Ocean Star Restaurant - Queen Charlotte

Breakfast at Jackies is unbeatable. Be sure to read my previous reviews for this restaurant. If you are catching the bus at 7:30, just let Jackie know and he will have your breakfast ready on your table.

I was pleasantly surprised by this restaurant when a colleague brought me here during a work trip.

I arrived during the busy dinner rush and experienced some slow service at the beginning. It wasn't too bad, so I just sipped on my beer while we waited.

As many of the others who wrote reviews - we had previously eaten at this location when it was still ocean view for the past few years and weren't aware that the restaurant had changed ownership. This became apparent from the first glance at the menu - due to its lack of options and strange layout ( a mix of Japanese, Chinese and Italian assortments). We ordered wings, poutine, Caesar salad and tried to order calamari but they were out. The poutine fries were undercooked with the gravy being somewhat of a saving grace, the three cheese curds were alright. The wings - no flavour options except salt and pepper which had no flavour and tiny in size at least they were hot. The Caesar salad ... where to begin : no dressing, no parmesan, fake bacon bits, one crouton - the worst. To make it even more disappointment they don't have tap beer and the Caesar cocktail was the worst I've had in my life - was a mix of vodka, water with a splash of Clamato and sad piece of celery. All in all definitely won't be going back there and I'd be surprised if it's still in business my next trip to QCI. The waitress was doing the best she could with what she's working with.

Ocean Star Restaurant is a relative newcomer, having opened its doors this past March. Most who visit this place apparently mistake it for Ocean View Restaurant, which used to be located in this space. I suppose the confusion is warranted given the similarity in names, but then again, “Ocean Star” or “Ocean View?” I think, if you’re looking for a good meal, you’ll probably wish you’d gone to Ocean View. Let me explain why:First, the setting: It is, in my view, kind of drab. But I suppose that’s not really the restaurant’s fault – it’s more a consequence of layout. It always seems very dark in this eatery, but what makes it feel especially drab is the emptiness – the restaurant is just big and empty. One almost begins to feel depressed sitting in such a dark, large space all by oneself.The food: I was curious to try this place out, and was hoping for something a little different, but I’m not sure how I feel about what’s offered here: it’s a strange mix of grill, Chinese and Italian (read “spaghetti”) and massively inflated prices even for Haida Gwaii. I mean, a skewer of prawns (or scallops) for $20? Yikes! In any event, when we visited, we ordered a skewer of prawns, chicken wings and a burger. Total price was just over $50 (!!!). We were also given a seafood eggroll “on the house” (a very nice gesture), but more on that momentarily. The prawn skewer was beautifully presented – I will give them that, but the prawns themselves weren’t very big and looked more like shrimp. They did not justify the cost. The wings: probably some of the worst I’ve had – way over battered and greasy, and very little in the way of flavor. The burger was OK, but I’ve had way better for far less. How about the complimentary seafood eggroll? We were excited to try it after learning that it contained scallops, shrimp and. . .imitation crab? That last ingredient is kind of baffling, given where this restaurant is located. One would think REAL crab would be on offer, but no go. The eggroll itself was OK, if not a little greasy.Unless the quality of the food picks up, I do not see this place sticking around for too long. It is often empty or very quiet and, now, I can see and understand why. Head on over to Ocean View for the better cuisine!FOOD: 2/5SERVICE: 4/5 (the server was excellent. . .it’s a shame the food didn’t match)VALUE: 1/5RECOMMENDATION: I rarely do this, but this will be a strong recommendation to avoid. The skewer was nice, but everything else was lacking. And the prices. . .just too much. The good service saves this place from a one-star rating.