Michael, your marriage is saved
I got a very nice e-mail this morning from the Oceanaire Seafood Room, part of which I'll reprint here, in response to my previous post:
My name is Nate Beachler, I am the General Manager of The Oceanaire Seafood Room. ... I read the blog regarding the gentlemen not being able to reserve a table here for his wife’s birthday and was hoping you could get me in contact with him. I just so happen to have a 7:30 reservation on Thursday and would love to give it to him. ...
Alas, as Faithful Readers know, Michael's son is sick so he and his wife won't be able to take the Oceanaire up on its offer (see his comment under the post), but it suggests that if you are dying to go to a restaurant during Restaurant Week and haven't been able to get a reservation at the time you want, try again. There must be cancellations -- maybe more this time of year when everyone is getting colds and flu than in the summer.
(Algerina Perna/Sun photographer)
Comments
I always knew that Nate was a classy guy!!!
Posted by: kimmer1850 | January 30, 2008 11:43 AM
I've had the fortunate opportunity to meet Nate through some organizations I work with locally - and that's just the type of thing i'd expect from him!!
Posted by: nate is great | January 30, 2008 12:04 PM
I think it's great that Oceannaire has stepped up and graciously offered Michael a 7:30pm reservation.
But I can't help but wonder if they would have been as gracious without the exposure on the Dining@Large? If it had just been some random person calling at the last minute for the busiest hour of the dining room - would they have been accommodated?
Hmmmm...
I thought about that, and then I thought about Owl Meat Jerky and Woodberry Kitchen, and that took me down a peg.
Posted by: Jay C. | January 30, 2008 12:20 PM
Don't do it Michael.
The only reason they're gioving you the table is b/c of the negative publicity they were geting. Besides, they have horrible service.
Spend your money elsewhere!
To be fair, what was the negative publicity they were getting? No shame in being booked during Restaurant Week. You guys are tough :-)
Posted by: Bobby D. | January 30, 2008 2:09 PM
I must say--I'm glad that Michael's son is sick. Last Sunday, I had a meal at Oceanaire, and the service was horrible. The server didn't visit our table after we had been sitting for about 10 minutes. Then, it took him extra long to take our order. Then, my crab cakes came out shredded.
The dining room was more than half-empty.
Posted by: Jay | January 30, 2008 2:12 PM
Don't listen to the naysayers Michael -The Oceanaire is about as classy of a (chain) restaurant that you'll find...and no, I don't work there!
Another request regarding Restaurant Week - if you can't make a reservation, call and cancel. Most of you probably think this is a no brainer, but you wouldn't believe the number of no-shows that the establishment I work at has had already in the first 2 days of this promotion. I've heard from many others that this is an issue at their restaurants as well.
Posted by: A Longtime Server | January 30, 2008 2:33 PM
Oceanaire is where I would go to take my parents if they were Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey (so they could pay for it)...
Love the restaurant though, especially their wide, wide, wide array of oysters
Posted by: Eric | January 30, 2008 3:29 PM
I'm returning to Oceanaire again this year for RW. I went last year and it was fine. Service was a little slow but they were packed, I'm hoping this year is just as good. Last night we went to Bicycle.... very disappointing. All of my favorite things were on their RW menu but were HALF portions of what they normally are. I understand trying to save some money but that's very misleading.
Posted by: Kristen | January 30, 2008 3:52 PM
While I have enjoyed Oceanaire for business dinners, am I the only one that thinks they are 'bush league' for charging $8 for valet parking when you are likely to spend >$75/person for dinner. Many other B-more venues offer free valet. (I usually now find street parking and walk).
Posted by: charlie | January 30, 2008 10:22 PM
We had an amazing experience at Oceannaire during the spring restaurant week. I had a nice calamari (which they kindly agreed to grill instead of fry due to a food allergy at our table). I then had a beautiful piece of fish with guacamole. Can't remember dessert. But we had a great meal with large portions and the service was wonderful. We were all pleasantly surprised at the level of service considering it was restaurant week.
Posted by: Christine | January 31, 2008 11:01 AM
Charlie if you think $8 for valet is bad, go around the circle to Marriott and valet to dine @ Grille 700. $24 for an hour and 15mins! Yes, $24. I pay $30 to park for 24hrs in NYC. NYC we are not. This is outrageous!
Posted by: Aussiewonder | February 1, 2008 9:55 AM
Michael,
I hope you had a wonderful meal at Oceanaire, and yes sometimes there are off nights, but we remain steadfast to the integrity of our service level. I have been in customer service for over 20 years and am still thrilled to see Nate Bleacher, my boss, spend so much time creating a strong staff to care for our guests. I would not work some where that did not value its level of service or food.
Come see me and ask for Lisa, I will take care of you as if were in my own home.
I am a mother of three and wife to a waiter and we do not take going out lightly. We plan on spending at least 150$ for a meal (maybe 6x a year) and look to higher levels of service. I would absolutley go to the Oceanaire for a "Marriage Mender" dinner. And did I mention to ask for Lisa??
You to Jay and Bobby.
Posted by: Lisa hawks | February 3, 2008 9:18 AM