In the centre of Castledawson - just across the road from the legendary Ditty's bakery, and with a garden view over the Moyala River at the back - this is a second venture by Roly Graham, owner-chef of the highly regarded and very successful Church Street Restaurant in nearby Magherafelt.
Originally envisaged as a fish & chip restaurant - and Oscars Fish'n'Chips with mushy peas and tartare sauce is indeed the house speciality - what actually emered on opening day was something much nicer: a rustic chic destination offering a great choice of seafood for various times and occasions plus some excellent meats, and all at very pocket friendly prices.
You're never far from the sea in Ireland but, until now, this area hasn't been the place to look for a fish restaurant, so filling the gap was a good move, especially when it has been done with such style.
There is no reception area, which might be an issue if you have to wait for a table, but - just beside the entrace, in a semi-private area - there's a large boat-themed glass topped table used for private dining where you could sit and have a drink if it's not in use.
The menu structure is brilliant, it's very customer-focused and they have thought of almost everything.
An afternoon/early evening menu offers flat rate starters (£3) mains (£8) and desserts (£3) plus the option of some of Ditty's delicious bread from across the road to munch with local butter while you wait; it's almost exclusively fish and seafood though, wtith only a couple of options (soup, chickem tacos) for anyone who doesn't eat fish.
Although there's nothing for vegetarians, the evening à la carte offers a wider choice - chargrills, including Hannans salt chamber sirloin - and almost everyone will find plenty to please among the wide-ranging fish and seafood dishes.
It's good to see Toomebridge Eel, from nearby Lough Neagh, among the starters (creamy smoked eel, served with pickles and Ditty's toast) and we'd love to hear more about this on the menu along with other details, such as the Hannans salt chamber story, which would interest visitors.
The cooking is terrific - the ultrafresh fish just flaking on the fork is memorable - each dish is carefully thought through and the presentation is lovely too.
And you'll finish on a high with delicious desserts - crème brulée with rum & raisin ice cream, perhaps - or a cheesboard, and here again it would be nice to have details of the cheeses, on the menu or given by the very friendly and accommodating staff.
The drinks list offers a balanced choice of red and white wines (more whites might be welcome to match the menu), some sparkling wines and a good selection of spirits including local Bushmills Whiskey and Jawbox Gin as well as a cocktail menu.
A separate menu runs all through Sunday and offers particularly good value.
This is a great place for families - with crowd pleasers like crispy squid and creamy seafood pasta among the choices, the 'real food' children's menu is an ideal introduction to fish and seafood for little ones, and it also gives plenty of other options.
All round, it's worth coming off the main Belfast-Derry road to pay Oscar's a visit - excellent food, and very reasonably priced.
