81248 Mon Apr 24 22:12:53 -0700 2006 5 2 Los Angeles Area 0 450294 Which one is better and why? Thanks Mon Apr 24 22:12:53 -0700 2006 0 Labs 1 450296 I've eaten at both, and I'd have to go with Ocean Avenue Seafood. It can't match the Lobster's setting, which is right over the water (it's across the street from the beach), but that's the only nod I would give to the Lobster. We dropped a fortune there, but it was ear-splittingly loud, tables too crowded together, and the food just didn't seem memorable enough for that price. Ocean Avenue Seafood isn't cheap, but it's not so obscene, either. It has a nice casual vibe. It's bustling, too, but we could hear our conversation around the table. I was pretty knocked out by every single dish, from the chowder to a wonderfully moist salmon. Desserts were phenomenal, and the service was a little forgetful, but earnest. It's not super-fine-dining, but it's solid and great for just a hearty seafood meal. Mon Apr 24 22:25:08 -0700 2006 450294 0 seafood lover 1 450309 Ocean Ave. for sure. I saw Tom Cruise there a few weeks ago. Mon Apr 24 23:22:57 -0700 2006 450294 0 Frank 1 450346 While seeing Tom Cruise must be thrilling, it does not make a restaurant good. I've been to the Lobster twice and was never really impressed. I simply couldn't enjoy my meals because of the noise level. Ocean Ave Seafood is solid and I had the best chocolate bread pudding I've ever had in my life there. Tue Apr 25 08:59:31 -0700 2006 450294 0 SpongeBobSquarePegs 2 450352 the best chocolate bread pudding !!! who cares about the seafood, tom cruise /katie holmes, i love chocoate bread pudding - i'm in santa monica on biz on thursday - i may not have time for a full sitdown meal but at a minimum, i'll get it to go and eat it in the car !! Tue Apr 25 11:00:48 -0700 2006 450346 0 kj 1 450485 I've been to each once so far. Ocean Ave: not memorable, except I rememeber thinking, uh, this food is not very good. I think my food was also lukewarm. Plus, the Cambria Katherine's Vineyard chard was very unusually bad (don't remember vintage). Lobster: had the pan roasted lobster and it was excellent, perfectly cooked, drinks were great. But the noise level is pretty high. Am currently sick and tired of Tom Cruise and his stupid comments and brainwashing Katie, and will boycott MI3. Tue Apr 25 18:34:42 -0700 2006 450294 0 slacker