Ocean Blue Offers Delicious Dining Destination

Fresh to the growing gastronomic landscape of Carrollwood is Ocean Blue, a sushi – but not just sushi - restaurant. Open just two months, Ocean Blue is taking what is expected of a sushi restaurant and turning it on its ear.

“The fresh salmon and tuna are really delicious,” said patron Rachel Johnson. “And at night, they change the music to more what the 'N Generation' likes. There’s a full bar, and it’s like a nightclub without the dancing.”

Owner Ben DeBerg and Lan Mai, head chef, combined DeBerg’s years of restaurant experience with Mai’s experience as a sushi chef to offer patrons like Johnson a delectable selection of only the freshest sushi, sashimi and other delicacies in a beautiful setting.

DeBerg and Mai sat down with Patch to discuss what makes Ocean Blue rise to the top in sea of sushi restaurants.

Patch: Why did you choose Carrollwood as the location to open your restaurant?

DeBerg: World of Beer invited us, said there was a spot here. At my business partner Michael Chan’s other location, we helped each other out and they asked us to come here so we can do the same thing again.

Patch: Do offer any types of specials or promotions like for Valentine’s Day?

DeBerg: Yes, for Valentine’s Day, if you call and reserve, you can get a bottle of wine or sake half off.

Every Friday night is Jazz Night. If you want, you pay $18 to the server and you get all you can drink premier beverages. There will be a live jazz band every Friday night.

From 4:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, it’s half off selected sushi rolls, appetizers, and drinks.

Of course, we are known for our Late Night Sushi, half off sushi and drinks after 10 p.m.

Patch: Do you offer catering?

DeBerg: Yes, we do. We do catering, private parties and delivery up to 10 miles, 10 people minimum or $50 to $100.

Patch: So, if you had to pick, what is your favorite menu item?

DeBerg:  The appetizers – the Sticky Canny Wings and the Bubba Roll.

Patch: Can you describe the roll for me?

Mai: Basically a roll with cream cheese and asparagus, with tempura shrimp, topped with fresh shrimp drizzled with a spicy aioli and kabayaki.

Patch: Chef Mai, what is your background?

Mai: I started out as a server, and then they needed a sushi chef, so I signed up for that. The rest is history.

Patch: You discovered your passion?

Mai: Yes, I’ve worked around the Bay area, every restaurant – I’ve probably been there.

Patch:  As the head chef who creates the menu, what is your favorite menu item?

Mai: Something that is unique to this place – Sushi Pizza. It’s a rice dough that is tempura fried, and we add some fresh tuna, fresh salmon, walu, marinated with a lime shoyu, (like a lime soy sauce vinaigrette), asian herbs, with a spicy ailio and wasabi aioli.

Patch: What makes you different from other sushi restaurants?

DeBerg: We are a full-liquor sushi bar, we do catering, and we have two private rooms. We also have two liquor bars, just in case you want the whole room for 50 people. You can have the whole other side of the room.

Mai: Plus, we do Late Night Sushi. As far as I know, we are the only one in this Carrollwood area that does the half-off sushi and half-off all drinks.

DeBerg: We have beautiful scenery outside, fun-loving bartenders and servers. We specialize in service. It’s my goal to make sure my staff gives great service to our guests and our chef gives great sushi. Our philosophy is, ‘make it happen.’

Ocean Blue, 13030 N. Dale Mabry, is open from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Mondays through Wednesdays; 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. until 3 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; 4 p.m. until 3 a.m. on Saturdays and 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Sundays.

To learn more about Ocean Blue, visit www.oceanbluecarrollwood.com.