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 We're sitting so close the beach that the salty air tickles our noses. Just a fringe of sprawling sea grapes separates our tables from the sand, and if we stop chatting, we can hear the surf pounding the shore.
Dining by the ocean is one of the prime pleasures of living in South Florida, but there are a few restaurants where you can snuggle up this close to the seashore. At Oceans 234, on a postcard-perfect stretch of Deerfield Beach, you can even let your kids romp on the beach between courses.
When you walk inside, it's hard to believe this soothing, upscale setting - open 5 years ago - was once home to a Ranch House. Most patrons, though, head for the patio, where ceiling fans spin and a laid-back atmosphere prevails.
Oceans 234 tries to make its menu as enchanting as the view - and nails it. Presentation is lovely and dishes are ambitious.
The panorama here may be priceless but the menu covers all price ranges. We paid $18 for a half pound of chilled king crab - two legs cut in half, easy to eat, with drawn butter. For heartier appetites, a starter of surf and turf quesadilla features four generous slices for $12 filled with chunks of sautéed tenderloin and bites of Gulf shrimp. On the side, the usual Pico de Gallo, chunky guacamole, sour cream and lettuce. Beef carpaccio, jumbo lump crab cakes, crispy calamari, lobster fritters and a full raw bar are just a few more of the starters we had to choose from.
 Seafood dominates the entrees, from grilled yellowfin tuna to salmon with spinach spaetzle and linguini with clams. The macadamia-crusted dolphin, however, was pure pleasure, and the melt-in-your-mouth fish held up well under the delicious nut coating. It's handsomely presented atop jasmine rice, sautéed spinach and beurre blanc sauce on the side. The plate is drizzled with a blackberry-brandy glaze and garnished with a few fresh blackberries.
We passed on the crab-stuffed Maine lobster, a tempting $33 splurge, but saw many servings whisk by. For carnivores, pork tenderloin wrapped with prosciutto, served with basil mash and port wine sauce was a winner as well as a grilled filet mignon with wild mushrooms and a sweet cider demi.
Not eager to leave this glorious ocean view, we lingered over dessert, sharing a trio of three treats - key lime pie, warm chocolate torte and a banana spring roll with caramel & chocolate sauces. The very best treat, though, was still ahead: a moonlit stroll on the shore just a few steps away.
BUSINESS HOURS
LUNCH: Monday thru Saturday 11:00 AM- 5:00PM.
Sunday: 11:00 AM- 5:00 PM.
DINNER: Sunday thru Thursday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM.
Friday & Saturday 5:00 PM - 11:00.
LATE NIGHT MENU: Friday & Saturday 11:00 PM - 1:00 AM.
HAPPY HOUR: Monday thru Saturday 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM. at the bar. Half off well drinks & $1.00 off beer & wine.
ITB: In The Biz, half off liquor, beer & wine after 9:00 PM seven nights a week. (Premium & top shelf drinks excluded)
BAR: Bar closes at 2:00 AM Sunday thru Friday & 3:00 AM Saturday.
 ENTERTAIMENT INFORMATION
THURSDAYS: Live Band 9:30 to Close
FRIDAY: DJ, Top 40's. 10:00 PM.
SATURDAY: DJ, Top 40's. 10:00 PM.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Gift certificates are sold at the bar & issued by the manager.
Dress code is casual.
Weekly specials for the dinner menu change every week on Friday.
Fax number: 954-428-1086.
Phone number: 954-428-2539.
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