A Birthday Celebration, Buttered Lobster Rolls & Outstanding Hospitality!…read more
There's nothing quite like celebrating a friend's birthday over good food, great conversation, and a little indulgence! This time, we headed to The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill in Buckhead, and what a lovely evening it turned out to be.
I made our reservation through OpenTable, keeping in mind that my dear friend Shelly is a pescatarian. Since it was her birthday, I wanted her to have plenty of delicious options to choose from. And The Big Ketch certainly delivered!
First, a special shout-out to Brandon, our server, who was absolutely fantastic! What a wonderful personality. He was friendly, engaging, attentive, and genuinely made our evening more enjoyable. Hospitality makes such a difference, and Brandon understands that beautifully.
We started with the Shrimp & Crab Au Gratin, a warm, creamy seafood appetizer served with pita chips. Delicious! Rich, comforting, and perfect for sharing.
Shelly also enjoyed oysters, which made for a lovely start to her birthday celebration.
For our main course, we split the Hot Buttered Lobster Roll, served warm on a butter-toasted roll with Maine lobster and drawn butter. What's not to love about lobster and butter? Such a satisfying treat!
I also ordered the Green Goddess Salad, with cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, sugar snap peas, and green goddess dressing. Fresh, colorful, and delicious! However, mine arrived with what appeared to be feta cheese, which wasn't listed in the menu description. While I enjoy feta, unexpected ingredients should be disclosed, particularly for guests with dietary restrictions or allergies. A small detail, but one worth addressing.
For my cocktail, I ordered a vodka tonic with lime. Let's just say the bartender wasn't shy with the vodka! It was stronger than I prefer, and I couldn't finish it. Fortunately, Shelly was happy to help me out!
And then came the sweetest part of the evening.
Brandon brought out a beautiful Strawberry Shortcake to celebrate Shelly's birthday. Presented in an adorable little glass mason jar, it was charming, thoughtful, and the perfect finishing touch. Sometimes those little gestures are what make a dining experience memorable.
What I appreciated most about The Big Ketch was the relaxed atmosphere and genuine hospitality. We weren't looking for a formal, elaborate dining experience. We wanted wonderful seafood, a comfortable place to catch up, and an opportunity to celebrate a special friend. Mission accomplished!
There were a couple of minor misses with the salad ingredients and cocktail balance, but overall, the food was enjoyable, the evening was fun, and Brandon's excellent service deserves recognition.
Happy birthday, Shelly! Here's to more wonderful meals, more adventures, and plenty of reasons to celebrate!
Life is too short not to eat well! Get out there, explore somewhere new, share a meal with someone you love, and find your next great dining experience.
Bon appétit!