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by Jeff Levine, Pompano Beach News Columnist

OCEANIC POMPANO BEACH: After a successful week of pre-opening soft launch service and a VIP party last night, the highly anticipated Oceanic Pompano Beach restaurant, is set to open today at 2:30. With the weather the way it’s looking, there’s a good chance they won’t be opened for the entire holiday weekend but everything seems set for the grand opening day.

Below you will find pictures of the VIP Party that will also give you a great feel for what the restaurant looks like.  Make sure to check out the “Fire Lady” pictures.  We’re also including the official menu for the grand opening day of Oceanic Pompano Beach so you can get a feel for what their food will be like.

Several members of Pompano! Magazine staff have already been to the Pompano Beach restaurant multiple times so we can share some thoughts about what to expect if you are going to Oceanic today or in the near future.

>>FOR MORE RESTAURANT REVIEWS AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS, CHECK OUT OUR NEW POMPANO BEACH RESTAURANT CLUB AND DEERFIELD BEACH RESTAURANT CLUB FACEBOOK PAGES.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT OCEANIC?

If you guessed the ocean and beach views, you’d be wrong.  Yes, the views are spectacular, among the best ocean views of any restaurant in South Florida.  The restaurant is literally on the beach sand which is pretty unique.  And, the sight lines of the ocean, the beach and the newly rebuilt Pompano Beach Fishing Pier are remarkable, especially if you are on the open air second floor.

IF THE VIEW ISN’T THE BEST THING ABOUT OCEANIC POMPANO BEACH, THEN WHAT IS?

It’s the staff.  They are professional, friendly and remarkably on top of things.  My waitress for dinner one night, Cierra, was so poised you would think she had been working there for years.  Every other staff member I came across seemed friendly and eager to help.  That’s pretty rare for a staff that has only been working together for a few days.  It’s clear that the owners and management of the new Pompano Beach restaurant know what they are doing.  They made good hires and trained them well.

SO, WE’VE COVERED THE VIEW AND THE STAFF, WHAT ABOUT THE FOOD?

Also, really good.  Prices aren’t cheap but they are certainly in line with other similar restaurants like Oceans 234 in Deerfield Beach. I had the Cashew Crunch Chicken salad (one of several entrees for under $20).  It was quite enjoyable and the serving size was very generous.  In general, all of the entrees we tried were tasty and the portions were made for a take home doggy bag.  One example would be their Baby Back Ribs ($29).  Huge serving size. Lots of meat that melts off the bones.

The primary focus is seafood.  We sampled the shrimp, crab cakes and salmon.  All were fresh, full of flavor and more than amply portioned.  Most of the seafood entrees are in the $30s price range.

IS THERE ANYTHING THEY CAN WORK ON?

For a brand new place not a whole heck of a lot.  The mashed potatoes with lobster and cajun gravy side dish is one of the most intriguing items on the menu.  All three of the key ingredients are great on their own, but put together seemed to be an odd combination.  I’d still recommend you give it a try as it is a dish you probably won’t find elsewhere.

The bar had a few kinks to work out, which is understandable considering we were attending a soft launch.  We’re hoping they can add some frozen drinks to the bar menu.  It seems like a frozen daiquiri or margarita would be the perfect companion to watch the waves come in with.  Several people (including me) mentioned that their drinks seemed a little light on the liquor.  We were told they have strict “corporate pour” rules.  I think it would be nice if they could loosen up those “rules” a bit.  If done right, there will be few better things to do in Broward County than sipping a nice cocktail while sitting by the open air upstairs bar during happy hour.

Several of the dishes were surprisingly spicy including the Baby Back Ribs and Mojo Shrimp.  Not overly spicy but hotter than the average ribs or shrimp entree.  We would simply recommend that the menu indicates which items are extra spicy.

Even more than the neighboring Pompano Beach House which opened a year ago, Pompano Beach is counting on Oceanic to become a landmark Pompano Beach restaurant that can help drive folks from all over the area into the city’s renovated beach area and the soon (semi-soon?) to be finished Pompano Beach Fishing Village.  So far, Oceanic is well on its way to living up to that lofty goal

Oceanic is located at 250 North Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach. Call (954) 366-3768.

Pompano! Magazine has been writing about Oceanic since before the Pompano Beach restaurant even broke ground.  One of the most interesting stories we published was a “BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR OF POMPANO BEACH’S OCEANIC RESTAURANT” which included an interview with the owners.  If you haven’t already read the story, click here to read it now.

>>FOR MORE RESTAURANT REVIEWS AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS, CHECK OUT OUR NEW POMPANO BEACH RESTAURANT CLUB AND DEERFIELD BEACH RESTAURANT CLUB FACEBOOK PAGES.

For our comprehensive guide to the most popular Pompano Beach restaurants, Lighthouse Point restaurants  and Deerfield Beach restaurants, click here.

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This post was prepared by staff at Point! Publishing. For inquiries call 954-603-4553.

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