Crab Cake Dinner Crab Cake Dinner
Ocean Blue Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Ocean Blue Restaurant & Oyster Bar

118 Columbia Street Utica, NY 13502, United States

Bars • Meat • Seafood • American


"From the moment we stepped into Ocean Blue, we were enveloped in an atmosphere that was welcoming and warm—a perfect setting for a memorable dining experience. Ocean Blue has a casual and subtle speakeasy vibe which is accentuated by soft lighting and tasteful decor; it set the stage for what turned out to be an exceptional evening. We started our culinary journey with the Rhode Island calamari, which was a delightful introduction to the evening. Tender and perfectly fried, the calamari was complemented by cherry peppers that added just the right amount of kick, elevating this classic appetizer to new heights. Next came the Stuffed Haddock. This dish was flaky, moist, and infused with a harmonious blend of flavors that showcased the freshness of the seafood. The jalapeño creamed corn was outstanding, as the taste made every bite a true delight; you won't regret ordering this side dish! The Crab Cake Dinner was equally impressive. Each cake was packed with succulent crabmeat and seasoned to perfection, served with a side that was equally delectable. It was evident that the chefs at Ocean Blue take pride in their craft, using high-quality ingredients that shine without being overpowered by heavy sauces. To complement our meal, we indulged in craft cocktails—the Below Daiq and the Mezcal Fizz. Both drinks were expertly crafted, showcasing a balance of flavors that highlighted the creativity and skill of the mixologists. The Below Daiq, with its refreshing notes, was a particular favorite, perfectly paired with the seafood. Finally, we couldn't resist the allure of dessert and opted for the crème brûlée. It was the perfect conclusion to an already stellar meal. What truly set Ocean Blue apart was the impeccable service. All members of the establishment worked as a team; they were attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable about the menu, and enthusiastic. Price range: Be prepared to pay a bit more, but enjoy treating yourselves."

Cioppino's

Cioppino's

400 Jefferson St, 94109, San Francisco, United States

Pizza • Salad • Pasta • Italian


"Went for Dinner Food 5/5. Appetizers were a mixed bag. The garlic fries barely had any garlic flavor and the bruschetta's bread was basically a crouton. The toppings were flavorless so it might as well have been raw tomatoes. Thankfully, Cioppino's really turned it around when it comes to their seafood. The fried calamari had perfect texture on the squid with just the right amount of springy bite with a light, crispy breading. Seafood risotto was unlike most risottos I've had as it lacked dairy of any kind and was more reminiscent of a congee; a delicious congee! It was loaded with fresh seafood that added a great bite and the rice really soaked up the rich seafood broth. Their namesake dish was phenomenal! It was loaded with crab and snapper which had that nice firm yet tender texture you get from perfectly cooked seafood. Tomato broth gave the nice hint of acid to make you crave the next bite and the garlic toast was great at being a sponge for everything. The only gripe was that there was way too little garlic toast for such a big bowl and the regular toast they gave us were hard as bricks. Service 5/5. Friendly and attentive service. The staff was kind and quick to requests. They comped the dessert as a birthday gift which is always appreciated. Value 4/5. Prices are fair especially given the tourist spot location with most entrees being in the 20s to 30s range. Portion sizes are large, especially the Cioppino, and worth the experience for its price tag. Some of the items, although small, were really bad so a bit of value is lost there but overall the experience was fantastic. Parking Street (Metered)"

Villa Pub Grill

Villa Pub Grill

931 Old William Penn Hwy, 15717, Blairsville, United States

Pubs • Pizza • Grill • Lunch


"Driving along 22 I always see a billboard for this place. The burger on the billboard is very enticing and decided on my day out why not finally give it a try. The billboard does not lie either, it's just a right at the next light and you are there. Pulling in I was a bit surprised by the location. Right on the corner at the end of the road. The parking lot is a bit wonky, but there appears to be enough parking. This also shares with a beer to go/pizza place. Walking in this place you feel like you are in a bar more than a restaurant. The bar takes up a good portion of the space with tables of both high top variety and low top variety around the area. I decided to sit at the bar as to not take up a table since I was there by myself. While sitting there for a few minutes I took in my surroundings. You can tell that this a beloved local establishment. As I sat there a multitude of people came in. Some to chat, some to pick up an order they called in for dinner that night, some to have a meal. But each time this happened, a conversation would start with someone already inside. It was a bit amusing. I was given a menu to look over and placed my drink order. One thing that I didn't care for was the automatic placing of popcorn in front of you. Due to allergies I cannot have corn, so it was like a big tease to me, even though I shook my head no and had my hand up, it was still placed in front of me. Time came and I placed my order. I went with the Backyard BBQ Burger. The description of this goes: A juicy burger smothered in barbeque sauce and topped with crispy onion rings. When I say they weren't lying, they weren't lying. This thing came out and it truly was smothered in barbecue sauce. I'm not complaining there as the sauce has a nice hint of spice and, in all honesty, was what I was looking for. The onion rings were in fact crispy which gave it a nice textural component. Very satisfying. It's also great that the burgers come from a local butcher and is 100% grass fed. The burgers come with potato chips and a pickle spear. Or you could do like I did and upgrade it to hand cut fries. Those fries were amazing. Reminded me of when you just fry up some potatoes at home. A nice crunch on the outside and nice potato-y inside. Service was top notch and I would definitely stop in again. They also have six packs to go. Big screen televisions."