Can anyone recommend a good seafood restaurant in the greater OKC area? I did some searching online and could only really find Red Lobster, Pearls, and Joe's Crab Shack as "recommendations". I have been to Trapper's and the food I had was fine, but it was more of a multi-food type of place (e.g. equal focus on surf, turf, and birds). I am looking for a place that might have good New England clam chowder, lobster bisque, steamers, linguini in clam sauce, lobsters, steamed crab legs, oysters on the half shell, shrimp scampi, various salt water fish (e.g. not catfish), etc. Any suggestions? Has anyone been to Deep Fork Wood Grill and could give their thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
BWIS

Haven't been in a few years but Hefner Grill should be in the mix

The Shack has pretty good crab bisque and other offerings (Avoid the Key Lime Pie). Haven't been in 6 months or so. I know you said no catfish, but I read today in the Moore paper that Catfish Cove is having steamed crab legs on their buffet on Saturdays during July.

The Shack

Haven't been in a few years but Hefner Grill should be in the mix

What is Hefner Grill? Guess I've never heard of it.

I would not recommend The Shack, as the food quality is IMHO inferior. Likewise, Bourbon Street Cafe in Bricktown is not that great, either. Hefner Grill is what Pearl's Lakeside, and Lakeside Fish Grill used to be. Deep Fork is good, but its not a seafood place. IMHO, we really do not have a quality seafood restaurant here in Oklahoma City that has the options you've asked for. Pearl's on Classen is probably the closest one to what you need, but you have to be careful with what you order there, and the service has really slid in recent months. My last two visits have had bad service. What we need here in OKC is McCormick's like they have in other cities, or Pappadeauxs, or some other real quality seafood restaurant.

I agree with what most of have said that seafood is one cuisine where OKC struggles. I guess our geography likely has something to do with that. That said, I think Rococo is one of the best for seafood in town. If you follow their specials, they are often flying in fresh items like steamers ... etc. and they will let you know when they have them in. They also offer some "simpler" seafood preparations (like the Petrale Sole) where things aren't all covered up by tons of spices and other toppings. And their crab cake is, hands down, the best in town. They also have clam chowder though I haven't tried it.

Here's a link to their menu:
Dinner - http://www.rococo-restaurant.com/images/Menu%20Inside%20Rv%2002-08.pdf
Lunch - http://www.rococo-restaurant.com/images/Menu%20Outside%20Rv%2002-08.pdf

Here's our review:
http://www.eataroundokc.com/rococo-east-coast-style/

Believe it or not, but Red Prime often flies in fresh fish of the day, etc. and is good quality. I've heard good things about Hefner Grill, but not been. I'm not a seafood person, so I could care less. I agree, it's a geography issue, just like you can't find good Tex-Mex or Chicken Fried Steak in Cali, food is geographic in nature across the globe.

We like seafood but we've resorted to making our own. Tons of good recipies on the internet and crest has a good selection of seafood to get stared with.

When I lived in North Georgia I remember the Holiday Inn having all you can eat seafood on Friday nights for $20. I think they lost money on me ....

Remember how good the "gumbo" at Der Dutchman was?
(I always thought it was weird that a "seafood" place would have a name like "Der Dutchman" along with a surrealistic windmill motif . . . But I never let those anomolies interfere with my enjoyment of the gumbo. Their hush puppies were good too. A big bowl of gumbo, maybe with some boiled shrimp and hush puppies on the side was definitely a good meal. Maybe add a salad for the healthfulness factor.)

The best "seafood" I ever had (next to the "Red Snapper Ponchatrain" (sp?) at that Chinese lookin' place out at the end of an enclosed pier in Galveston--the one that blew away in a hurricane a few years ago) was at Boca Boca . Yet it, too, is but a memory . . .

Pelican's in Midwest City ain't bad.
Joe's Crab Shack has never disappointed me. (Maybe I've just been lucky)
I hear that Roccoco is excellent. (But I'm not interested in doing the paperwork for a second mortgage in order to "do dinner")

Of course, if you like "Fried" there's always Catfish Cabin. . .
(And Howard Johnson's on The Turnpike used to have heapin' helpin's of clams) . . .

"We like seafood but we've resorted to making our own. Tons of good recipies on the internet and crest has a good selection of seafood to get stared with."
Truer words were never "spoken" . . . Regardless of punctuation and phrasing. And the use of "resorted to" as if it was a last ditch effort to have decent seafood hit the plate. And the mention of Crest. =)

If you better define what you mean by "seafood," I think you'll get better suggestions.

As above, if your description of seafood is fish that's fried, then that'll yield one set of suggestions. If by seafood, you mean fresh fish cooked in creative and delicious ways, then I'd have another set of suggestions. Lots of good suggestions above. I didn't see anyone mention Paseo Grill or Redrock, but they have some excellent offerings as well.

Actually, Roccoco probably comes as close as it gets to good seafood, using the definition BWIS originally gave.

http://mahogany.ehsrg.com/sites/default/files/menus/mahoganyprimesteakhouse/Mahogany%20Menu%20_%20WHITE_0.pdf

This place is really good.

Ditto on Roccoco. Also, for seafood entrees (other than crab legs, shrimp, etc), The Mantel in Bricktown is consistently good. For something unique, you'll never beat the seafood tamales at Cheevers...IMO.

I thought Mahogany was all about steak . . . Hmm...

I apologize for not reading the details of the original post closely enough.
From what I gather, Roccoco is about the only game in town when it comes to that level of fish and seafood.

I've heard Deep Fork has good seafood and fish, but all I have ever had there is beef based.

Still, I must say--as did one of the early posters above--that you can buy some excellent fish and shellfish at places like Avalon or Gulfport then cook it yourself for a fraction of the cost and all of the flavor. But then, that really wasn't the question, was it. =)

Der Dutchman

Yeah, hated to see them go. Landry's had a better menu before they became Joe's.

Speaking of Der Dutchman . . .
Here's a flashback to The Bad Ol' Days . . .

http://law.justia.com/cases/oklahoma/court-of-appeals-criminal/1982/5721-1.html

(I know this should probably be over in the Nostalgia area but) . . .

(I always thought it was weird that a "seafood" place would have a name like "Der Dutchman" along with a surrealistic windmill motif

I'm not sure why you think that is weird since much of the land in Holland was reclaimed from the ocean and they have great seafood there.

I'm not sure why you think that is weird since much of the land in Holland was reclaimed from the ocean and they have great seafood there.

When I think of Holland (the "Dutch"), I think of windmills, wooden shoes, dikes, tulips, cheap cigars, cheese, sausages, root vegetables, and overrated beer in a green bottle (not necessarily in that order).

A bit of research reveals that I should also have been thinking about herring, shrimp and mussels (in season).

I guess that the "reclaiming land from the sea" deal threw off my culinary mental map.

I also think of Dwight Schrute for some reason, even though I'm not sure he is of Dutch heritage.
It could be the beets.

"Is there a Long John Silvers on the island?”

“No, no I don’t think so. I’m so sorry. But, we are actually serving some great fresh seafood.”

“Better than Long Johns?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

I have heard that Pellicans is good for it being OKC, havent ever been there myself though.

Corndog1: LOL!!!! (NS!)
You must deal with "The Public" daily . . .

Actually, Pelican's is in MWC.
The Owner is an Exceptional Person.
In more ways than one could count.

He (apparently) tried/was persuaded to branch out to the NW Side (c/o Bro. Atkinson)
but the staff at the new location thought that "Rice Pilaf" (as a side for The Fish)
was only an afterthought. They were wrong.

The NW location is now Shiki.
Replete with the exterior motif involving a corrugated water catcher on the roof.

Pelican's--like The Dude--Abides.

(If the right "chef" is working that night, you can't go wrong with the "Blackened Red Snapper".
No kidding.)

Signature grill's crab bisque is the best soup I've ever had. On the menu right now they also have an oyster chowder, halibut with lump crab, sea bass and they had a snapper special last week. You can add crab legs or lobster tail to an entree as well. IMO, this is bybfar the best restaurant in the okc area, just be sure to make reservations.

Dude! The "Signature Grill" is--or has been, at least to me--one of those places, the names of which have served previously only to help comprise the blur of restaurant dining opportunities available to all of us--all the time--here in The OKCMetro. A blur of opportunities . . . like in . . . The Gazette Food Section for example . . . Especially around "Best of" Season. =)

Thanks, sincerely, for your personal mention and positive critique of the place.
Your honest review actually makes me want to look up the address and make a reservation. No kidding!

And I will. (Again: No kidding).
I hope the OP on this thread also appreciates the tip. =)

BTW: I sit corrected (in terms of a previous post):

When "Pelican's NW/Number II" became "Shiki" [they] actually removed The Giant Cajunesque Rainbarrel, but kept The Giant Stand for it.

(If I was into eating raw fish from around the globe--in the center of the midwest--I'd go there just to test my theory that any form of Shiki's rice is infinitely superior to that of the previous tenent.)

I stand by my estimation of the quality of everything at the MWC location.
(Of Pelican's =)

IMO, [Signature Grill] is bybfar the best restaurant in the okc area, just be sure to make reservations.

You are right. They are currently the #1 restaurant on our entire site as rated by our readers. I forgot to mention them with regard to seafood. Great call. More info here:

http://www.eataroundokc.com/signature-grill-a-new-favorite/

eataroundokc: GREAT review of what is apparently an even GREATER restaurant! I have to say that the marvels on the menu are a bit . . . "spendy" (I'm looking at a downloaded copy of their menu right now) . . . Yet, as a hobby chef, who understands all that goes into preparing and sharing a memorable meal, I have to add that I'm sure that you get all that you pay for and more.

This will definitely be The "Go-To" place for the next "Special Occasion."

(Plus, I doubt there will be hoards of loud, unruly children screwing up the cost/value balance.* =)
(*Obscure reference to another thread topic. =)

Yes, the pricing is higher-end, but to be honest, I think it's a great value. The Filet is hand-cut and every bit as good as what you get at high-end steakhouses and it comes with two amazing side dishes for $32. The steak alone at a steakhouse would likely be more than that and sides would be extra. So, in it's context of "special occasion" choices, I think Signature Grill offers great value, but that doesn't change the fact that it is a hit to the wallet.

Re: Cost/Value. I have no doubt that it is also possible to "drop a Franklin" at Frontier City, and spend most of the day standing in line. For no good reason and with little return on the investment. =)

A tiny, friendly suggestion . . . ?
" . . . , and to be honest . . ." rather than " . . . , but to be honest" . . .? =)

Like (as?) I said, before, Thanks for validating what another poster in here previously stated regarding the quality of this establishment.

Edited to Add: Don't you agree that it is the quality of and creativity expressed in the "side dishes" that really make "the difference" in terms of the overall satisfaction with what hits the plate? (Not so much the quantity?)

This is a fairly regular haunt for the wife and I. The food and service are always very nice. Its close quarters though, so a loud table can kinda foul the atmosphere. We do an early dinner there usually and we find the entrees are large enough to share if price and/or calories are a concern. Tends to get louder later when regulars show up in small groups and begin drinking.

Don't you agree that it is the quality of and creativity expressed in the "side dishes" that really make "the difference" in terms of the overall satisfaction with what hits the plate? (Not so much the quantity?)

Price, Quantity, Quality ... I think all three are important and work together to determine good value. I wouldn't be excited about a place that charged high prices for bland sides, even in large quantities, nor would I be excited about a place that charged high prices for excellent, creative sides in tiny quantities. I look for the balance of all three.

Amen.

(Hope you are taking notes, BWIS! =)

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I have been taking lots of notes. As a person who does a LOT of cooking, I understand the benefits of doing so (esp. health and taste). However, sometimes you just want to have a nice evening out and not worry about the cooking yourself.

Thanks again for all of the suggestions,
BWIS

You are welcome.

(a.k.a. De Nada =)

(As if ***I***were qualified to make [that statement] . . . =)

You'll pay a bit but Ludivine has some of the best seafood in town, just take a look at their menu. This video shows it off a bit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxW-GsHOa28

I wonder what other restaurants use this fish monger, does anyone know? I had the line caught Texas Redfish done en papillote Saturday and it was quite good. I do eat there a bit but can be their worst critic at times. They source some very good fish and genrally their fish prep seems quite on point.

I love me some seafood, but unless I want fried-something, home grilled is the way for me. Hooray for Crest!