I actually like it. (The DOF I mean.)

Try turning up the RPP, you may even have to do 256 and wait for a couple of weeks. :) That should help with the graininess. If it doesn't you may have to reduce the amount of DOF that you have. Did you leave it on the default setting? If so, I think that that is always waaay too much. For a nice effect, I usually use a DOF anywhere from .02 to .05. Any more than that, IMHO, can ruin the image.

Just remember that when you want to use DOF in an image, everything has to be built to scale for it to really work. But this looks nice, I can't wait to see it finished.

HTH

Mike