(847) 864-3435

505 Main St
Evanston, IL 60202 42.0341 -87.6779

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Neighborhood: Evanston

Hours:

Monday To Thursday From 05:30 PM To 11:00 PM Friday To Saturday From 05:30 PM To 12:00 AM

Price:

$$$$

Last updated 10.15.11

Category:

Restaurants, Catering

Payment Methods:

American Express, Cash, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard, Debit Card

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Outdoor Dining, Private Rooms, Business Dining, Group Dining, Notable Wine List, Prix Fixe Menu

Cuisine:

French, Seafood

Smoking Permitted:

No

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Oceanique

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Oceanique's two rooms are simple and classy, with a draped ceiling and framed French posters on textured maroon-and-gold walls. Great for special occasions, it's also popular with Evanston corporate types. Service is friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. – – The Food – Seafood is the name of the game, but there is a smattering of red-meat dishes. Dishes are lovely and carefully presented: Chunks of chilled Maine lobster are tucked in a parcel of asparagus and shredded cucumber in one starter; grilled calamari and shrimp are a light, refreshing plate of…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Oceanique's award-winning wine list includes about 500 premium wines from around the world, with an emphasis on French reds; bottles range from $20 to $150, with a reserve list that goes much higher.
When to Go:
On the last Thursday of each month, the restaurant hosts a six-course themed wine dinner focusing on a particular region or winemaker. Dinners generally cost $80, and reservations are recommended.
The Extras:
The restaurant offers a six-course tasting menu for $60; on weeknights, there's a more affordable three-course menu for $35.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “It is famous for its extensive wine list but the ambiance is great and the f.”
  2. “great cozy place which is perfect for a dinner for two or small group of friends.”
  3. “Entering the restaurant, it's pretty, it's romantic and the wait staff immediately attentive.”
dessert
87.5% positive
  1. “It has a relaxed unpretentious nature and serves consistently high quality fresh seafood and outstanding desserts.”
  2. “thought the filet mignon was pretty good but the service was not very attentive and the desserts we ordered they ran out of, and they made a mistake with our appetizer order.”
  3. “Great food, forgettable desserts”
  4. “The dessert, we both had the Napolean, was good.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Throughout the meal, the wait staff continued to provide us with great wine and great service.”
  2. “It is famous for its extensive wine list but the ambiance is great and the f.”
  3. “An incredible restaurant, with a great menu which is well crafted and an extensive wine list to match.”
  4. “The wine list is pricey and the sommalier inclined to recommend wines in the higher brackets.”
  5. “The wine lists are extensive.”
food quality
90.4800033569336% positive
  1. “Hands down Oceanique is the best seafood restaurant in Chicago!”
  2. “The flavors of each dish were well paired, and the in-between courses were both tasty and well balanced.”
  3. “It has a relaxed unpretentious nature and serves consistently high quality fresh seafood and outstanding desserts.”
  4. “Excellent food.”
  5. “The food is always excellent.”
  6. “We were looking forward to it since most all the reviews I read gave it 3 or 4 stars and claimed it was the best seafood restaurant on the northshore.”
  7. “Too many overpriced restaurants serve food that seems assembly-line produced, and have waitstaff that go through the motions.”
  8. “The food was excellent, the wife had the day boat scallops and the seared tuna and I had the chilled Maine lobster and Bouillabaisse Oceanique both which were very well seasoned and quite enjoyable.”
  9. “Great food, forgettable desserts”
  10. “The appetizers and entrees are fresh, interesting as culinary art goes, and original.”
  11. “The smoked salmon appetizer (which my husband and I opted to split, and our waitress had the kitchen prepare it on two separate plates, a very nice touch) was fantastic and I wanted it to become a whole meal, it was perfectly seasoned, not too salty as of”
  12. “The food was amazing.”
  13. “The seasonal dishes (foie gras for all of the Chicagoans in search of such) and beet salad are fantastic, as was the soup and lamb.”
  14. “The tuna tartare amuse-bouche that we received was a delicious and beautiful combination of colors, textures, and tastes.”
  15. “The server failed to check our satisfaction after the dishes were served - which affirmed my belief he really didn't care anyway.”
  16. “The food is always wonderful.”
  17. “The food and service are absolutely perfect.”
  18. “Throughout the meal, the wait staff continued to provide us with great wine and great service.”
  19. “Oceanique is honestly the BEST food that I have ever had.”
  20. “The food quality was acceptable, but unfortunately did not compensate for the lack of service.”
  21. “Imagine this: you gently nudge the creamy pink salmon and each velvety layer comes off perfectly, just cooked around the edges and a wonderful soft pink in the center.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “An incredible restaurant, with a great menu which is well crafted and an extensive wine list to match.”
  2. “The wine lists are extensive.”
  3. “It is famous for its extensive wine list but the ambiance is great and the f.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “We were looking forward to it since most all the reviews I read gave it 3 or 4 stars and claimed it was the best seafood restaurant on the northshore.”
  2. “great cozy place which is perfect for a dinner for two or small group of friends.”
  3. “Hands down Oceanique is the best seafood restaurant in Chicago!”
service
73.08000087738037% positive
  1. “The service is always wonderful.”
  2. “The smoked salmon appetizer (which my husband and I opted to split, and our waitress had the kitchen prepare it on two separate plates, a very nice touch) was fantastic and I wanted it to become a whole meal, it was perfectly seasoned, not too salty as of”
  3. “The food quality was acceptable, but unfortunately did not compensate for the lack of service.”
  4. “The service is good.”
  5. “Entering the restaurant, it's pretty, it's romantic and the wait staff immediately attentive.”
  6. “Throughout the meal, the wait staff continued to provide us with great wine and great service.”
  7. “Service is attentive without being overbearing.”
  8. “thought the filet mignon was pretty good but the service was not very attentive and the desserts we ordered they ran out of, and they made a mistake with our appetizer order.”
  9. “The food and service are absolutely perfect.”
  10. “The service was abysmal.”
  11. “The server failed to check our satisfaction after the dishes were served - which affirmed my belief he really didn't care anyway.”
  12. “Bottom line - overpriced and very poor service.”
  13. “truly outstanding service.”
value
33.3299994468689% positive
  1. “Bottom line - overpriced and very poor service.”
  2. “Too many overpriced restaurants serve food that seems assembly-line produced, and have waitstaff that go through the motions.”
  3. “The wine list is pricey and the sommalier inclined to recommend wines in the higher brackets.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

01/29/09

Very Disappointing

by redfrog21 at Citysearch

After reading some of the reviews of Oceanique, which are either very good or very poor, we thought we'd give it a try for my wife's birthday. Unfortunately, we were very disappointed. The wine service was fine, but without personality. The server failed to check our satisfaction after the dishes were served - which affirmed my belief he really didn't care anyway. The food quality was acceptable, but unfortunately did not compensate for the lack of service. It really seemed as though the staff did not care if we were satisfied?

Bottom line - overpriced and very poor service. It seems like it's ego has gotten in the way of delivering appropriate service.....

  • Cons: service
1 Star Rating: Poor

09/22/08

Worst Meal Ever

by uncch95 at Citysearch

This was one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. First I had a martini and the glass was covered in old bright red lipstick. When I finally found our waiter (and there were only 3 other tables), there was no apology. For dinner we had the lamb and steak. After our meal we were very, very sick. We think the lamb was spoiled. I would not recommend this place to anyone.

  • Pros: Quiet since no one else was there.
  • Cons: Food, service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/15/08

Best classy seafood restaurant around Chicago

by paulaz at Citysearch

Oceanique is always the place I choose for a special occasion or a celebration. The food is always wonderful. the bluefin tuna and the lobster are both standouts...and dessert.....I love anything from this pastry chef, but the Napoleon and the day/night dessert are my favorites. My friend loves the macadamia tort too. Worth the price of admission. They are friendly and the rooms are lovely and cozy. The service is always wonderful...AND, there is valet parking...

I will always return to Oceanique!

  • Pros: Everything.
  • Cons: Due to the shape of the room, I recommend a sweater.
1 Star Rating: Poor

08/08/08

Dissappointing experience.

by Johnh91011 at Citysearch

We dined at Oceanique last night for my partner's birthday. We were looking forward to it since most all the reviews I read gave it 3 or 4 stars and claimed it was the best seafood restaurant on the northshore. Overall we were extremely disappointed with the whole experience. The service was abysmal. We did not have one person responsible for our table. I really hate it when different people take orders for appetizer, entree and dessert. The food was not up to par either (specially for the prices). I had the foie gras appetizer and my partner had the scallops. Mine was good but Jason said he couldn't taste the scallops since the accompaniments were overbearing. I had the bouilliabase which was really sub par. Jason had the sturgeon which was once again too overburdened with sauce and stuff. The dessert, we both had the Napolean, was good.

I will not be going back.

  • Pros: none
  • Cons: Food and service. The restaurant was cold and drafty
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/26/07

Excellent food. Fantastic Service. You won't be disappointed!

by rebeccahaag at Citysearch

My beau and I recently went to Oceanique for my birthday. He made reservations, based on friends (locals) recommendations (we just moved here from L.A.). I am a HUGE fan of lobster, so this place came highly recommended.

From the moment we walked in the door, it was first class all the way. They wished me a happy birthday at the door (I guess my beau told them, when he made the reservation). Upon being escorted to our lovely table in the intimate restaurant, we discovered they'd taken the time to put "Happy Birthday" confetti on our table before we got there. Thoughtful! The Chef must have been in on the birthday thing, too, as he/she kept sending over "bites" of this and that, (compliments of the chef) between each course. Fabulous. The lobster was to die for. The most succulent, tender meat I have ever had...and I'm a self-proclaimed lobster connessieur. Desserts were decadent, not to mention the extra birthday dessert, complete with candle, they brought out for me, along with the complimentary (from the chef, again) glass of dessert wine to accompany the sweets. Our glasses were never empty, never a crumb left on the table, and the plates were cleared as soon as we put our fork down...truly outstanding service. You won't be disappointed in our new fave restaurant, Oceanique!

  • Pros: Food, Service, Ambiance, Valet
  • Cons: Slightly pricey for your average Joe, but so worth it!

The Details on Oceanique

Place Categories:

  • excellent food
  • excellent french restaurant
  • original appetizers
  • recommend wine
  • outstanding food quality
  • nice elegant dining
  • original entrees
  • not recommend place
  • immediately attentive wait staff
  • simply flawless oceanique
  • best seafood restaurant
  • beautiful combination
  • well balanced inbetween courses
  • great cozy
  • best grandmarnier souffle
  • wonderful soft pink
  • amazing chef
  • fantastic seasonal dishes
  • good dessert
  • best chef mark grosz
  • fantastic fish
  • worst dining experiences
  • overpriced service
  • famous ambiance
  • failed server

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