pen raised, they decided to punish us. They darted past looking busy and looking the other way, they confered in corners (maybe they are planning their return to our table?), the deliver interesting looking food to other tables, but they don't come near us. So we raise our hands and call out for attention. Of course this works, but it should not be bloody necessary, it erks me! Even if we have been naughty and not been ready! So a potentially pleasant, if expensive, experience was spoiled.

So 2 entrees and a dessert each (there were 4 of us), a single glass and one bottle of wine, mineral water for 3 and coffee for 4, oh and 6 oysters natural, and it came to $372. However I still left a tip, stupid really I know, but maybe it was for early effort and the first smiling faces of the night. Maybe for the quirkiness of the food that I quite like. But I know now I shouldn't have done it. I may go back and give them a second chance, but the jury is still out on that. Clearly some people have enjoyed their experience at the Ocean Room and you can see how it could be possible. It just wasn't for us.

Oct 14, 2006