I came here years ago with my nephews and finally had the chance to come back. Wow!!!!! They've completely remodeled the restaurant! I absolutely love the aesthetics and the overall vibe. The space is beautiful, welcoming and perfect for a date night. The food was fresh, flavorful and everything came out perfectly. A special shoutout to Carrie for providing amazing service and making our experience even better. She was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. If you're looking for a great spot with a cute atmosphere, delicious food, and excellent service, definitely check this place out. I'll definitely be back! read more

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First time here. Solid selection of oysters and seafood. Mixed drinks are spectacular. Great bartender knows her stuff! Very good table service made extra points with making a birthday a special one. Music is good and at a volume level where conversation remains the primary focus. For me, this is a special occasion only spot, b/c the prices are a bit steep (especially since their sushi, oysters, and lobster roll are more expensive than they are in Boston). I think the logistics of getting fresh seafood makes it more expensive in Atlanta for certain selections? I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on that one. Also would have appreciated an oyster being taken off the bill when I informed the server it was a bad one. All in all ok, knowing that's a known risk with eating them. read more

We returned to the Optimist - not so much because we were so satisfied with our last meal - we weren't. However, it's Mother's Day weekend and there was little availability. The meal last time was good - however - portion sizes were some of the smallest I've seen. In addition, the entrees have NO SIDES - not a little potato or veggie - which I find disturbing because the average price of an entree is between $30-40 - sides are $10-$15. Get it? Okay enough of that. I ordered the Blackened Red Fish. I didn't finish it - I can't remember the last time I didn't finish a piece of fish that cost $40!! It had no flavor - even a slight fishy taste! I was in disbelief! Luckily, my partner has ordered the Crispy Haddock - which she had the last time. It was amazing! Last time - the size of the haddock was as big as a McDonalds fish filet - there's a picture attached! This time, it looked like a piece of beer battered fish I would get in England !! It was as large as any I've seen - the beer batter coating was fried perfectly and the haddock inside was as tender and tasty as you'd expect from this classic white fish!! She gave me half of her order - and that was my meal!! We also ordered the thick chips (fries) that were very good - and the Hush Puppies. I'm not sure why the Optimist increased the size of their Crispy Haddock, but that's the dish you should order!!! read more

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Was in the neighborhood, can't stop thinking about the shrimp Al plancha and the milk bread, we stopped by Sunday evening at 9:15. Still having residual diners finishing up, Chris our server was attentive and patient Curry rice w chili oil: 5/5 amazing with lump crabs, great rec by Chris, paired with the blackened red fish in a creamy avocado sauce; Roasted oysters: 3.5/5; not as good as C&S but still yummy and buttery; fried oyster: 1/5; was too juicy and big, not a fan; Shrimp al plancha: 5/5; my personal fav here, however first time trying the peeled version. Like the no peeled better but this is way less messy. read more

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Came here with a party of 6 for dinner and it was great! Highly recommend coming here with a larger party so you can try more things. The dishes work very well family style. Everything we ordered was very tasty. The dinner rolls are free and they are SOOOO GOOD. we had 3 plates. Out of the thing we ordered I particularly liked the cod cheeks, local lettuce salad, redfish. The sauce for the cod cheeks was sooo flavorful and we kept dipping the bread in the sauce. The service was amazing too. Overall a great dinner place to celebrate a special day. Highly recommend and one of our favorite places in Atlanta! read more

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We went with my in-laws for their 17th Wedding Anniversary. SHOUT OUT TO ALYSSA!!!! She was wonderful and took great care of us. The experience from the second you walk in the door is top notch. We had smoked fish dip, beets with strawberries, hamachi and deviled eggs to start. DELICIOUS! We each ordered a cocktail and tailored it to our liking and ordered Flounder, Sea Scallops, and blacked red fish with shareable sides being the fingerling potatoes and greens. I can't say I had a favorite starter or side because they are all full of flavor and cooked perfectly. They made my in-laws evening one to remember with the anniversary stamp on the menu, the coaster and even going the extra mile to celebrate (17) the year of furniture with cute chairs made from champagne top. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE that made the evening special!! We'll be back very soon. read more

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A great meal from start to finish. I sat at the bar and was warmly greeted by Mia (been with Optimist 4 months) and Wolf (been with Optimist 4 weeks). They were working hard caring for guests at the bar while whatever orders were coming in. Scale: 1 = poor / 5 = oh yeah Deviled eggs: 5 Fried oysters: 4 Kedgeree: 5 Roasted half chicken: 4 Service: 5 Not sure what's taken me so long to get here, but it will be in rotation for future visits. read more

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We had an excellent experience. Chris, our waiter, was so amazing. He gave excellent recommendations, was very approachable, and checked on us regularly. The deviled eggs were delicious and packed with flavor. The Optimist (a cold seafood platter) was very fresh and a good portion. The Shrimp a la Pancha was definitely a highlight. It was packed with flavor and comes with bread so you can enjoy you and more of that creamy goodness. Our waiter said that the greens were disrespectful because of how good they are, and he was not wrong. They are absolutely amazing, filled with bits of bacon goodness, and could easily be eaten as a full meal. The redfish was good, but after enjoying so many other delicious items, we would have been fine not having it. It was a little loud, but we could still hold a conversation sitting next to each other. read more

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While visiting friends in Atlanta they took me to one of their favorite spots near their house, The Optimist. Being an optimist myself, I was already intrigued. And boy was my optimism correct, everything here was fantastic! From the speed of the service to the the taste of the food, everything was superb. They were very attentive and great with the little things, like the water refills, asking about allergies, etc. The ambiance was great, but the food was even better! Everything we tried was rich with flavors, from the sides, to the well prepared fish, and even the dessert hit the right notes! Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 4.5/5 Value: 4/5 Overall: 4.67/5 read more

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What a great experience! I love that they had valet for $6 so it was so easy to get parking. The moment you sat down, our waiter was very attentive and vibe was very relaxing, with a hint of fancy. We started with raw oysters and it was so good! The hot sauce that we got for the oysters was the perfect spicy level. We got a couple of apps, and everything was delicious. The way they seasoned the dishes were absolutely prefect. And the drinks, wow. My favorite was the Castle in the Sky. If you like the taste of Yuzu, get this drink. Overall, we had a great time dining here. Everything was delicious! read more

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The Optimist is an easy 5-star call. The overall impression is strong, and it feels like a place worth prioritizing. I'd happily go back.

This place is not really a go to restaurant for me, but it does make sense because I'm not an oyster person.. at least with raw oysters so with that being said, this isn't really my cup of tea when it comes to cuisine. However, I did enjoy some of the things that we ordered or were served. They brought out some bread when we first got there and that was really good. We also got some crab soup, which was good, but definitely not great. We also got grilled oysters and those were good but I know oyster fanatics say that those don't count lmao I ordered the flounder and that was pretty decent, but definitely not great. In terms of the ambience to me, the ambience is just very average here. There's really nothing special about it. In terms of the aesthetic and overall experience it's just again average to me.The service was pretty good. I feel like our server was definitely nice and friendly. He did forget something that I asked for and eventually just never brought it, but it wasn't a big deal because at that point I didn't really care for the item but overall this place is OK to me. It's really not somewhere that I would personally go out of my way to go to. read more

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10 out of 5 Stars! From the awesome bar service while waiting for a table to Brett our awesome waiter! Everything was Stellar! My friend doesn't drink but her husband & I make up for that. Our Long Island Iced Teas (For Him) & my Ketel One Vodka & Tonic were executed perfectly! Great liquor to mixer ratios. I started with the Shrimp A La Plancha. Head On Shrimp on "sopping toast" with a chili butter & lıme. This dish was by far my favorite. The sauce could have been served on my boot & I would've devoured it! Then to my companions chagrin I ordered the Cod Cheeks. They are not adventurous eaters, even though I tried to tell them there is nothing adventurous about this dish. It was delicious! Buttery, garlicky flaky bits of fish with benne crunch. Soooo good! My friend ordered the Blackened Redfish in a garlic beurre blanc. Another amazing dish. My friend's husband & I ended our meals with a smashed Butter burger. A delicious 2 crispy edged patties with carmelized onions, cheese & Comeback Sauce. Which heated up great for breakfast the next morning. Overall. Not a bad dish in sight! You must come. And ask for Brett! He was kind, informative & patient. Do it! 12-28-2025 read more

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Everybody and their mother has been to the optimist. I had my first time and it was actually pretty good. The environment is really nice and dark and it could be intimate or good for a group of friends to go to. There's a lot of places you can be here, indoor and outdoor as well, so I don't think that you're restricted or limited. Even if it's cooler weather they have places where you can say where there's heat. When you make it in, you have to pretty much valet for the most part. There are places you can self park as well. I think though because it's in the middle of a residential apartment building. But there are places and parking is not that expensive. You can try to find street parking but given the time of night, you never know. You come in the door and you're greeted immediately, we had good customer service coming in, you can actually see the people in the back with the oysters when you walk in as well. So it's really scenic here. When you walk into the main room. The bar is huge, and the space is massive. It has glass Pace in the outside so you can not feel so enclosed. So it is really good as far as scenes go. Our way staff was amazing. We had no issues! They kept our cup full and kept the food coming. And even had some good conversation between that! Lobster roll - The lobster roll was really good. It had a lot of flavor to it and was really full and the bread has the right amount of baked consistency to it as well. I would 100% grab this again from here. Wood grilled oysters - The oysters were okay. Only because I know what real oysters are like. If you go to some place like New Orleans, these were not that. I would maybe get them again but I wouldn't rush to get them again. They were pretty decent in taste but they were a lot smaller and less meaty than what you get elsewhere. Table bread - whatever this bread was was made by the gods! It was buttery and flavorful and soft and it tasted like eating magical clouds LOL! They could have brought this and I would have filled up on this without an issue LOL! I mean I don't think that I love this place like other people do but I really like it and I would like to go back and try a couple more things! They definitely have my attention! read more

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Still 5 stars all around. I ordered the same exact thing as last time, except I got to try my person's oysters and let's just say I now know why people come here for them! I can't wait to come back again. read more

The Optimist - Wood roasted oysters - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

The reason to come here is for the oysters! Absolutely phenomenal. Their happy hour is the best way to try a variety -- great pricing on a rotating selection of super fresh oysters. If you're an oyster lover, just go. The vibe is super cute: modern industrial with a touch of farmhouse charm. Even the table bread is memorable (I'd come back for that alone). Cocktails are on the pricier side, but they're delicious, balanced, and definitely boozy -- worth the splurge. One of my favorite spots in the area for a relaxed but elevated seafood night. Get ready The Optimist! You're about to have a new regular. read more

The Optimist - Inside - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

We chose The Optimist for a milestone celebration dinner and, unfortunately, left disappointed. When we arrived, the valet attendant told us they EXPECTED a tip on top of the valet charge of $6. If you pay through the parking app with a credit card, there is an additional fee of nearly $2. No one greeted us or opened our car doors when we arrived or departed. This left a poor first and last impression. We love raw oysters and were excited about The Optimist. Since it was our first time dining at a restaurant centered around oysters, we were unclear how it worked. After overhearing another server explain the oyster and main menu options to a neighboring table we learned (mid way through our meal) that there were oysters available from both the main menu and a separate oyster menu. A first-time guest shouldn't need prior knowledge to navigate a signature offering. The food itself was good, but the overall experience fell well short of expectations. Between the valet experience and the lack of guidance, it simply wasn't the experience we were hoping for, and we do not plan to return. read more

My family loves the optimist, including my 2 young daughters. We love sitting both indoors and outside to people watch. Parking is easy with valet and is reasonably priced. Service is usually great from all staff. They offer complimentary rolls that are so soft, warm, buttery and savory! My girls always order the cheeseburger from the kids menu. It comes with fries or mixed steam veggies. All the seafood on the menu that we've ordered has always been so tasty! We will continue to enjoy this seafood staple in our west midtown backyard. read more

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The Optimist never misses. From the moment you walk in, the vibe feels coastal without trying too hard, and the service is always on point. But let's talk about those wood-grilled oysters... absolute perfection. Smoky, buttery, with just the right kiss of char. They come out sizzling and disappear just as fast. Easily some of the best oysters I've had anywhere. And the oyster happy hour? Elite. Fresh, briny, ice-cold oysters at a price that makes you want to order another round without hesitation. It's the kind of happy hour that turns into a full evening because everything is just that good. If you appreciate seafood done right, The Optimist is it. Consistent, flavorful, and worth every visit. read more

Had not been to The Optimist in quite some time, and we were a little disappointed. She crab soup and the Keylime pie were delicious, and the service was very good. Lobster was very small and just okay. Biggest issue was that I got really sick to my stomach from the food. Not sure if it was the cream from the soup or the 6 pounds of butter in the lobster or something else. Won't be rushing back too soon. read more

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Took my parents here for their 38th anniversary! My wallet was empty, but my stomach was full! The service was good, but feels like it could have been better. The server we had may have been having a bad day, but thats ok she still did great! The overall ambiance was also so classy and rustic with a whole lot of elegance! Bathrooms were also cool lol. Overall this is a great spot to celebrate or just a cute date night! read more

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Seen so many great reviews of this places for quite some time so I wanted to try it for awhile. However, it wasn't the best of experiences. The CONS: -only valet parking available right at the restaurant. There's limited street parking about a block away. -dark ambiant lighting; I don't necessarily eating in the dark...but I could see how some might think it's romantic or cozy. -small portions but highly inflated prices -suuuuuuuuuuper long wait. we ordered right away but it still took a good 20 minutes just for our drinks (non-alcoholic) and then another 20+ minutes for our food. The PROS: +friendly service. So even though it took almost an hour for our food to get to us, our server was apologetic along the way...even though a few of those times we had to flag her down. +the flavor and taste of all of the food was delicious read more

The Optimist - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Came here for a small bday and the bday boy had a menu that had a happy birthday stamp. It's cute. Food was fantastic and service was quick and considerate. I'll definitely come back again when in the area. It was a bit cold when we dined here so we didn't get a chance to use their putting greens, but it looked like it was available for those who enjoy golfing, specifically while waiting for your table to be ready. read more

6 years since my last review and honestly I can say this was the best dining experience I've ever had. We had our go-to server Amanda who always exceeds expectations, but this time she outdid herself. I put the menus down and told her to order everything for us...the best decision I could've made. She coursed out a perfectly curated meal WITH great drink pairings for each course. Everything that hit the table was amazing. She started us out with the tuna crudo, clams, octopus, and roasted oysters. As a fan of the old octopus with the spicy honey, this version with salsa matcha and apple mole honestly held up to it. Later we had the redfish, scallops and crispy potatoes. I can remember the name of the sauce with the redfish but I want to be buried with a pint of it. Just reheated it with my left overs and it's still as good as it was yesterday. We needed the meal with the biggest slice of cake I've ever seen. Chef Eddie is truly making magic come out of that kitchen with these flavors. What a dinner. A huge thank you to the entire chef team, the bar team (especially Moriah!) and of course Amanda for making this anniversary meal memorable . She even came to the table and played the song Anniversary on her phone for us. That's a level of care and attention that can't be taught, it's just naturally in you. She's truly one of a kind and part of the heart of this building. This was easily a Michelin level experience. Thank you for making me and my date feel special. Great job Optimist! read more

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I so wanted to give this a great review! Valet was courteous and very affordable at $6. My reservation was updated to the wrong date but they took us quickly anyway. It took 45 minutes to get our raw oysters and appetizers. An hour and 15 minutes later we had to speak to the manager because my friends 2 hour parking was about to expire. It had been 2 hours. The manager apologized, comped our order, and gave me a birthday sorbet. This was our second visit with this issue unfortunately it just so happened to be my birthday. 2 entrees were undercooked and two sides were cold. The flavor of the food was delicious and management tried to fix it. That is why I gave it the stars I did. Ambiance is low light and medium level noise. read more

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Our daughter recommended this restaurant to us & I'm so glad we got a reservation before we flew out the next day! This restaurant is beautifully designed! Many indoor and outdoor seats are available. Our service and waiter were just great! They really put the effort into making you feel comfortable and tended to. This restaurant is not stuffy at all. Come dressed up or in your best jeans, it's all welcome here! The food was TOP NOTCH! The cocktails were also delectable! I highly recommend this restaurant. A must stop! read more

The Optimist - Tres Leches dessert - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Really great seafood meal at The Optimist that I would highly recommend if you find yourself in Atlanta. Food was fresh, well-prepared and had a unique take creating delicious flavors. Michael, our waiter, explained the menu perfectly and helped us order the perfect amount of food. Only thing I didn't grab a picture of was the Haddock Chowder which was so good that I wanted to lick the bowl. The pictures don't do the food justice. The place is nicely decorated but completely approachable, and perfect for a date night or an evening out with a group of friends. read more

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The Optimist has always been one of my favorite restaurants and it never disappoints. I celebrated my birthday here most recently and I must say the service was TOP TIER! I went during oyster happy hour before dining and our waiter Robert was AMAZING! He was extremely attentive and friendly. He truly made the entire dining experience worth while. The food was great as always and the entire atmosphere was pleasant. This will be forever be one of my go-to places to dine! read more

The Optimist - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Austin was our server and he was so amazing. He kept the delicious food coming and he had great recommendations. Parking was simple with Valet out front. You have to arrive early to order the Lobster because they were sadly out on Sunday night. This was everything that I heard about and even better when it comes to a great Seafood experience. Oysters were fresh!!! read more

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Massive shoutout to the culinary team and our incredible waitress, Raquel, for going above and beyond to accommodate my Whole30 diet this month - she even researched the program after I placed my order and worked with the kitchen to pivot my dish when soy was in the original prep. Truly above-and-beyond service. Chef Ford even gave recommendations prior to. Just above and beyond customer service! The Optimist has been a go-to for date nights and special occasions (even a birthday dinner!). It's on the pricier side--entrées range mid $30s-$40s, with sides $12-$18--but the quality and creativity consistently deliver. Pro Tips: * Grab a seat at the seafood bar from 5-6pm for happy hour drinks and oyster specials. * The complimentary rolls are dangerously good (when not on Whole30, of course). Favorites we've loved: * Bluefin Tuna with chimichurri (a fresh, unique twist) * Summer Yellowtail with peach--perfectly sweet and savory * Shrimp A La Plancha * Crispy Haddock * Half-Roasted Chicken (crispy skin, juicy inside) * Char and Sea Scallops are also hits Beautiful space, great for any season. Always a standout experience. read more

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I love everything about this restaurant. 10/10 service. I dined alone, yet the server made me feel so welcomed and shared her favorite recommendations. Easily some of the best oysters in Atlanta. read more

Everything was amazing! From the valet attendant making sure I had an umbrella, to the hosts getting me seated quickly with my party (since I was running late) to our phenomenal server Michael! Food was delicious! Roasted oysters were hot and tasty. The she crab soup was extra creamy and flavorful. The hush puppies were sweet and savory, recommend saving them for dessert but do whatever you like! I had the rice and broccolini and both were splendid. Then, I tasted my dinner mates' trout and got jealous. Delicious! Oh and the complimentary dinner rolls were so soft and buttery. This is my new go to for a slightly fancy seafood dinner with a completely relaxed vibe. 10/10 I will definitely be back! read more

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Celebrated a birthday with a friend here. We had a long list of places to try. We weren't quite impressed with the restaurant pics online. The pics was giving very casual fish house. We wanted someplace sexy with great food. Since The Optimist had great reviews we settled for it. We were pleasantly surprised. The restaurant definitely gives the sexy vibes we were looking for. Even more impressive was the service. From the front door, to the bartenders to our waitress Autumn everyone was friendly, warm and professional. Autumn was very knowledgeable about menu items and gave great recommendations. My friends and I got many items and enjoyed everything. As for parking there is $5 valet offered by the establishment which was super convenient. Street parking was super tight. There is a parking garage in the same complex.... But I didn't take note of it's open to the restaurant patrons or not. I look forward to going back even by mystery to sit at the bar for happy hour or date night. read more

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My parents come here a lot so I decided to meet my dad to see what the hype was about. Very cute space! My dad loves the rolls and they are delicious. Crispy and fluffy with a good salty butter. We kept it pretty light. I did she crab soup and peel & eat. If there is peel & eat on the menu I am going to get it lol. It seems they are known for oysters and sadly that is just not my thing. My dad loves their octopus and we tried the chicken. I can't say I like it. It was kind of flavorless but the puree they paired with it was good. Our server was really nice and gave recommendations. I would go back to give them another chance and try so more dishes. read more

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I never leave reviews, but when a restaurant goes above and beyond it feels necessary. I've gone to the Optimist many times over the years and the food has always been incredible. Their oyster selection is extensive and unlike anywhere else in Atlanta. Though the food is divine this review is about the service! I was at another restaurant enjoying caviar when the fire alarm went off and it was evacuated. The Optimist made it up to me by offering caviar service and champagne! As someone who has been to many Michelin star restaurants all over the world I can easily say this is Michelin level service! Thanks again for turning a bad situation into a wonderful night. read more

The Optimist - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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I'd been wanting to try the Optimist for some time now, I love oysters and I've heard nothing but great things about this restaurant from friends and fellow oyster lovers. And WOW! The food here is amazing. I'd like to take the time to shout out our waiter Patrick, who at the time was in training. Patrick was very attentive to my coworkers and I needs and our orders and made great suggestions. Our service was quick and the food came out the right temperature. The yummy rolls pictured are not on the menu but please request them!!! They are delectable and serve as a great appetizer. The optimist also is a very cute restaurant. There's indoor and outdoor seating and even seating at an oyster bar - which is great for those who just want to get straight to the good stuff, haha. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and will certainly be back! read more

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My manager took me here while visiting for work. It was really good. All of the food was incredible. I really enjoyed the variety of dishes. The oysters were outstanding. read more

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This was my first time at the Atl location of the Optimist. The space is very cool, though a little too dark. I literally saw people using the flashlights from their phones to read the menu. Service was great. Starters: Bread rolls, Spicy Kale Salad, Octopus, Lobster rolls The bread were balls of buttery goodness. The kale in the salad was so soft and the perfect texture, though I personally wasn't a huge fan of the dried chorizo. The octopus was very delicious; I just wish there was more of it for the price I was paying. Same goes for the lobster rolls; they were fantastic, but be warned, they are TINY (almost bite sized). Main: Chicken Schnitzel The schnitzel was tasty and came with a nice salad and garlic aioli sauce. Portion size was huge as well, so I was satisfied. Dessert: Sticky toffee pudding and Sorbet of the moment (pear) Both desserts were winners of the night. If you like sweet chocolatey desserts, definitely order the pudding. The sorbet was fantastic as well-very refreshing. read more

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Back here again after a while and SO happy we decided to come back! Ambience is still exactly how I remembered it -- you can make it a more upscale dinner or keep it relaxed/casual depending on where you sit, which is something I really love about this place. Our server Rolanda was amazing... warm, attentive, and just such a great vibe. We ordered our usual favorites -- the octopus and the shrimp a la plancha -- both still perfect. We tried the fried oysters for the first time this visit and I'm so glad we did... such a great choice. The basmati rice is always a must for us here too. Even though we moved to the west, this is one of those restaurants we will continue to come back to whenever we are in town. We're here for a conference this week and made the trip back -- and honestly, worth it every time. read more

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I love the high-quality seafood and a stylish, modern atmosphere, this spot is absolutely worth visiting. Just make sure to secure a reservation well in advance! read more