05/11/09

Great location, mediocre food & service

by cdcny

I went to Oceana last Saturday night. Surprisingly even at 7PM the place was dead. We were one of only about 4-5 groups in the entire restaurant. View was nice. My food was below average but in Oceana's defense everyone else in my group liked their food. So maybe I just got a lot. Service was OK but not very friendly or overly helpful. Unles this night was an exception, I don't think they will be in business for much longer.

• Pros: Harbor view
• Cons: Overpriced food that IMO is not very good

05/11/09

VERY Disappointing Mother's Day Brunch

by 22Foodie22

I was VERY disappointed in our Mother's Day Brunch. After being shut out of Henrietta's where we went last year, I had hopes of entertaining my mother and father with a worthy dining experience. This was DEFINITELY not worth the price we paid and was below average hotel dining. The waitstaff was sloppy and the food was even more disappointing with overcooked fish, greasy sauces, tasteless waffles and limited appetizer offerings. The salad consisted of just lettuce and 2 choices of dressings. The shrimp cocktail and the raspberry lemon cake, however, were delicious. Stop in for dessert but make a reservation elsewhere for the main event.

• Pros: Waterfront Location
• Cons: Terrible Food and Service

11/04/06

Abusing the costumer

by liveinboston

I reserve at Oceana for a Saturday night for 3 reasons: 1. My father, would not stand in a restaurant in South End to wait for a table for 1hr 2. My grand-mother will be present, and she can not wait for a table for 1 hr. 3. Oceana offers 2 hrs free valet parking! We arrived on-time for our early, 7:00 pm reservation, but had to wait 15 minutes to be sat although there are obviously free tables, and we have an old person with us. So we find place at the bar, and wait forever to be served, while there was no other costumer to be served at that moment. Once were finally sat at our table, we made up our mind quite fast and ordered. Nothing comes, not even bread! Its already 7:35 pm. We ask for bread, and we had to ask for the wine list, that they forgot to give us. We order the wine, which comes immediately, and have to wait for the bread still, so we asked for it again. Finally, by 7:45, the bread comes, then only at 7:55 comes the appetizers (raw oysters and fried calamari why did it take so long?). I asked them to speed up for the entries, which were OK but nothing unforgettable, then asked them again to speed for the check. At this point, we waited a lot, were not impressed by the food, and were closing on those two hours of free valet parking, and franckly, it was not worth staying there any extra minute. We finally made it out close to those 2 hrs, unfortunately 2 minutes late for the valet parking, at which point they were trying to make us pay an extra hour, and its $25.00 per hour, this parking. We negociated away. In conclusion, avoid the place: the staff is going out of its way to do whatever they can to ignore you so you get over the 2 hours free parking, and the food has absolutely nothing special to it. Now, if you just want to have a nice view during the day while eating, sure, no problem, but this place is definitely not for a dining experience.

• Pros: 2 hrs free parking, view during the day
• Cons: wait, staff, mediocre quality of food

10/23/06

The Marriott Long Wharf's in-house restaurant serves tourist-friendly seafood with a view.

by Contributor

The Scene
Located in one of the city's biggest, busiest hotels, business travelers and tourists fill the majority of the tables in the semicircular, nautically-themed dining room. For those not interested in dinner, there's a terrace bar that sits just outside of the dining room and has the same panoramic view of the harbor and its vessels. The spacious indoor bar has a good selection of beers and an extensive wine list. Service in all quarters is friendly.

The Food
Spare preparations of fresh fish and steaks are of decent quality. Starters include fresh salads and homemade soups and chowders. Thick cuts of swordfish and mako shark, grilled and served with lemon, are typical of the entrees. Accompaniments like sauteed mushrooms and potato cakes help add flavor to the meals. Desserts like toasted coconut cream pie with a Macadamia shell are large enough to share.

10/17/06

Great Food - Great Service

by scavuzzo

I was in town on business and staying at the Marriott. I dined several times at Oceana and was never disappointed! The food was always just as I ordered and was delicious every time. My server was very attentive to my needs. I would highly recommend this restaurant!

• Pros: Convenient, Great Selection of food and wine, Fantastic Service.
• Cons: I can't eat here every night!!

10/17/06

Excellent Food, Service, Selection, and Atmosphere

by gdaniels99

We arrived at Oceana on a Saturday night a half hour before our reservation. We sat at the bar for a drink while waiting for our table. I enjoy microbrewed beers very much, but did not want to spoil my appetite by filling up. However, I noticed that they serve Franziskaner Heifeweizen on draft which surprised me! Few restaurants in this area serve this highly esteemed Wheat beer. I also noticed locally brewed beer such as Harpoon IPA, Whale's Tail Ale (from Nantucket), Wachusett Country Ale, and Sam Adams Seasonal (among about 10 others). We were looking over the menu and asked the bartenders what to drink with dinner. They recommended a glass of Piper Heidsieck Champagne with the lobster and a glass of Chateau St. Michelle Canoe Ridge Chardonnay with the veal (signature dish).

The walk to the restaurant boasted glass encased boats coupled with wood flooring which created an intangible brilliance. Set in a beautiful room that overlooks the Longwharf Harbor lays the dining room. At our window seat, we could see shimmering lights of both buildings and boats shining off the water.

We started off with soups and salads and ordered exactly what we discussed with the bartenders. The presentation of the Veal Oceana was stunning. It came on a wave shaped plate, served with lobster meat, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. The two pound stuffed lobster was spectacular as well.

Leaving the restaurant, we passed by the bar area again and a jazz band was playing. We were going home, but we thought we might as well enjoy live music and some dessert. We ordered a fondue which had homemade marshmallows! We had a glass of Quinta do Noval 20 year old Port and a glass of the 150 year commemorative Gran Marnier.

Everything was perfect! The food and service were both outstanding while the atmosphere offered an elegant compliment. I recommend this establishment to anyone and everyone. I will certainly be back!

• Pros: 2 hour validated valet parking

10/17/06

great service all around

by pat1224

The service is great, who needs new york when we have the best in boston.

the veiw,food,service, we are talking class when you eat here, no matter what your taste buds are.

do you like to be pampered, well this is where you want to be.

i have been to many other marriott's in and out of state, all are great but this is the greatest.

so if you live here or from out of state. this is a must be place to go.

do not take my word alone. go and find out for your self.

but it never hurts to hear it from someone else.

• Pros: aal great
• Cons: none

03/20/06

Boston's Hidden Gem

by mdm35

The best view in the city backed up by excellent service and food. This is a great place to take a date. The clams and Chorizo are a great way to start a meal. The Stuffed Jumbo shrimp where stuffed with large pieces of lump crab meat. They also have some great beers on tap. I had a Old Chubs Scottish ale that was fantastic. Can not go wrong!!

03/11/06

Exceptionality Poor Quality Food!

by jtboston

Everyone in our group (7 diners) agreed that this is one of the worst hotel restaurants we have ever experienced. The main course fish and steak dishes were so dry and tasteless. The appetizer and dessert were average. The wine selection is decent. The clueless waiter provided almost no service as he knew the 18% tips will automatically be included in the bill. Disappointed in Marriott for running this type of restaurant! Plenty of other much better dinning options in the area and the Faneuil Hall food court is even better.

03/10/06

Fresh but badly cooked food

by email2gl

Went to oceana for restaurant week -- the main course was awful -- the fish was so overcooked -- no one in our party of 7 liked it -- the servicec was so.so.