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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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’Rock’-in’ the Boat
For many all-too-obvious reasons, hipsters usually stay away from chain or chain-ish establishments, especially when we’re talking restaurants/bars.
Which is why a recent trip to Ocean Rock, in Bluebonnet Circle, near TCU, was such an eye-opener.
Until then, the Rock was, to Last Call, pretty much a glorified T.G.I.F.’s that thlinged thea-thells by the metaphoric thea-thore. In all of Last Call’s years of Fort Worth revelry, the joint was never the answer to the proverbial question, “Where do y’all wanna hang out tonight?”
How Last Call ended up there a week or two ago is a mystery, but there was your columnist, imbibing, jabbing, and, incredibly, feeling kinda — how you say? — cool. The vibe was simply great, and covering the joint were the types of hipsters you couldn’t imagine kicking it at T.G.I.F.’s but looked right at home here — a red-headed hairdresser, a lingerie salesman, some wearers of vintage clothes. Of course, one evening does not a reputation make, but Last Call couldn’t shake the feeling that most of the patrons were regulars.
Based on past experiences, Ocean Rock wasn’t always this hip. Word on the street is that as soon as one particular surly manager split last summer — and took with him his willingness to turn a blind eye to the ass-dragging service, inconsistent kitchen, and overall malaise — the restaurant/bar began to improve. Reportedly, part-owner Ian Francis then began digging his hands into the icebox, cracking open oysters single-handedly, and in one form or another raising the level of performance of the entire staff.
We’re not saying that Ocean Rock is the second coming of Blade’s Prime Chophouse, but the TCU-area address is more than worth a visit. Drink up, matey.
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