We visited Bar Ocelli on December 31, a place we have truly enjoyed in the past, especially for its beautifully crafted cocktails that are creative, well balanced, and always a pleasure. The cocktails this time were no exception and remained the highlight of the evening.
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That said, the experience felt off from the moment we walked in. We were immediately informed, quite bluntly, that the regular menu was not available and that the evening was operating under a special set menu with paired cocktails and an Asian theme. While we understand special formats for New Year’s Eve, this information was not communicated in advance through OpenTable or otherwise, which would have been appreciated.
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When I asked whether there were dishes without fish or seafood, I was told, very matter of factly, that “it’s Asian, so there’s fish sauce everywhere.” I do not have food allergies, just personal preferences, but the response did not offer much reassurance. We were told that ordering à la carte from the Asian menu was possible, which did provide some flexibility, but by then the tone for the evening had already been set.
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Upon reviewing the menu, the pricing structure also felt confusing and, frankly, not very advantageous. The option of three dishes and one cocktail for $70 only made sense if you selected the most expensive plates. Choosing other dishes resulted in a lower total if ordered individually, which made the “set” feel less like a package and more like a forced price point. Because of this, we ultimately chose to order à la carte and selected cocktails from the regular signature menu.
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The food we ordered was good, and the signature cocktails were excellent, as expected. However, the overall experience suffered from how the evening was introduced and managed. Service was friendly but seemed overwhelmed and confused with the new set menu format, and the lack of proactive communication, combined with the pricing structure, made the experience feel less special than it should have been.
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We would return for the cocktails on a quieter evening, but clearer communication and a more thoughtful approach to special menus would go a long way.
