The main floor of a professional building, right by the corner of Allendale Road and Calgary Trail, isn’t the first place you’d think of when the word “seafood” enters the conversation.
But it’s exactly where you’ll find the new Oceania Grill. And while you can’t bring Allendale to the sea, you can try and bring the sea to Allendale. Fishing nets, shaped into clouds, hang from the ceiling. One light is bathed in blue and aquamarine lights, giving the effect of ocean waves. The big-screen TV displays visuals of the ocean. As I ponder what to order, I watch a sea turtle patrol the ocean floor. And, the music? Dance party — as in, total dance party. The techno bleeps and bloops, the lights play on the wall, the turtle’s beak crunches on some sea moss. No, I did not smoke anything before I got here.
Of course there’s a cocktail menu, and, keeping with the theme, I order the Ocean Blue. It’s a concoction of blue Curacao, gin, lime juice, syrup and soda that’s pretty darn refreshing. Best part? It’s served in a fishbowl glass, which comes with its own perch. Well played, Oceania Grill, well played.
On the lunch menu. you’ll find the Baked Seafood. This is what I go with — and what I get is a bowl filled with potatoes, celery and a healthy helping of mussels, scallops, shrimp and crab sticks. It comes with a mozzarella cream sauce and a topping of cheese. It’s pretty decadent, and the shellfish is well done; it’s chewy, but not rubbery. There’s just the right amount of cheese in there; after all, the shellfish are supposed to be the stars, here.
Now, back to the fishbowl. This cocktail isn’t supposed to drink itself. And, hello, Mr. Sea Turtle!
Oceania Grill
Allendale | 6104 104 St NW, Edmonton | 825.480.7799 | oceaniagrill.com
