Red Lobster Ottawa (Merivale) Review – Classic Seafood Feast with Mixed Results – Overall EV Score: 7/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Normally my reviews are written where each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing but since this was Dinner for Two daily deal, so the EV Score will be given as an overall score.
Table of Contents
Red Lobster Restaurant Overview
1595 Merivale Rd, Nepean, ON K2G 3J4
Located on Merivale Road, Red Lobster is a chain that many are familiar with, though in recent years there has been talk about the company facing financial troubles. With that in mind, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when we walked in.
The first impression was positive: the restaurant has a large dining room with plenty of seating. It wasn’t overly busy when we visited, and service was friendly and attentive. Our server made the experience enjoyable and ensured dishes arrived fairly quickly. Lots of free parking in the large parking lot of the plaza.
One of Red Lobster’s signatures, the complimentary tea biscuits, came out hot and fresh. These are one of the highlights of every visit, and they did not disappoint this time either.
Overall, the restaurant gave off a comfortable, casual vibe, and despite Red Lobster’s corporate uncertainty, the Merivale location seemed steady and well-run.
Would return? Yes.
Dinner for Two Daily Special
We ordered the dinner for two, which was a Thursday daily special. It consisted of choice of any classic starter (we chose calamari), split lobster tails, sea scallops, garlic shrimp, and Walt’s Favourite Shrimp with two classic sides (we chose fries and mashed potatoes) and a Chocolate Wave Dessert.
💰 Price Paid: $68
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
🎯 Benchmark Price: $68
📊 EV Score: 7/10
Tea Biscuits
😋 Enjoyment: 8/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
These are what Red Lobster is known for, and they were excellent as always. Fresh from the oven, the biscuits were soft inside with a slight crispiness on the outside. The buttery, savoury flavour made them hard to stop eating.
Calamari
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
🔁 Order Again? No.
The calamari was just okay. The texture of the squid itself was tender, but the batter wasn’t as crispy as it should have been. It lacked that crunch that makes calamari stand out.
Garlic Shrimp
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
This dish was a pleasant surprise. The shrimp were cooked perfectly — not rubbery or overdone — and the garlic butter flavour was rich and savoury. A simple but well-executed item.
Lobster
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
The split lobster tails were another highlight. They were cooked just right, tender rather than chewy, and the meat came out of the shell easily, which made eating them more enjoyable.
Scallops
😋 Enjoyment: 7.5/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
Scallops are always a risk because they can be ruined if even slightly overcooked. Thankfully, these were tender, delicate, and full of flavour. Nicely done.
Walt’s Favourite Shrimp
😋 Enjoyment: 7/10
🔁 Order Again? Yes.
This dish lived up to its reputation. The shrimp were lightly battered, uniformly fried, and cooked just right. While not spectacular, they were solid and enjoyable.
Fries
😋 Enjoyment: 5/10
🔁 Order Again? No.
The fries were underwhelming. I had asked for them to be extra crispy, and while some effort was made, they were still limp and lacked flavour.
Mashed Potatoes
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
🔁 Order Again? No.
Plain and unremarkable. They weren’t bad, but they lacked any standout qualities — just standard mashed potatoes you could get anywhere.
Chocolate Wave Dessert
😋 Enjoyment: 5.5/10
🔁 Order Again? No.
The dessert closed the meal on an average note. The cake was moist, but otherwise, it was fairly ordinary. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing memorable either.
Final Thoughts
The Dinner for Two special at Red Lobster Merivale offered a good spread of seafood for the price, though the results were mixed. The tea biscuits, garlic shrimp, lobster, and scallops were strong highlights, while the calamari, fries, mashed potatoes, and dessert dragged down the overall experience.
At about $68 for two people, plus tax and tip, the value was reasonable but not outstanding. For seafood in Ottawa, there are better options, but if you’re craving classic chain-style fare in a comfortable setting, Red Lobster remains a familiar choice.