I think that San Diego might just be the happy hour capital of the world. In fact, happy hour has become a tradition in my household. Every Friday, we select a spot about which we are curious (or one that we love), and set off to sample some bites and cocktails.
Now, I know that most people think of happy hour as a time to get cocktails, and of course, it is. However, almost every restaurant in the downtown/Hillcrest area offers tasty options from their menu at a cut price for happy hour, and I happily partake of good food!
I’d been hearing wonderful things from co-workers about the Oceanaire in the Gaslamp. I looked on the website to get information. Oh, it’s a chain? But it looks like a good chain, and the happy hour looks promising. Fresh seafood? I’m so so there.
There was actually a line for the restaurant to open its doors for happy hour! A very, very good sign. We grabbed two stools and were quickly issued cocktail and food menus. Everything looked good, but when I saw an Otter Pop cocktail, I knew what I was having. I’ve loved Otter Pops since I was a child, and a cocktail modeled after a freezie pop sounded like a great treat. And it’s blue raspberry! How did they know that blue raspberry was my favorite Otter Pop flavor? 
My husband got the San Diego Sunset, a mixture of vodka, orange juice, and grenadine. Another yummy concoction!
We were starving, so we started with the Oysters Rockefeller, fish and chips, and red chili calamari. The oysters Rockefeller were very good, and huge! I’m not a huge oyster fan at all (perhaps the only seafood that I’m lukewarm about), but these were quite tasty and the texture was perfect.
The fish and chips were marvelous! The fish was a fresh cod, and the breading was light and not at all greasy. The batter was a bit salty and had a nice flavor. The fries were wonderful little shoe strings, fresh cut and not over-fried.
The calamari didn’t make it! Through a mistake on the part of the server, we were served the shrimp and grits. However, he knew what he was doing, because the shrimp and grits were heaven. The grits were rich, cheesy, and dense. I think that this was the first time I’ve wanted the grits more than the shrimp. The shrimp were very fresh and not overcooked. Loved this dish, and would order it again and again.
The Oceanaire is a pretty schmancy place, perfect for a very nice date. I will certainly be returning to the happy hour (and probably have dinner there some night!).
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