When describing Ocean Blues, the three aforementioned questions are always asked. My answer? “Yes!” Ocean Blues is a music venue that happens to serve really good bar food and drinks. The setting is casual and upbeat, with a reasonable stage area, a large bar, a separate dining area with video monitors of the stage and even some outdoor seating. The rooms are well-lit with rich wood, some exposed brick and a classy, comfortable décor suitable for dining or listening to music.
Although the menu does include dinner entrées such as fresh seafood, steak, pork and chicken, the menu is definitely more “bar food”-oriented, offering soups, salads, small plates, burgers, hand-helds and pizza.
For our meals we chose the following:
- Arugula Salad: With fresh strawberries, pistachios, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, sunflower seeds and pomegranate vinaigrette. $7.00
Very generous with the pistachios and sunflower seeds. All ingredients were fresh.
- Oven Fresh Soft Pretzels: Served with spicy mustard and pimento cheese dips. $8.00
Four long pretzels, "Charmin" soft and warm---a great nosh. We liked both dips but preferred the traditional mustard.
- Deep Sea Fish Tacos: Four flour mini tacos stuffed with fish. $9.00
Great appetizer for sharing or a light meal for one. A piece of grouper and slaw in each little taco.
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Hot buffalo chicken and mozzarella cheese. Served with blue cheese for dipping. All pizzas are cooked to crispy perfection and cut into squares for sharing! Small $10.00 Large $15.00
A crispy, thin-crusted pizza, reminiscent of a Midwestern bar style but not quite as thin. A good balance of toppings, not very spicy.
- Vegetarian Pizza: Portabella mushrooms, artichoke hearts, tomato, black olives, garlic, spinach and mozzarella. Small $10.00, Large $15.00
It passed the ultimate test for a thin-crusted pizza, demonstrating a good balance and proportions on toppings. Flavorful, and most important, not soggy!
- Build Your Own Burger: Burger and bun. $8.00 Add items for just $.50 each. Served with your choice of fries, sweet potato tots, homemade chips or coleslaw.
A generous sized burger that was mouthwateringly juicy and full of beefy flavor. A great companion to a beer!
- Off the Hook Fish Sandwich: Have it your way ... grilled, blackened or fried. MKT PRICED Served with your choice of fries, sweet potato tots, homemade chips or coleslaw.
The fish sandwich was fresh, delicious, moist, and well-seasoned. The coleslaw was a bit bland for me; I prefer it a little tangier.
Ocean Blues offers a full bar service, beer, wine and soft drinks to accompany your meals. The waitstaff members are very friendly, quick to take your drink requests, efficient and helpful in making suggestions on menu items.
After our first visit to Ocean Blues, we were a tad confused. Was it a bar, restaurant or music venue? Upon further thought and a few more visits, we came to the conclusion that Ocean Blues is first a music venue with really good food. Why not give it a try and decide for yourself? Either way, we think you will have fun. Let us know your thoughts.
Ocean Blues
1936 Hillview Street
Sarasota, FL 34239
(941) 366-3010
oceanblues.net
facebook.com/oceanbluessarasota?ref=ts&fref=ts
