“Oceanique” France invades Evanston

[rating=5] It isn’t often that a radio listener steers me to a dining experience that is new to me, but in the last few weeks, several have come my way. For those who are new to this site, on Sundays, at 2 p.m. I take the air on WCPT ( 820 AM) for an hour where Frank and I talk about theater and dining in and around the Greater Chicago Area. I mention Evanston a great deal as some of my favorite spots are there, but I was unaware of a French American Fine Dining Restaurant on Main Street just east of Chicago Avenue until I got both a call and then an e-mail. The restaurant is called Oceanique and is a true dining experience. They are open for dinner only from 5 p.m until 8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and until 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday, but are open on Mother’s Day!

Chef Mark Grosz and his wife, Renee, offer a special menu and presentations that are as beautiful as they are delicious. Frank, Jane and I enjoyed every item that was served and just to add a little icing on the cake ( an old expression- we had no cake) during the course of our evening, we were served a few extra items including a strawberry sorbet that was divine.

Jane and I started the evening with a cocktail as we waited for Frank who kept us up on his travels. I enjoyed the Old Fashion, made to perfection with just the perfect blend of fruit and whisky. Jane and Frank enjoyed a red wine from their vast wine list. I recall the old days of Evanston where there was no wine list as there was no wine or liquor of any type. Thank you Evanston City Council for changing that rule. How can you dine French-American without a drink in your hand?

Our server, Bella was very knowledgeable and went over the items on the menu that are offered both on a regular basis or the daily specials. We started our meal with  The Chilled Canadian Prince Edward Oysters( they were terrific) with smoked trout caviar and lemon Creme Fraiche- Jane is not an oyster person, so Frank and I shared those and we also had the Maine Lobster Belgian Endive salad, that was easily enough for three. They also have some great looking soups on the menu ( I am going back for the Corn-Leek Soup and the Beet salad)!

The other warm appetizer which is also available as a main dish is the Butternut Squash Ravioli ( fennel, prosciutto, crispy sage and walnuts) delicious and as Jane said, healthy! In between portions we were gifted with a sampling of their Swordfish, the Argentinian Shrimp ( to die for!) and a pineapple treat.

The entrees we sampled from their amazing menu were the Organic Pacifico Striped Bass (cremis ,eggplant, bacon and porto) with flavor that truly is wonderful., The Prime Nebraska Filet Mignon with roasted potatoes, watercress and cremis was juicy, tender and prepared to exactly “medium”. The third dinner was the Wild Mexican Bay Scallops (in a sake-soy broth, cilantro and ” White Boy” Kimchi). The funky Kimchi is Mark’s recipe that can be ordered thru the restaurant ( it has a slight kick, but one that will please to the palate). We also had some amazing Whipped  Potatoes Parmesian.

As we prepared for Dessert ( what a selection)Mark and his crew brought us an after dinner wine from Robertson Wines- from South Africa. I believe it was called Gewurtztraminer and it cleansed the palate as we prepared for our coffee and-The AND was very special indeed: The Callebaut Chocolate-Caramel Pot de Creme was a delightful combination of hazelnuts, butterscotch and seasonal fruits. As you can see by the tray being held by Bela, the selection is something for everyone’s taste.

I remarked during our dinner that I was remined of my visits to Wheeling’s  La Francais and its chef Jean Banchet only to learn that Mark worked there , prior to opening Oceanique ,and learned from this renowned chef. During the course of the meal, he came by our table several times to see how we were doing. In fact, I think that is the beauty of going to a restaurant on a Tuesday night– they have time to talk with you and that truly enhances the complete experience. This is not “just a dinner out”- this is “a night to remember”. What a spot for a special occasion !

Something on the menu that caught my eye ( other than the assortment of dishes available) was this quote “for fish to taste right, must swim three times: in water, in butter, and in wine” a Polish proverb- cute and to the point.

Oceanique has some daily specials:

Tuesdays  $1.50 Oysters

Wednesdays Maine Lobster  $33

Friday surf-n-turf filet mignon & lobster for $62

The “Happy Hour” is form 5 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday

$1.50 shrimp and all cocktails are at $10 ( they pour a great Old Fashion”).

Located in a quite area of Evanston, on Main Street, you can even get there by public transportation and parking ( mostly metered) is on the street

The phone number for reservations is 847-864-3435 and the website www.oceanique.com

If you have a celebration coming up, have  the need for something different, or just want to create a memory for you and your special someone, this is the place!