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THE new sign “Oceanside Bar n’ Grill” intrigued me after it went up a couple of weeks ago, raising questions about using that name when it was not at the ocean’s side.
My question was answered when I and three buddies checked the place out on Saturday evening. The restaurant owner came from Oceanside, California and wanted to bring the same atmosphere here.
We entered the Oceanside bar n’ Grill and were greeted with a brightly-lit restaurant setting with all the tables ready for diners. A few customers were playing darts, while some were seated on the bar enjoying their drinks.
Marilyn Ronquillo, Oceanside Bar n’ Grill’s owner showed us to a table for four and brought us menus. She convinced us to try their cocktails—which we did while we waited for what the restaurant has to offer in culinary showcase.
I ordered the Monthly Red from the cocktail menu—a pleasant blend of vodka, pineapple juice, coconut and strawberry in a tall cool glass topped with a slice of orange. My buddies ordered the Saipan Sunburn, which turned out to be a delightful blend of Malibu rum, banana, pineapple juice, cranberry and grapefruit, mango juice and Corona.
While waiting for our food, staffers served us nacho chips to nibble on but we pushed it aside when our first appetizer came—a flaming dish of baked mussels and a special sauce to go with it, an appetizer which Ronquillo said is one of the early favorites of diners. The flame had not died out yet when a delectable dish oftuna sashimi was served on a bed of fresh greens.
A big plate of seafood linguini with cream sauce followed, which we all shared. What makes Oceanside’s seafood linguini stand out from all the other pasta we had tried before was a distinctive flavor of herbs and cream sauce with each bite we took. Served with toasted garlic bread and a variety of seafood for $9, this is something pasta lovers will come back for. Marinara sauce is another option.
Loco Moco, a rice-based Hawaiian inspired dish topped with a thick slab of hamburger patty and a sunny-side egg with rich, thick brown gravy was our next course. We were not yet halfway into it when staffers served us a plate of grilled beef short ribs with a serving of rice and salad followed by another dish with a huge slab of juicy chicken teriyaki bathedin a heavenly-tasting sauce.
Everything looked and smelled heavenly.
No one touched the rice—we had no more space in our stomachs, but we attacked the food with gusto. It was almost scary to think we almost finished everything when we just came from a wedding reception. We felt guilty like we were eating our last supper.
Oceanside Bar n’ Grill had a soft opening a couple of weeks ago, but they will have a grand opening on March 17. The growing list of sumptuous selections on their menu is definitely something to try.
“We are serving an international fusion to cater to the varied tastes and preferences of our diners,” Ronquillo said.
Check out the other appetizers in Oceanside Bar n’ Grill’s menu such as buffalo wings, calamari, chicken kelaguen, French fries, fried chicken wings, hot pepper poppers, onion rings, poke, tuna, cheese quesadilla with chicken, and nachos con Pollo, all within the $6 to $8 price range.
A wide selection of Oceanside’s original cocktails and traditional cocktails, shooters, as well as non-alcoholic beverages and shakes are also available. Darts and a pool table are available for sports enthusiasts. Wi-Fi is also available.
Oceanside Bar n’ Grill is located at the former Flair Bar in Garapan and is open Mondays to Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 12 midnight, and from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Food items at the Oceanside Bar n’ Grill fall below the $10 mark and the servings are generous.
Happy hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. where domestic beers are only $2.50 and imported beer costs $3.50 per bottle.Only cash is accepted for now. For reservations/inquiries please call 233-6724 or email osidebarngrill@yahoo.com.
bringing-oceanside-flavors-to-saipan [44682] | Out to Eat.