Oceano Bistro — Restaurant in Clayton

Update 4/13/19. Google would not let me add a new review...only edit my review from Valentine's Day. If you are interested in that one it is listed below. That review was only 1 star as Oceana really struggled this last Valentine's Day. I wrote the review and received a very nice note from the General Manager, Tim Corley apologizing for our experience. He also encouraged us to come in and give them another try and they would cover the bill!

So...my wife and I went in last night and had an experience that was incredible. First, when I asked for Tim, he came right over and we introduced ourselves. He knew who we were and we had a very pleasant conversation. He also told us that OpenTable really messed up their system on Valentine's Day and allowed multiple reservations beyond their capacity. He stated that is why they were so backed up and behind on that day.

My wife and I both had the Mussels, Truffle Scallops, Potato cake and the Risotto. They were all incredible! For dessert we had the Chocolate Chip cookies and I had the peach cobbler. Everything was incredible snd they all made us feel like royalty.

Tim checked in multiple times with us as well as the other two gentlemen who manage the restaurant.

As I mentioned, there was no bill....they took care of everything!

Will we be back? ABSOLUTELY!

Thank you so much for taking the time to let us re-celebrate Valentine's Day Oceana style!

See you soon.

Jim and Cindy

We arrived at our designated reservation time (7:45PM) only to find people standing out the door in the line to check in for reservations!. It took us nearly 20 minutes just to check in for our table. We then learned that they were running 45 minutes to an hour behind. We made it to the bar to wait another 10 minutes for a drink. Eventually we got to one of what looked like the "overflow tables" since we were essentially right next to two other couples. This was around 8:45PM so we thought "hey we have a seat let's enjoy the meal". The Valentine's menu included a Paella entree that looked excellent, so I didn't even look at the rest of the menu. When our server, who was fine the entire meal by the way, finally came over to take our order, I learned that they were out of the Paella. So I ordered the "Shellfish Soffritto: mussels, shrimp, king crab, sea scallop, lobster broth, risotto cake ($38)". My wife ordered the most expensive item on the menu, the surf and turf. It is supposed to come with a lobster tail and an 8 oz filet. So when the dinners arrived, my wife's surf and turf was a lobster tail and a sirloin! The kitchen subbed out the filet for a sirloin. We had to call the waitress over and when we asked about it, she said "oh yeah, we are out of the filet". On what planet is it OK to swap a Filet for a sirloin without telling the customer? The waitress asked what we would like to do. I suggested another lobster tail, but wait...they were out of those too -- on Valentine's Day at what is now around 8:45 - 9:00 and new diners were still coming in the front door. At this point we asked for a Manager to discuss our options. We also suggested that we wouldn't be paying for the meal and asked her to take the steak away (which she brought back in a box and our dog will be eating it since neither of us like sirloin steaks). The manager never came by at any time during the meal and the $58 dinner was reduced to $20, which I guess is an acceptable consolation prize. The kitchen staff looked frazzled all night and the service was OK. We eat out at least once a week and many times at several of St. Louis' top restaurants. This was by far the worst we have experienced in over a year. If their performance on Valentine's Evening is anything like their normal performance, I find it hard to believe that the ratings on this website and Tripadvisor are accurate...

Updated 2023 (4 stars) Service improved. Asparagus with my scallops was again, very thick and fibrous. Overall, very pleased with our experience that day. Updated 2022 We visited on the day after Mother's Day (2022) and ordered the usual: calamari, beef carpaccio, seafood sofrito, and sea scallops. I also decided that I wanted a surf and turf meal, so I also ordered a filet. The server took our order and then when they brought out the carpaccio, they told us they were out of the calamari. Okay, fine, considering we had another appetizer. Then, no more than 10 minutes before we got our entrees, the server came over and said they were out of scallops. I normally don't get the steak, so I'm glad I ordered an extra entree ahead of time. I wouldn't care if food gets sold out, but they waited so late to tell us and it didn't happen at that time; the manager told us they sold out the day prior. We were disappointed to say the least. My husband and I have visited this restaurant on several occasions. I used to enjoy flawless meals, but I'm now contemplating if I want to go back. I always order their scallops because everything about the dish is wonderful...usually. I thought the scallops looked undercooked this time around, but I'm not a chef nor an expert so I dug in. There was sand in the scallops and the asparagus were so thick that I had a hard time even cutting them apart. I also ended up getting a really bad stomach ache. I would also say that this restaurant just can't seem to get the creme brulee down. It's my favorite dessert and it's always just slightly overcooked. I don't like chunks in my creme brulee.

In the beginning, we were always sat in the back along the wall and there was a really great server (John I think was his name). The past two times we've gone, we were seated in other areas and have gotten mediocre service--at best. There is nothing more frustrating than feeling ignored. After we got our appetizers and our meals, our server did not check on us a single time until we were done, although he walked by our table a dozen times. He had the time to go smoke a cigarette, but not enough to stop by and ask, "how is everything?"

I used to love this place, but now I'm...

Lovely upscale eatery with very reasonable prices and a chef who knows his stuff! We have eaten here twice now. Both times we were very happy with the quality of the food and the prices. Actually, compared to other steakhouses like Capital Grille or Ruth Chris, OB compares nearly equally in flavor and quality of their meat but cost less. So you can get a great steak here for a better price IMO. The Cesar salad is better than the average salad elsewhere. The shrimp bisque missed IMO, kinda flat and watery with flavor yet had a frothy texture that did not work for me. The seafood chowder however was very good, rich and creamy, loaded with chunks of goodness, not just the typical deplorable thick liquid like other places. The crab cakes are also good choices that are prepared well and of good flavor, but not so much the shrimp appetizer, way too much tomato to shrimp ratio for a starter course. The salmon was another home run. Substantial serving and cooked medium to perfection with some crisp edges yet light and oh so deliciously soft inside. Paired with a bacon wrapped potato pancake and finished with a velvety apple cider sauce on the bottom that balances the dish perfectly. Who knew! Reminded me of a warm German potato salad flavor when eaten together, which I loved. Huge flavor profile in this dish. I loved this dish the most. Best salmon so far in St. Louis! The scallops are also good... but like most places I don’t think they’re a good value when you only get 3, even if they’re large. Who can get full on 3 scallops?! Come on people! Not worth the price. Haute cuisine humbug! As far as service, the first time was spot on. The second time, the waiter fumbled the ball terribly. We had to ask for... water refill, silverware, bread, and our cocktails; he brought the wrong wine we noticed after opening-at a cost of $35 difference; he served our entrees before our soup came; he failed in every way and should not be waiting tables here without better training. And that’s the reason for 4 instead of 5 stars. OB is definitely worth your time and money. A very enjoyable experience with the...