Charlie dishes on Ocean Grill
In his latest restaurant review, Charlie Joseph tells On-StJohn what he thinks of one of the island’s newest restaurants, Ocean Grill.
There should be a big sign out in front of Ocean Grill that says ATTENTION TOURISTS: WE’RE TRYING TO BE A FANCY-PANTS PLACE. Had I known, I woulda brought my cloth napkin attitude with me. I must’ve had various wait staff say “It would be my pleasure, sir” about a dozen times (and I didn’t believe them once.)
I read about this place’s emphasis on innovative dishes. My lunch? “A” for effort, but my pulled pork sandwich was gooey and tough. It was accompanied by a little two-compartment plate with a couple of shavings of red cabbage (the chef’s deconstructed nod to the coleslaw that should’ve come with it) and a tiny little pre-determined squirt of ketchup. Please don’t pre-determine how much ketchup I will use. Especially if you’re going to serve me limp, lukewarm fries. The cold melon soup would have made a good smoothie. It did not make a good cold melon soup. And the prices were high. Ocean Grill gets an “A” for location. It’s an excellent, open air space. The remodeling job is first class. But me thinks both the staff and the kitchen need to lighten up.
Ouch! Okay, thanks Charlie. We’d love to hear from other folks and see if they enjoyed Ocean Grill.
January 25th, 2007 06:46
Thanks Charlie..Looks like I will stick to a Woody’s beer,burger and fries..
January 25th, 2007 08:03
When we were there they hadn’t opened yet but we could see that the place looked great. Hmmm… wonder if we will make it there or not on our next visit?
January 26th, 2007 06:31
Have to disagree with your review, we had an excellent dinner last night. Our server was Kelly, a new employee at Ocean Grill and he couldnt have been more genuine, a good ole boy from North Carolina.
Our meal was excellent, I had the lobster pizzeta, my husband the red curry mussels for app’s and we shared the Mahi Mahi entree, all cooked to perfection. The split Mahi Mahi entree was brought to the table on 2 plates perfectly arranged as if it were one, the veggies were very good too. Our guests had the Rum soaked porktenderloin and the seared Tuna, all delish. The wine list is very good, we shared a bottle of Mantanzas Creek Merlot 2002, I had ordered a botle of Silverado Merlot and it did not taste right to me and they took it back without complaint. The best part of the dinner was desert, my husband and I split the Banana Cake and it was the best cake I ever had! Guests had the cheesecake and they loved it. If I was remarrying down in St John I would have the banana cake as my wedding cake. I have to say that Ocean Grill was our second best meal of the week.
January 26th, 2007 16:21
How many times does Charlie eat at a restaurant before he writes his reviews? Sometimes new places need to work out the kinks. I haven’t been there yet but I think a second look is warranted. Other people I know that reside on St John gave this place a good review!
January 26th, 2007 16:43
I think that Betty’s e-mail is a little fishy.
If she ate there last night did she fly home today and post about it immediately? The time stamp on her post is 6:31 am, is that possible?
just saying…..
January 26th, 2007 18:27
Have to diss with Charlie i live on the island and have ate at the ocean grill a hand full of times and have ben happy each time.sorry Charlie
January 26th, 2007 22:44
To Bad for you Charlie, I had a great experience at the Ocean Grill. I visited it several times during my xmas vacation and was pleased each visit. The fish tacos are delicious, made with the freshest fish and the tortillas are delicate and so tasty. I also sampled the salmon which was mild and perfectly seasoned and the coconut shrimp with mango salsa appetizer was the best I’ve ever tasted. I could go on and on, tomatoe bisque and fillet mignon, and miso wahoo all outstanding! I enjoyed the ambience and the attentive staff, I’m a tourist who prefers the cloth napkin attitude!
January 26th, 2007 23:06
I also questioned Betty’s post. No offense if I’m wrong, but that was an awfully detailed account of dishes and menu items! I couldn’t recall with that kind of detail what I had at a restaurant on vacation, let alone everybody else at my table!
It’s good this site is willing to let readers challenge their restaurant reviews. It would be too bad if places that don’t like their review use “plants” to respond.
I don’t know who this Charlie is and reviewing a place after just one lunch seems pretty brutal, but this site seems straight up. Reviews are always subjective. It is refreshing to not just read glossed over chamber of commerce postings.
Betty, I apologize if you are for real and if so I’m glad you liked this restaurant because it’s on my list of places to try.
January 27th, 2007 07:16
I agree with charlie. We have visited this island for 9 years. This past year we finished construction of our dream home on this rock. Lots of friends came to visit with us and spend new years eve with us. We had 3 separate families, two with children dine with us this particular day. We asked immediately to have the check separated as some would be drinking liquor while others were trying to select meals for their children. We were flat out told no and then the wait staff proceeded to give themselves a 20% gratuity. I have always tipped 20% especially on this island. But not with an absolute disregard for our request backed up by a calculator and a “this will help you separate the bill” from the waitress. It literally took 20 minutes to separate it. Why not write up 3 tickets to assist us and still show it as one bill. No problems for us at any other restuarant. Lime Inn, Banana Deck, Woody’s, Ship Wreck, Sun Dog Cafe and Fish Trap…..No problem Mon! That is the island way. Good luck and wake up. Your clients are your future. Sorry we inconvenienced the wait staff. Maybe get a desk job with out human interaction!
January 27th, 2007 09:30
I live in OR and I spend 1 week a year on st John. I was there in november and had a chance to eat at the ocean grill not a bad place to spend a nite out! Glad i have a place to get real food on my next trip to the J not that it is the only good place cus it is not.
January 28th, 2007 06:07
Betty is real! She left St. John tesyerday morning.
January 28th, 2007 20:27
Hi it is Betty and I am real,I was in St John from 1/18 to 1/27, we stayed at Ebb Tide Villa in Chocolate Hole, if you want to read my trip review you can find it at
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1&topicdays=0&start=0&sid=b4c0ba83892ea8ade41343af999afaea I just happened to read the review the next morning after dining at Ocean Grill and it was fresh in my mind. I brought my laptop down to St John and I went on the site to get the rental manager of Bongo’s phone number when I saw the review. You can verify that I called him and asked if we could see Bongo before we left on Saturday, he said No, that the place was rented through the weekend but gave us directions to drive by. He told us Bongo was available the last 2 weeks of January for us to rent. I stand by my detailed review of Ocean Grill, please read my other reviews and posts at http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com, I am Betty there too
January 28th, 2007 20:32
John
We were dining with another couple and the waiter/Kelly asked us if we wanted 2 checks. We did not as we were treating my sister in law and brother in law, obviously they have changed their policy.
Betty
January 29th, 2007 09:45
I have been following Betty’s trip report over on U-S-V-I-on-line also and can vouch that she is legit. It’s funny how one person’s experience can vary so drastically from another’s based on one server with a bad attitude. It’s a shame. I definitely would have contested the 20% tip from the server with the attitude. I always leave that much or more for good service, not attitude. I’ll try The Ocean Grill on my next visit and I will ask for Kelly.
February 10th, 2007 08:11
Sorry John, but I’ve dined @ almost all of the places you’ve mentioned and none was of the no problem mon attitude when it comes to seperate checks (it’s right on the bottom of most of their menu’s) Do the math yourself if you don’t like the people you’re w enough to split the bill evenly. I waited tables through college, and most places I worked had a no seperate checks policy. It’s a very common practice. By the way, I haven’t eaten @ the Ocean Grille yet, but I look forward to it on my next vacation.
April 9th, 2007 18:38
I agree with charley, the food sucks and very expensive for what it is..better off going somewhere else.