Seafood Grill – Promising Flavours, But Missed Execution on Key Dishes – Average EV Score: 5.9/10
Reviewed by Tastes of Ottawa
Each dish is rated using our EV Score (Enjoyment-to-Value Score), based on enjoyment, price paid, and benchmark pricing.
Table of Contents
Seafood Grill Restaurant Overview
1480 Merivale Rd, Nepean, ON K2E 6Z5
Seafood Grill on Merivale can be a little tricky to spot at first. It’s tucked away in a plaza, giving it that “hidden gem” vibe, though in reality it’s not as hidden as it feels once you know where to look. The restaurant shares space with a few other businesses, and there’s a parking lot right out front. Parking is limited, with just a few spots, so at busy times you may need to circle around or wait for a space to open up.
Despite being slightly out of the way, the place is usually quite busy. That’s often a good sign for a seafood restaurant, since it means turnover is high and the seafood is more likely to be fresh. In fact, one of the standout features here is that they also operate a seafood market right next to the restaurant. You can see and purchase fresh seafood to take home, which adds a unique touch compared to many other Ottawa spots.
The restaurant itself is modern casual — nothing fancy, but clean and comfortable enough to sit down for a meal without it feeling like a special occasion. Service was decent during our visit. The staff were quite friendly, approachable, and made sure we had what we needed without being overbearing. It wasn’t flawless service, but it was warm enough to make the experience pleasant.
Seafood Grill has been through some challenges, too. A while back, there was a fire in the plaza that forced them to close for several months. At the time, I wasn’t sure if they would reopen, so I was genuinely glad to see them bounce back. It feels good to support a local restaurant that has endured setbacks and found a way to return to serving the community.
As for the food, my first visit left me impressed. The dishes were flavourful and executed well enough that I made a mental note to come back. On this visit, though, things didn’t quite hit the same standard. Some dishes showed promise but fell short in execution. Still, there’s enough potential on the menu that I’d consider going back to try other options.
Would return?: Yes, to try other dishes.
Calamari
😋 Enjoyment: 6.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $20
🎯 Benchmark Price: $20
📊 EV Score: 6.5/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
The calamari came out looking appealing, with a solid portion size and consistent breading across the plate. The seasoning had a nice spice blend, which gave each bite a bit of flavour beyond the squid itself. However, the breading leaned on the heavier side — more dense than light and crispy — and that took away from the dish. The squid also wasn’t especially tender. It wasn’t chewy to the point of being inedible, but it lacked the softness that makes calamari truly enjoyable.
Altogether, it was a decent dish, but not one that stands out in Ottawa’s dining scene. Given the price, I’d expect something a little more refined. I wouldn’t order it again, but I didn’t regret trying it.
Miso Salmon Bowl
😋 Enjoyment: 6.5/10
💰 Price Paid: $32
🎯 Benchmark Price: $26
📊 EV Score: 5.3/10
🔁 Order Again?: No.
The miso salmon bowl was frustrating because it came so close to being good but ultimately missed the mark. Visually, it looked beautiful — a colourful bowl with a nicely glazed salmon filet on top of a rice base. The salmon was seasoned well, with flavours that suggested care in preparation. Unfortunately, it was overcooked. Instead of the silky, tender texture you’d hope for, it came out dry and a little rough.
The rice itself was well cooked, but the sauce drizzled over it was fairly plain and didn’t do much to elevate the dish. Everything came together as a meal that looked better than it tasted. At $32, the value just wasn’t there, especially since seafood restaurants live or die by how well they cook their fish.
Final Thoughts
Seafood Grill has plenty of things working in its favour: a convenient plaza location, an attached seafood market with fresh options, a fairly comfortable dining space, and friendly staff. It also has the kind of popularity that suggests people enjoy eating there regularly. That said, my experience this time around was uneven. The calamari and salmon both showed promise but didn’t deliver the level of execution I was hoping for.
Even so, I wouldn’t rule this place out. My first visit here was much better, so I know they’re capable of more. It may have just been an off night in the kitchen. The fact that they bounced back after a fire forced them to close for months shows resilience, and that makes me want to support them further. I’d be curious to return and try some other dishes to see if they hit closer to the mark.
Seafood Grill might not be perfect, but it’s worth keeping on the radar if you’re a seafood fan in Ottawa.