Big thanks to Ocean Pacific Grille for inviting me to review their restaurant. All pictures are PoshJournal’s and opinions and viewpoints are based on our own experiences.
Downtown San Diego keeps upping its game as a destination for food and entertainment, with Ocean Pacific Grille topping our list for best new restaurants in the area. Going there is refreshing in every sense of the word, from the stylish atmosphere to the hip drinks and especially the Pacific Rim style cuisine. Each dish brings creativity in fusions unlike anywhere else, with a simplicity and pureness that lets the flavors themselves stand-out. It is one of those restaurants that had us thinking about and craving their food for days.
The genius behind the Ocean Pacific Grille’s flavors is Executive Chef Charles Andres, who spent many years crafting his skill at the Monte Carlo Hotel And Casino, Roy’s Maui and the Rusti Harpoon in Kaanapali Maui, HI. His carrier path guiding him to where he is now, opening Ocean Pacific Grille. Chef Andres also draws a lot from his family and childhood. He cooks with many of the traditional Filipino ingredients he watched his grandma and mom use while growing up in the Philippines, and applies the same passion for cooking that he learned from his father while he was a teenager in Hawaii. Adding to this rich background of tradition and experience is a brave, “no boundaries” approach in the cooking styles, ingredients and complex flavors that you’ll find at Ocean Pacific Grille.
We have tried quite a few dishes from the menu at Ocean Pacific Grille, below are some of our favorites.
Herb Grilled Island Opah with Celery Puree
The opah taste was spot-on and complimented well with local baby vegetables and garnished with watermelon radish. The baby carrots were confit in olive oil and a pattypan curry that is amazing but not overpowering. A flavorful ingredient that worked so well with the opah is the kabocha squash. We should note that the seafood at Ocean Pacific Grille is always premium and often local, as is the specialty produce (from Santa Monica farmer’s market and other choice sources).
Olive Oil Charred Octopus
Octopus is a popular dish these days, and this one stands out. It is slightly charred and mixed with Asian influences (including one of my favorites, jicama). The octopus is pressure cooked in lemon, ginger, lemon lime oranges and pickled in sukaan ilocano. Blood Orange jelly, grilled hearts of palm, watermelon radish, watercress round out the flavors on this beauty.
Longanisa Flatbread
Longanisa is a traditional style of sausage from the Philippines with vinegar and garlic savory flavors. This dish combines a tomato and onion salad, all atop a garlic butter flatbread. This was another favorite of ours, it tasted like comfort food, elevated to a new level.
Miso glazed C.A.B. Burger 8 oz.
This burger is glazed with miso lemongrass when grilled, and served with a Korean kimchee aioli. It’s served on a brioche bun, with lettuce, tomato and a side of fries (that don’t even need ketchup). A burger at just an average restaurant is the same price or higher, and here at Ocean Pacific Grille you are getting a top-notch cut of beef with some visionary flavors.
Crispy Skin Sea Bass
Ocean Pacific Grille’s take on a traditional Senegong dish (tamarind tomato-based broth). A prime seabass with crispy skin, baby bok choy, Chinese long beans, toite, 2 green lipped mussels. The broth (made in-house) has ginger, tomato, lemon grass, tamarind based, fish bone and water. The dish has intelligent flavors and textures: a little bit of fish sauce gives a slight touch of tanginess alongside the savory broth, with the flaky, mild seabass. This is one of the most popular dishes and for good reason.
Ocean Pacific Grille has a killer location right in the center of downtown, close to the Horton Plaza mall and all of the best nightlife. If you’re looking for dining on 5th Street or 6 Street in the Gaslamp look no further. With the food and décor the dining room is perfect for date night: upscale yet unpretentious. The bar area has the same appeal, with flat screen TVs and lots of comfortable tables to enjoy the same amazing food. Even the bathrooms are unique and chic.
One thing I noticed is that the Ocean Pacific Grille has insanely low prices for happy hour. With its modern look, passerby on the street looking in may assume that the bar is extremely expensive but that’s not the case: Happy Hour bar menu items $6; Craft Cocktails $7; Beers $4. They even offer a reverse happy hour from 9-11 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Ocean Pacific Grille
531 F St. San Diego, CA 92101
info@oceanpacificgrille.com
Tel: 619-578-2828
Fax: 619-578-2760
Amanda
Dec 17, 2015 at 3:02 pmWow, these dishes look absolutely amazing. I love getting fresh local seafood and produce when I can, so I think the sea bass would be my favorite.
Jeanette
Dec 17, 2015 at 3:20 pmSome amazing looking dishes. I don’t even like seafood, but the way that you take the picture it looks so good I might have to eat it off my screen.
patricemfoster
Dec 17, 2015 at 3:57 pmDishes look temptingly delicious especially the seafood.. Sea Bass. Octopus may be popular not ready to explore the taste yet thanks for sharing.
Liz Mays
Dec 17, 2015 at 5:33 pmI would love to have some seafood at this restaurant. My daughter would be so down to check this place out with me.
Elizabeth O.
Dec 17, 2015 at 5:34 pmI would love to dine here! The flat bread and the burger made me curious! The dishes look really lovely too.
Ricci
Dec 17, 2015 at 8:26 pmThat Sea Bass looks amazing!! I wish I could go there!!
connie creatively renewed
Dec 17, 2015 at 8:28 pmIt all looks so good. I’m a bit of a foodie. Love fresh fish and seafood.
Cindy (Prime Beauty)
Dec 17, 2015 at 9:34 pmAll of these look so delicious, I love seafood.
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
Dec 17, 2015 at 9:52 pmThis all looks so delicious. I think I would like to try the Olive Oil Charred Octopus. I love trying out new and unique foods.
Amanda || Growing Up Madison
Dec 18, 2015 at 4:54 amI’ve never been to San Diego but now I know where I’m going to eat if I ever visit. All these foods not only sounds but looks delish!
Nicole Haas Etolen
Dec 18, 2015 at 5:04 amI’ve never tried it but I love the presentation of this food, i totally love it. I’m sure this is delicious and tasty.
Jessica Beal Harlow
Dec 18, 2015 at 6:11 amI always love finding a new place to eat! This looks like a vast menu with some really delectable dishes! I’d love to try the Longanisa Flatbread!
Fashionable Librarian
Dec 18, 2015 at 7:28 amThis looks like something I would actually eat….
OurFamilyWorld
Dec 18, 2015 at 8:16 amI wish I lived closer, so we can dine there. All the food you featured loo amazing.
Ana De Jesus
Dec 18, 2015 at 8:25 amIt looks like a visually perfect restaurant their attention to detail is divine. I am a veggie though so what could I have?
tara pittman
Dec 18, 2015 at 9:27 amI wanted to visit this place when I went to San Diego. There food looks amazing.
littlemisscant
Dec 18, 2015 at 12:18 pmI love San Diego! We have only been there once but I can not wait to go back. I didn’t even know this restaurant existed but I would love to have one of those burgers. Looks delicious!
angie
Dec 18, 2015 at 12:19 pmoh my what a great menu would be hard decision to make with so much to try and all looks great
Claire'scomfycorner
Dec 18, 2015 at 12:36 pmOh wow this food looks absolutely amazing, you are making me hungry! Yummy 🙂 x
Shanéy Maharaj
Dec 18, 2015 at 1:13 pmEverything looks so yummy! I love going on food experiences. My husband and I plan on travelling different countries, just for the food.
Nicole Herose Cochingco Escat
Dec 18, 2015 at 8:30 pmWow. These is really great. Such a mouth watering dish.
Angie@chasingmyhalo
Dec 18, 2015 at 9:16 pmLooks delicious! We get quite a bit of Pacific Rim Cusuine here in Seattle, and it never gets old!
victoria
Dec 18, 2015 at 9:26 pmLooks like a great dishes! I wish i could have one of these now.
Stephanie Pass
Dec 19, 2015 at 5:58 amThese look absolutely amazing! My husband was raised on the coast and just loves seafood. I think he’d love that octopus dish.
bowen1960
Dec 19, 2015 at 5:59 amIt’s been a long time since I visited San Diego and looking at your pictures reminds me that i want to go back there sometime soon.
Jenjen Balatico
Dec 19, 2015 at 8:22 amAaaaah! Very tempting! All looks so delicious but since I love burgers I am eyeing to taste the Miso glazed C.A.B. Burger!
Aprill
Dec 19, 2015 at 9:10 amEverything looks delicious! Thank you for sharing.
Jenn Peters
Dec 19, 2015 at 9:49 amWow! These dishes are stunning. I love the happy hour pricing 😉
minkchic
Dec 19, 2015 at 3:54 pmAll their food looks divine, but that miso glazed C.A.B. burger has my tummy rumbling. Pair it with a pale ale and it’s all over.
katrina g
Dec 19, 2015 at 4:00 pmThe food looks amazing.
Claudette Esterine
Dec 19, 2015 at 5:14 pmOMG…I just had supper and it doesn’t compare to any of these in the least bit! 🙁
michelle
Dec 19, 2015 at 6:05 pmthat sea bass looks so delicious and fresh
Chanelle
Dec 19, 2015 at 7:16 pmLove the Gaslamp district. Need to check them out next time I visit. Love.
OurFamilyWorld
Dec 19, 2015 at 7:55 pmI wish I could dine there, too. The Crispy Skin Sea Bass looks really good.
Marielle Altenor
Dec 19, 2015 at 9:59 pmAh so much yummyness in this post! That 8 oz burger has my name on it!
Rosey
Dec 20, 2015 at 3:35 amEverything looks and sounds great. That bass would be amazing for my mom!
Cara (@StylishGeek)
Dec 22, 2015 at 10:58 amWow! That is an absolutely exquisite display of food porn! Love it! My mouth is watering already. Thanks for sharing your wonderful and very thoughtfully written post! I enjoyed it!
Felicita Moncada
Dec 22, 2015 at 12:19 pmThe food looks fabulous. It bet it really makes it hard to order 1 thing! I would want everything! I hope to taste this delicious food when i get to San Diego. So many great food places over there.
Lauren Paints
Dec 22, 2015 at 11:25 pmWOW! This looks absolutely delicious! I’ve always wanted to visit San Diego and when I finally decide to make the trip, I’ll be sure to add this restaurant to the list!
Margarita Ibbott (@DownshiftingPRO)
Dec 23, 2015 at 10:33 pmYou have no idea how much I would love to return to San Diego and stay for a week . I’ve been twice but for whirlwind tours each time. The food looks amazing at the Ocean Pacific Grille!
Angela Bethea
Dec 24, 2015 at 9:43 amThe food looks absolutely scrumptious! It is making my mouth water just by staring. Someday I would love to visit San Diego with my hubby and just get away.
Ralph
Jun 24, 2016 at 10:48 pmDinner was spectacular, service was exceptional. Fish was cooked to perfection. I especially liked their appetizers. Wine list was very good with many selections. I will definitely return.
Rika
Oct 27, 2016 at 7:13 pmThat’s awesome Ralph that you made it there! I’ve sent all of my friends there and not one has had anything bad to say. Did you by chance have any of the same dishes mentioned in this article? If not, any recommendations for next time I go?