Note from Editor, April 2016: Oceanaire closed.
As many of you know, brunch is a popular institution up north. Of course, particularly in winter in New York, Chicago or other points north, there’s no competition from the beach, boating,or other outdoor activities. So, brunch has been slow to catch on here with primarily luxury hotels offering the weekend special or, at the other end of the spectrum, middle of the road eateries. Now, happily things are changing with more solid options of fine fare, quality service, reasonable prices, and attractive surroundings.
One of those new options we tried out was The Oceanaire Seafood Room, 900 South Miami Avenue, in Mary Brickell Village (t.305-372-TUNA). With large tables spaced well apart, leafy trees for shade, and professional service in a café atmosphere, it’s a delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. But of course, the food needs to be up to Miamicurated’s picky standards, as well it is. First, the menu offers a well chosen selection heavy on the seafood selections, from oysters, mussels and crab cakes, to seafood salads (love the seafood cobb with crabmeat and shrimp), caviar, and the freshest of fish served grilled or broiled.
After all, though, this is brunch so we had to throw carb caution to the wind and try the breakfast style selections. Our favorite hands down, and one of Chef Roc’s picks, was the fried chicken and Belgian waffle with maple syrup. The chicken was filleted and perfectly fried, crispy without a hint of grease, and tender inside. To my surprise it was an exciting counterpoint to the waffle and syrup. We longed for more. Then, we tried the seafood scramble — scrambled eggs, crab, shrimp, smoked salmon and onions, rich with chunky pieces of lump crabmeat. We decided to pass up a house specialty and crowd favorite, the Oceanaire jumbo lump crabcake benedict (a little rich for our tastes), but didn’t forgo the Nueske farms breakfast meat platter with sausage, Canadian bacon and oh that Nueske bacon – thick, rich in flavor, and well charred. In a caloric orgy (no dinner for us), we also had some hashed browns and to be “healthy”, assorted vegetables.
Desserts aren’t on the menu (thank goodness) and we didn’t even ask. Two espressos and we were on our way, walking home on a fine winter day and ready for a siesta. Brunch at Oceanaire Seafood Room averages about $30 a person including a mimosa or bloody mary, tax and service (higher for fish entrees).
