My spouse and I visited Ocean Harbor for brunch on a Tuesday
morning in early January (New Year’s Day). Ocean Harbor is open daily from
10:30 am until 10:30 pm (with opening time a little earlier at 10:00 am on
weekends). We don’t think that the restaurant takes reservations, but if you
arrive and no tables are available, they’ll add your name to their wait list.
Ocean Harbor is located on Race Street (between North 10th
and North 11th Streets) in Chinatown, which was initially settled in
the 1870s when the first restaurants and laundries opened. Other competing dim
sum restaurants occupy nearby storefronts, but we chose Ocean Harbor because it
seemed to have the most activity, the largest crowds, and the best reputation
based on reviews that we had read. Patrons access the large dining room by
climbing a few steps. The big room has a tiny bar near the front stairs
(although it is more of a service bar than somewhere you can sit to enjoy a
drink; you’ll also pay your check here after you dine), but the focal point is
the rear of the room with its raised platform backed by mirrors and Asian
artifacts. (The platform housed three round tables for very large groups on the
day that we dined, but we can envision it be used to hold a wedding or banquet
party during special events so that the guests of honor are raised enough for
all to see.) Most tables at Ocean Harbor are larger to accommodate groups of
friends and family who like to share the many dishes offered; what is at a
premium are tables for two, so we were lucky that we were seated immediately (likely
because we were sure to arrive exactly when the restaurant opened). Tables are set
close together, the noise level is high, and the pace is fast.
Ocean Harbor serves Chinese food, which isn’t immediately
apparent from its name. Although we have access to different types of Chinese cuisine
where we live, we don’t have a local restaurant that offers dim sum from
rolling carts. So it’s always fun to find a restaurant that has carts when we
are in a large city like Philly (or NY or Boston or San Francisco). Since we
are just a party of 2, we aren’t able to try as many dishes as we would like
without wasting food, but we selected a number of dumplings and buns and other
tasty dishes from the steam carts as they rolled past (there are also cold
carts and sweets carts). Staff is friendly and patient, even with those of us
who are less experienced and only speak English! As guests accept various
dishes, the servers note your selection on a tab that is totaled at the end of
your meal. Ocean Harbor has a liquor license, so you can enjoy a beer, wine, or
cocktail with your meal.
We enjoyed our dim sum brunch at Ocean Harbor!
January 2020:
