Dining a la Carteret
Oceans Whispers
by Sherley Buckland
Oceans
Whispers, 
The
convenient location, attentive service, great food and fair prices make Oceans
Whispers a favorite for executives, retirees, fishermen, stay-at-home moms and
everyone in between.
Owners
and operators Rafael and Amanda Tellez each come from restaurant families and
combine their cooking influences and management styles to offer a comfortable,
“down home” environment where everyone is welcome and can enjoy their
cooking.
“Down
home” is no understatement or exaggeration.
Every day, biscuits are handmade from scratch, their breads are all
fresh baked in house and any menu item that requires a sauce of any type,
well, the sauces are never pre-made, they are prepared when the customer
places his or her order. Oh, the coffee is good, too.
Breakfast
and lunch specials are available daily, and special requests are accommodated.
The breakfast menu includes traditional breakfast items such as eggs,
omelets, assorted breakfast meats, shredded hash brown potatoes and
slow-cooked grits.
They
also have hand-poured pancakes and
The
lunch menu includes a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches,
seafood dishes, pasta dishes and a kid menu. Box lunches can be ordered to go
and, again, make those offshore trips a little easier.
The
special of the day during my visit was the steak and mozzarella omelet. Rafael
chose to prepare the omelet special, chicken parmesan and a dessert for our
review.
Grilled
ribeye steak is sliced thin and folded into the egg omelet, topped with
mozzarella cheese and served with grits and a biscuit.
Using the fresh ribeye steak in this omelet made a king-size difference
in outcome.
The
steak is tender, and the eggs are cooked to perfection.
The slow-cooked grits are fluffy and the homemade biscuit melts in your
mouth, no butter or jelly required. Being the daily special, this incredible
breakfast costs less than $5! I
could not have made it at home for that price.
The
chicken parmesan was incredible. With one bite, I knew Rafael soaked or
marinated the chicken in something, I just didn’t know what. All of his
secrets he would not tell; what he did share was the importance of consistency
in preparation.
Rafael
is very specific about how things are to be done in his kitchen. He hand cuts
the chicken himself, and dips it into a milk batter before lightly frying. The
chicken is tender and juicy as if slow cooked.
It is served over a bed of pasta and fresh marinara sauce and topped
with mozzarella cheese.
Accompanying
the chicken parmesan were two slices of homemade French garlic bread.
The portions are generous enough to make you think about taking a nap
after you eat.
For
dessert we sampled the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, whipped cream
and raspberry drizzle. Rich and delicious, I liked the twist the raspberry
drizzle gave the cake full of shaved carrot, raisins and spice. Other dessert
options include apple caramel nut pie, key lime pie and tuxedo chocolate
cheesecake.
In
October, Oceans Whispers will begin serving dinner from 5 to 8 p.m.
The dinner menu will include family-style cooking like pork chops,
vegetables, hamburger steak with gravy, fried chicken and some seafood items.
If dinner is prepared with the same love and attention as breakfast and
lunch, it is sure to be a huge success.
Upon
completing my review I immediately called my cousin and scheduled a breakfast
date at Oceans Whispers. The kids
are back in school and what better opportunity for some much-needed adult
conversation. I already know what
I’m going to order — French toast. French
toast at Oceans Whispers is made with three slices of homemade French bread
dipped in egg batter, grilled, sprinkled with cinnamon, and accompanied by
several slices of bacon. I can’t
wait!
Oceans Whispers can accommodate private
parties and family gatherings, church clubs, bridge clubs, bridal showers and
wedding receptions. They are a
family-owned and operated business with emphasis on serving families.
Come on over; you are sure to enjoy your visit.
Quick
Bites
Oceans
Whispers
Location:
Phone:
(252) 808-3700
Hours:
Breakfast and lunch, Monday through Sunday from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Starting in October, dinner will be served Monday through Sunday from
5-8 p.m.
Payment
options: Cash, local check, MasterCard, Visa.
Reservations:
Not required.
9/01/06
See the previously reviewed restaurants on the Restaurant Archive page
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