Discover a seafood treasure right off campus

"Where's that?" Well, O' Hara's Fish House sits on Penn's campus at the corner of 39th and Chestnut streets. And apparently, it's a well-kept secret. As my dinner companion and I entered the restaurant, a dearth of college-age clientele was immediately noticeable. Many of the patrons were older, family-rearing types. However, just because the Penn campus doesn't know about this moderately priced seafood place doesn't mean that it isn't worth patronizing. The atmosphere at O'Hara's could be called something like "Typical Seafood Eclectic." The walls are adorned with all sorts of maritime paraphernalia, from a giant oar suspended from the ceiling to our seat under the painting of a marlin, not to mention the large, tropical fish aquarium in the center of the restaurant. Our friendly waitress -- after presenting us with soft rolls as soon as we sat down -- brought our drink orders immediately (white zinfandel, $4.50 a glass), and she provided us with prompt service the rest of the evening. First up was the appetizer. After passing on the usual cheesesticks or stuffed mushrooms, we decided on the 1/2 lb. of Alaskan Crab Legs ($7.95). The crab was tasty and relatively easy to access despite the fact that we weren't given a nutcracker to break the shells with. Since O'Hara's is a "Fish House," my escort and I both eschewed the selection of steaks and barbequed ribs for seafood dishes. I ordered the Stuffed Lobster Tail, while my friend opted for the Grilled Atlantic Salmon. As soon as our entrees were placed on the table, a live jazz band started rocking in O' Hara's bar section. The jazz -- every Saturday night at O' Hara's -- was a groovy, mellow surprise that did nothing but enhance an already pleasant dining experience. To my Midwestern palate, any fresh seafood that isn't catfish is a refreshing change, yet the Lobster Tail was truly amazing. Juicy and succulent, the lobster itself rested above the two cracked shells while the delicious, moist stuffing filled the hollowed-out insides. My companion, who claims to dislike seafood, thoroughly enjoyed the salmon, which was so tender that it almost melted off the fork. Each entree is served with a Vegetable of the Day and a baked potato. The vegetable du jour on this particular evening was an array of mixed vegetables soaked in spices and certainly helped to accentuate the meal. The baked potato -- perhaps a little overcooked -- was an adequate side dish.