Bites Nearby: Culinary Perfection at Oceanview Bistro

I recently teamed up with a group of my girlfriends for a little "Girls Night Out" and we decided to try out . I have actually eaten at this establishment a couple of years ago when it was called Oceanview Bar and Grill and was under different ownership. The Russell family bought the restaurant a little over three years ago but the exterior and interior of Oceanview Bistro looked the way that I had remembered it. There is a beautiful patio on the side of the restaurant complete with large fichus trees laced with white twinkle lights and beautiful flowers in the planter boxes. Inside there is a comfortable, down-home feeling and the ambiance is very welcoming.

I sat down with my party of seven at a large table inside and relished in the fabulous service. After a day of "slaving away" with the kids, this was such a welcome treat to have someone taking care of me for a change. With a cool drink in my hand and warm baked bread, I settled in to look at the menu. Hungry from my day of eating the children's left over scraps of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets, I was more than ready for "grown up" food. An appetizer platter complete with dumplings, steak skewers, and an array of dipping sauces sounded like the perfect starter before we had to settle on an entrée decision.

Oceanview Bistro offered fabulous dinner specials, such as a New York Strip Steak and an assortment of salads and pastas, but I decided upon the tiger shrimp in a lobster emulsion served over a bed of vegetable risotto. "Culinary perfection" may be the closest words I can use to describe this dinner and I relished every bite of tender shrimp swimming in a sea of risotto and drizzled with a flavorful sauce.

After another round of drinks and some venting about children, spouses, and work, I was so ready for dessert along with all of my friends. We decided to order a couple different desserts and enjoy them "family style." The Mississippi Mud Pie and Austrian apple strudel seemed to be the ideal selections.  Surprisingly large dessert portions made it easy for everyone to have a couple of bites. The mud pie proved to be exactly what we expected but the apple strudel encased in a puff pastry and topped with melting vanilla bean ice cream left me speechless (which is really hard to do!)

Local talent is often on display Friday and Saturday nights at Oceanview Bistro. The Padres Trail band performed the night we attended and they added a level of excitement to the evening. In the dining area the music can be enjoyed in the background,  but in the bar everyone was singing and dancing along- especially to their take on Carly Simon's "You're so Vain," which I have to admit, I was singing along to as well.

Oceanview Bistro is open Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the bar and late night dinner menu available until last call. On Saturdays and Sundays brunch is served from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., lunch until 5:00 p.m. and dinner until 10:00 p.m. They are closed Mondays.

Oceanview Bistro is located at 3826 Oceanview Blvd. in Montrose, and can be reached at 818-248-2722. Reservations are recommended for dinner and large parties.