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It was a good month for the Dining Divas. We took a couple risks, and the gamble paid off. First, we went to a new restaurant, opened less than a year, and kept our fingers crossed that we wouldn’t be disappointed. And secondly, with a name like Oceano Bistro, we could have been headed for rough waters. Fortunately, it was smooth sailing.

This Diva chooses to limit or rather skip anything dealing with creatures of the water, unless it’s of the DVD format like Finding Nemo or Little Mermaid. So picking a seafood restaurant for a Dining Divas outing was quite a step for me. The other Divas thought there was something fishy about me choosing the place, but I was prepared to enjoy a nice dinner roll and a drink (although I secretly hoped the restaurant offered a yummy chicken dish).

Oceano Bistro is located in Clayton across from Cardwell’s and in the previous location of Ramon Jalapeno’s. It’s quite a change from the Mexican setting it had once been. Now with an abundance of windows providing a welcoming openness into the dining area, Oceano Bistro was uncharted waters we were excited to be in.

The Detroit Diva joined the group for the first time and took over the Picky Diva role. She, too, doesn’t eat seafood but was so excited to meet new friends that she just came prepared to leave hungry. The Colorful Diva entertained her and the others with her special technique of quickly catching up on the latest dating issues of her single friends. As tradition with this Diva, she ended up with her foot in her mouth, and I, as usual, got the call that usually comes on my way home from dinner wondering if she offended anyone. We’re always guaranteed a night of laughs when this Diva joins us.

Fortunately, we had a delightful waitress who patiently met our unusual needs, and we, too, took care of her with a special Valentine treat courtesy of the Teacher Diva. Some of us can be “slightly” demanding, like wanting any other bread besides the white they offered. Or requesting wheat pasta instead of the regular noodles. And preferring meat without a bone, like was in the chicken, steak, and pork dishes (seafood-less, but not boneless).

Regardless, we found success. The Chicken and Citron Penne with garlic, peppers, and a vodka cream sauce was perfect for the Detroit Diva and the Picky Diva. A couple Divas raved about the salmon salad with spinach and beets that they shared. The presentation alone of the grilled sea scallops delighted Grandma Diva, but once she took a bite, silence overcame her as she quietly devoured her fabulous meal. The Greek Diva would recommend the sea bass with squash risotto, but she was sad that her leftovers had to go to waste as she was getting on a plane in the morning for a weekend in Florida.

Oceano Bistro also broke the Diva-dessert bad streak. We ordered the bread pudding, and everyone loved it. Harvest in the Clayton-Richmond Heights area holds the title for the best bread pudding, but Oceano is moving in.

You don’t have to head for a coast to get good seafood anymore. Even better, you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy it as most entrees were under $20. This seafood cynic loved her food and would definitely return to Oceano Bistro, no bones about it.
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