O SEA | seafood for thought — Restaurant in Orange

I would give this place 10 stars if I could, it is just such a refreshing concept that adds a new (and better) flavor profile to the Circle. Being driven by responsibly sourced seafood, the dishes each have a new and modern flavor profile that sets itself apart and above more traditional seafood restaurants (e.g. Bear Flag), and it is amazing that you can get top quality seafood at a reasonable price in a city that doesn't have a coastline. The décor and vibe of the space is also super fun and fresh, and they did a great job incorporating the 1910 constructed building with the modern design.

We tried multiple dishes to share in an effort to sample as much on the varied menu as possible, and we had more than one "That is the best _ I have ever had" moments. Everything was top notch, with the Grilled Avocado, Crispy Oaxacan Hot Shrimp (not too hot, was just perfect), and the Daily Fresh Ceviche all hitting the next level. The Udon Noodle Bowl was extremely good as well (broth was delicious) as was the Burrata w/artisan bread (which comes from Bread Artisan Bakery in Santa Ana and you can tell). All the fish definitely tasted like what you would get somewhere with plates 4x the price.

The other plates and bowls we saw others enjoying all looked awesome, and I plan to go back again tomorrow. It just feels like food that you can eat every day, as the flavors are on par with a high-end restaurant and it is also healthy, quick, and super reasonably priced. I left full, but feeling great, not a big gut-bomb type meal at all despite how much we ate.

Definitely try all of the iced teas/lemonade, and end with the dairy-free Thai Milk Tea as "dessert". Given how good that Thai tea was, I really want to try the Thai Milk Tea Blondie Sundae for dessert, but I was too full from the delicious apps and bowls by then. Just another reason I will be coming back tomorrow and bringing friends.

The wine program is really awesome as well, and also pretty reasonable, with interesting options from boutique locations around the world. You can tell the owner has searched high and low for more interesting wines to share with the community, and I would love to come back for a "wine-tasting" style dinner or happy hour.

Hats off to owner Mike Flynn and Chef David for knocking this one out of the park. If you haven't been yet, I highly recommend a visit ASAP. I am willing to wager you'll be back again in short order for a...

My journey to discover a seafood restaurant that resonates with my palate led me to this charming establishment, where the freshness of its offerings and the skillful preparation left a lasting impression.

Osea's Happy Hour provided the perfect introduction, with a menu that tantalizingly hinted at the broader culinary prowess of the restaurant. The Cioppino, which I was compelled to order twice due to its sheer deliciousness, emerged as the star of my dining experience. Each piece of fish in the Cioppino was meltingly tender, a testament to Osea's mastery in seafood preparation. Despite the broth being a tad sweeter than my liking, the quality of the seafood transcended this minor discrepancy.

The Ceviche, with its clean and healthful taste, showcased a minimalist approach, allowing the natural flavors of the seafood to shine through. The accompanying taro chips, though slightly overcooked, added a thoughtful crunch to this subtly flavored dish.

However, my experience with the oysters was mixed. One arrived with half its shell missing, and my favorite, the Kumamoto variety, was out of stock. This was a slight disappointment, as the full enjoyment of oysters lies in their complete presentation and the slurping of the briny juice.

The Tuna on Rice was a comforting dish from the Happy Hour menu, though it could benefit from a bit more spiciness to elevate its flavor profile.

The service at Osea matched the high quality of the food. Attentive and efficient, the staff ensured that the dining experience was as smooth as it was enjoyable. Their professionalism significantly enhanced the overall ambiance of the restaurant.

In conclusion, Osea has not only met but exceeded my expectations for a seafood dining experience. It stands as a rare gem in the area, reminiscent of the high-quality seafood experiences I've cherished in New York City.

It’s a must-visit for seafood...

This is a gluten free review.

Gluten free menu: Their menu is LOADED with gluten free options that are labeled GF. You don’t need to ask for a special menu.

What I ordered: Started with the Spicy Wild Fijian Albacore Tuna on Crispy Rice. Wild Oregon Cod Ling Fish and Chips as my entree. Chocolate Cake for dessert (oh yeah!)

Gluten free options: 5/5 Almost half the menu says GF. It’s awesome. You’ll find something to eat, no problem.

Food: 3/5 The cod was HUGE and I love that it’s gluten free without request. I can’t think of another place where I can order gluten free fish and chips in Orange County. The food came out hot, fresh, and crispy.

I didn’t love the Tuna dish or the cake. Didn’t finish them. They tasted okay, nothing I’d be craving. I think the Tuna dish would have been next level if it had crispy potato (think hash brown) on the bottom instead of the rice. The rice was over-fried and dark brown. Too crispy throughout. It had only a slight kick, but not too spicy.

I’ve had much better gluten free flourless chocolate cake.

Service: 4/5 Our server was super friendly and attentive. She gave us a rundown on the most popular menu items (most of which were gluten free). It took about 10 mins to receive our appetizer and our entrees came out within 5 minutes after we finished eating the appetizer.

Location: 4/5 It’s in the beginning of the orange circle. Nice area to visit. Parking was easy to find at 5pm on a Friday night.

Ambiance: 4/5 Casual and comfortable environment. I love the minimalist decor. It feels good in here. They had a good designer.

Price: 4/5 $76 for two before tip. Two entrees, appetizer, milk tea, and a dessert. Not bad.

Overall score: 4/5 I’d come back and try some other appetizer, like the grilled octopus, which they say is braised for 2.5 hours then grilled. Seems like a good place to go with at least 4-6 people and share...