Cape Fine Dining

Ocean House; Room with a View

Offering ocean views and new American cuisine, The Ocean House in Dennisport, at the end of Depot Street on Nantucket Sound, is a delightful mainstay of the Dennis fine dining scene.

Well aware of the Ocean House's reputation for fine cuisine, we were intrigued by the 3 course $25 menu they are currently offering.  If it was priced to please, it succeeded. But so did the food.

Food  Ostensibly a discounted version of the menu, the prix fixe dinner, offering many of the same appetizers, entrees and desserts from the full menu,  got us to do what we often neglect to do, order an appetizer and a dessert. 

Our selections included Asian Vegetable Spring Rolls to start, light and filled with tasty ingredients, it came with an excellent dipping sauce. Followed  by Scallop Stir Fry, which had plenty of scallops and crispy vegetables to fill, but not to feel full. Dinner was topped off with chocolate covered  pumpkin mousse on lollipop sticks. We didn't know that eating with our fingers in public could taste so good.

The meal was so reasonable we splurged on the wine.  With an extensive wine list featuring various good bottles in the all important middle price range, it was easy.  We tried a California pinot noir. Turned out to be a great selection that went with all the food well.

Service  It's hard to keep good wait staff this time of year. But the Ocean House  manages to keep some  regular and train some new staff  side by side somewhat seamlessly. 

Atmosphere  The Ocean House is one of only a very few restaurants on the Cape with an actual ocean view. The dining room has large windows overlooking the beach which they smartly light up at night.  Funny thing about an ocean view at night, not much to look at.  But you can see and sense the serenity of the tides here.

Tables along the windows are offset nicely by larger tables a little higher up in the bustling dining  room.  High ceilings add to the feeling of a special place.

Very popular in season, The Ocean  House bucks the trend of closing early in the off season. Staying open through the holidays can be a challenge, but the special menu helps to bring people in and keeps them coming back. We give them 3 *** to go with 2 $$.