Feature – Ocean 44 - The Scottsdale Living

Feature – Ocean 44

Ocean 44

Lobsters & Oysters & Crab Legs, Oh My! Follow the gray tiled road to the doors of Ocean44 and enter a seafood kingdom. Explore a menu of fresh, world-class fish, complete with sizzling steaks, accompanied by decadent sides. Venture into the lengthy list of libations and finish your meal by selecting a variety of desserts that will have you “oohing” and “aahing.”

Start strong with starters from the raw bar, appetizers, and wood-roasted shellfish menu. If oysters are one of your seafood preferences, be compelled to order the Rockefeller Style Oysters, loaded with spinach, artichoke, and smoked garlic, then charbroiled. Or try the Oysters au Gratin, topped with shaved parmesan, romano, garlic, mild smoked chile, and chipotle.

Any of the raw bar cocktails are excellent choices, plus the crispy shrimp and New England lobster rolls, featuring a sweet Thai chili sauce and butter-poached Maine lobster, respectively.

The Superfood salad is worthy of mention and includes baby lettuce, sriracha sunflower seeds, seasonal berries, and goat cheese. It is tossed with a delicious prosecco and fig dressing.

Moving onto the steaks, whose reputation precedes themselves. The cuts of prime-grade steak are wet-aged for 28 days, hand-cut in-house by the master butcher, and cooked to perfection. Featured cuts are the New York Strip, bone-in ribeye, and Steak Farina, bone-in filet with an egg.

You cannot go wrong with ordering a lobster or crab entree. Choose from Alaskan King Crab Legs, Maryland Style Crab Cakes, New England Lobster Bakes, or Maine Lobster and tails. Other seafood options are various flavor pairings with salmon, sea bass, tuna, scallops, and more.

Any of the steak, fish, or seafood entrees are fantastic on their own, but as the name suggests, you can add “enhancements” to any of the dishes to further enrich them. Options vary from adding a side of truffle butter, crispy shrimp, or a crab cake to a medley of fresh chopped herbs, tomatoes, and evoo or chardonnay butter with shallots and fresh mint.

Now, onto more dish accompaniments like the “potatoes & …” and “vegetables” sections of the menu. There are nine potato-based sides that showcase Ocean44’s unique twist on the classic steak side. Chef Siegfried’s au Gratin potatoes are among the top contenders for best side dish due to the caramelized onions, ooey-gooey gouda, and mozzarella cheese you enjoy in one bite.

Another contender is the Bedford Sea Scallop Gnocchi. An excellent dish that ties together the rich flavors of browned butter and truffle, plus parmesan and scallop mousse.

For vegetable sides, healthify your meal by ordering a side of roasted brussel sprouts or sauteed wild mushrooms. Or follow my lead and continue the cheat meal philosophy by indulging in the infamous crispy onion strings or corn creme brulee.

As mentioned, after exploring the menu of world-class entrees, venture into one of many drink menus. Ocean44 possesses an extensive list of liquors to pair with your meal or desserts.

Choose from 60 options of scotch, 40 bourbons, 46 whiskeys, 42 tequilas, or 16 cognacs. Ocean44 features the most popular brands worldwide, aged for various years. A reserve list also features rare and special released wines, signature cocktails, and beers.

When ordering dessert, fixate your eyes on the Triple Layer Key Lime Pie, Triple Chocolate Bombe, and Ultimate Warm Vanilla Caramel Cake.

The sweets created by Executive Pastry Chef Christine Conner are decadent and flavorful and will garner the love and attention of any dessert lover.

Throughout your meal, take time to appreciate the beautiful and upscale atmosphere carefully curated by the Testani Design Troupe. The goal was to provide an intimate but grand seaside feel. This restaurant is a testament to Scottsdale’s fine dining scene and invites families, friends, and groups, small or large, to dine in an elegant space.

Ocean44 is popular for many reasons, and the food, ambiance, and attention to detail are proof. This is an ideal restaurant for Scottsdale locals and visitors.

Author’s Tip: Be mindful of the specific dress code. Come prepared to enjoy a delicious meal in your spiffiest attire.