Casablanca on the river — Restaurant in Miami

So disappointing. Went here on a date last night and we had high hopes.

We started with the shrimp cocktail -- the shrimp tasted pretty clearly frozen, which was surprising given the restaurant is an extension of an actual fishery. We were expecting high-quality, fresh fish.

We both ordered the lobster bisque, which was so over salted that I could not finish it; I sent it back after two bites, and the waiter neither asked how it was (didn't ask if anything was wrong) and didn't take it off the bill. To be fair, my partner agreed that the soup was quite salty but still edible.

Next, we ordered a platter of 12 oysters. I'm a HUGE oyster fan, but was incredibly disappointed with these. Each one had been shucked poorly. Every single oyster had so much sand and shell fragments that I had to pick out chunks from my mouth and spit them out. I gave up eventually and for the first time in my life, I didn't finish my order of oysters. We also asked the waiter for a side of wine vinegar (I've never been served oysters without it), and he instead brought us... white vinegar. Just straight up white vinegar. Never heard of such a thing. LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, if you look at the photo I took of the oysters when they arrived, the limes look... used. And let me tell you, they were. I guess to save on limes they send out pre-squished ones that have been used for squeezing onto other dishes. Was absolutely shocked at that one.

For our main, we ordered the medium crab at MKP price. It was edible, but really not our thing, probably our bad for ordering it but the waiter promised it was going to be delicious.

Desert was the best part of the meal. We got the ice cream sundae with brownie, the brownie was really good, warm, delicious in there. The ice cream was normal vanilla ice cream, but no complaints. Big enough to share for 2. Very yummy.

As for the service- we saw our waiter at the beginning of the meal and pretty much never again. We asked him what he recommended on the menu, and he started listing off the entire menu-- which wasn't really useful, because we could both read, we wanted to know what HE thought was especially good. Other than that, delays in getting his attention, sides, and bill at the end of the night were marked. Asked for the bill and were left waiting for 10-15 minutes; had to track down a different waiter, ask him for the bill, and then wait another 10-15 minutes for that to arrive. He didn't ask how anything was tasting, if he could get us anything, or ask if everything was alright when we kept sending back unfinished dishes.

The meal was $140 plus tip. We were so disappointed that we almost WANTED to come back and give the place another shot, maybe it was just a bad night??? -- but the service was irredeemable. Don't think we'd return- just wish we didn't spend so much money for food we hardly even...

My party of 4 went for a birthday celebration, we got 4 cocktails, which were all good but the server was uninformed on the ingredients of one of the cocktails, this was important as we had a strawberry allergy at the table, 3 appetizers including the oysters, the tuna tartar & the calamari. The oysters were good however extremely poorly shucked, someone may need a bit more training in that department as they were still completely stuck to the shell and had to be dug out at the table, should’ve brought my own oyster knife. The tuna tartar was delicious and the calamari was well cooked. The server was extremely inattentive and it took probably 25 min for us to even get appetizers put in, after appetizers it took another ~30 for our server to come back to get our entree orders, meanwhile we were out of cocktails and water. For entrees we ordered salmon (pan seared) which came out fried (this situation was not rectified in anyway) with a side of vegetables which was undercooked and completely unseasoned. Seafood risotto which in its entirety was over cooked, the Arborio rice was basically a paste, the octopus was overcooked and rubbery as were the shrimp, for a $42 entree it was a very small sad portion and came with 3 pieces of asparagus which were also over cooked and mush. The grilled branzino was fine, under seasoned and for $47?! Highway robbery, it’s Branzino not some delicacy, came with 3 halves of marble potatoes. I also ordered a glass of white wine which I watched sit at the bar for 10 minutes sweating away until our server finally came back and we had to ask for the wine a second time. Overall the dinner took over two and a half hours for two courses of food, the service was slow and then they slap you with an automatic 18% service charge and have the audacity to ask you for additional tip added at the end. I guess when you’re automatically making $50-70 per table why bother giving decent service. Definitely not worth the almost $400 we spent on dinner, can’t...

Nestled along the scenic shores of the Miami river, Casablanca Seafood Bar & Grill stands out as a premier destination for seafood enthusiasts seeking a memorable dining experience. With its inviting ambiance, stunning waterfront views, and commitment to serving the freshest seafood, Casablanca captures the essence of Miami's vibrant culinary scene.

From the moment you step inside, you're greeted by an atmosphere that exudes warmth and elegance. The restaurant's stylish decor, accented by nautical touches and contemporary flair, sets the stage for an unforgettable meal. Whether you choose to dine indoors surrounded by sleek furnishings or opt for al fresco seating on the spacious terrace overlooking the bay, every table offers a front-row seat to Miami's breathtaking skyline.

But it's the menu at Casablanca that truly steals the show. Boasting an extensive selection of seafood delights, each dish is crafted with precision and care, highlighting the natural flavors of the ocean. Start your culinary journey with the signature ceviche, a refreshing medley of fresh fish, citrus, and spices that bursts with flavor. For the main course, indulge in the seafood paella, a hearty dish brimming with shrimp, mussels, clams, and chorizo, all nestled atop a bed of saffron-infused rice.

In addition to its delectable seafood offerings, Casablanca also features a vibrant bar area where expert mixologists craft an array of handcrafted cocktails and libations. Sip on a classic mojito or try one of the restaurant's signature creations while enjoying live music and soaking in the lively atmosphere.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a taste of Miami's coastal cuisine, Casablanca Seafood Bar & Grill offers an unparalleled dining experience that will leave you longing to return again and again. With its exquisite dishes, breathtaking views, and impeccable service, Casablanca is truly a gem on the Miami...