I had an equally disappointing experience at this once fine Cameron Mitchell restaurant. For awhile, their serving of Chilean Sea Bass over a white truffle risotto was definitive - same with their mussels appetizer. Greeted by snotty receptionists and faced with a pricey menu, the dining experience used to be worth all that and the wait.

I went back to have some remnant of my favorite dishes to find that their menu was once again revamped, this time to include steak and fixings a la carte - you know, the menus where everything a la carte looks so innocent as the final bill creeps ever so quitely to some outrageous price, and the waiters keep pushing the pennies with a desperate yet demanding deameanor (”another $12 dollar glass of wine, another side, another dessert, a port, a muscat, an after dinner drink??!!” etc., etc.) You know the game.

They also got rid of my favorite sit down tables by the window overlooking Easton, and replaced the romantic setting with bar stools and high tables. I ordered a $14 dollar ’surf and turf’ scallops and beef brisket appetizer. Somehow, the combination of these two disparate tastes bathed in a dark gravy seemed to work alright, but I can tell you right now that I am never going back to this restaurant. I was so turned off that I didn’t order a main dish, sat there gnawing on the bread, stomach yet expanding, while my companion finished his meal. Even though I didn’t order an entree, dinner for two still turned out to 100 dollars.

I think that if their fish is going to be lousy and they are going to try to mimick the menus of Ruth Chris or Smith and Wollensky, that the name of the restaurant should no longer be “Ocean Club”, but maybe something like “Beef Club” which would more appropriately reflect the cuisine and level of experience one can expect when dining there.