Nestled inside of King Canary Brewing (Davidson location), Marlee Jeans is a fresh casual fare seafood restaurant with options for those allergic to seafood. Chef Erick + team take every measure to prevent cross contamination for those with allergies - whether seafood or gluten. I also love the way their set up is: order your drinks from king canary, order your food from the Marlee Jeans side. It's perfect for gathering with a group as they give you a number tent and the server/food runner brings you the food as soon as it is prepared. In my opinion, this prevents food from sitting in the windows and getting cold cause "it's not my table." The concept of gathering your own utensils (not plastic) is spot on as it allows those who only want to drink and sit and socialize not feel pressured to order a full sit down meal, thus washing cutlery that's never been used. For this most recent visit, I took advantage of their snow-weather special: $30 for 1 dozen raw oysters as well as their lobster Mac and cheese. Coming out hot and bubbly with a cheese crust, I had to wait for the Mac and cheese to cool off to eat. I sat at the raw bar and watched Chef Erick personally shuck my oysters. My short rib quesadilla was just as flavorful though I think I prefer the short rib panini instead. read more

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Stopped by Marlee Jean's Raw Bar & Kitchen while in town and thought it was such a cute little spot. The inside had a really fun vibe and decor, but we ended up sitting outside on the patio since we had our dogs with us. Super relaxed atmosphere and a great place to hang out for lunch. You order food and drinks at the counter and they bring everything out to your table. I originally wanted sweet tea (sadly they didn't have any ), so I switched it up and ordered their spicy Bloody Mary instead... and WOW. Holy moly, it was GOOD. Easily the highlight of the meal for me. We tried a few different things -- the tuna wontons, burrata salad with shrimp, panini, and potato wedges. The presentation was great and everything was decent, but the food itself was just okay overall. Atmosphere and drinks definitely carried the experience for me. Giving this one 4 stars because the vibe was really nice, patio was dog-friendly, and that Bloody Mary deserves its own shoutout. read more

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This was not my first experience at Marlee Jean's and figured it would not be my last. Tonight, guaranteed I will be back--and that is 10,000% because of Chef Gillian. I've observed her expert approach to the raw bar before, but got to experience her direct, all-in commitment to the guest experience. She's very astute, well trained in the culinary arts and a bright energy. Go for the amazing food, stay for the amazing care!!! read more

Unfortunately this is my second time trying Marlee Jean's, and my second disappointing experience. This time I got the Lobster Roll and the Chicken Wings. I am a Lobster Roll enthusiast, I have eaten Lobster Rolls from every north east coastal state and everywhere else I go - if there's a Lobster Roll on the menu there's a good chance that's what I'm getting. Unfortunately this one was one of my least favorites. There was no hint of sweetness, it was bitter and overly seasoned. The lobster meat itself was fine although I had to pick shell out of my mouth 3 different bites, and the flavors were just off to me. The roll was good, but we all know the star of the show is the lobster and it was just not doing it for me. The wings were dry. That's basically a deal breaker right off the bat, if the chicken isn't tender and juicy it's hard to enjoy them. I also had multiple flats with broken bones. I got the Cajun dry rub which was pretty good, but on a overly cooked dry wing it ends up overwhelming. You need a juicy wing to complement a strong seasoning. My first experience was right after they opened maybe a year ago or so, so I wanted to give them another try. Maybe they do good stuff with other dishes based on the reviews, but my experiences have been underwhelming. read more

Marlee Jean's Raw Bar & Kitchen - Lobster Roll (underwhelming) - Seafood Near Me - Davidson, North Carolina

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Been twice now and frankly would enjoy making Marlee Jean's an every weekend date. First time we ordered then sat at the King Canary bar and this time sat at two of the four seats in front of the oyster bar. On both visits we've had the crab cake app and oysters. Other things we've tried have been the chili shrimp, ahi tuna wontons and grilled oysters. Also had an Alaska King Crab roll that was a special on the most recent visit. Everything we've tried has been fresh and delicious and the folks prepping it all are super friendly. Really great add to Davidson. read more

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Cute spot nestled between the Davidson College store and an Italian restaurant. There used to be a wine bar in this spot, and glad to see something newer and more interesting/innovative adding to the restaurant scene in this awesome college town. Massive kudos for the friendliness of the service. We ate at the bar and shared a couple of the seafood dishes and a flatbread, and really enjoyed the crowd, the room, and especially all of the folks working there. As you may have read, it's an unusual concept in that there are two different (and separate) businesses under one roof. So you order drinks at the bar and food at the counter...and end up paying two separate tabs (although the expediters from the food side will bring the food to your table or bar spot). Bizarre and something perhaps worth simplifying... Nice selection of wines by the glass and, even though you can't see it when you walk in, a full bar with specialty cocktail menu (as well as a wide variety of craft beers...unsurprisingly given the name of the bar side). Just can't say enough about how fabulous the service was...at the bar and on the food side. The food was pretty good but not outstanding from our standpoint. The hamachi crudo and seared ahi tuna were good...but kind of "over sauced" in our opinion -- kind of the equivalent of an overdressed salad. We also had a truffle mushroom flatbread -- also tasty, but the truffle was so subtle that we couldn't taste any. Not a criticism but worth knowing: the flatbread is kind of unusual; I usually think of "flatbread" as more...well...flat...crispy brick oven type of crust. The bread base here was a bit more leavened...but again, quite good. Reiterating, the service team was just so welcoming and friendly and otherwise outstanding, and we'll definitely be back ... perhaps with some requests to go lighter on the sauces for what we tried, and enthusiasm for trying some other things on the menu -- especially the lobster mac and cheese...sounds obscenely good... read more

Absolutely incredible seafood! Everything was fresh and bursting with flavor. The staff was super friendly and helped us navigate the menu, even recommending their favorite oysters. We tried the Davidson oysters and Hamachi Crudo--our first time having crudo, and it was mind-blowingly good. We'll definitely be back! read more

Marlee Jean's Raw Bar was so disappointing. The parking is very limited. The oysters tasted a little off and the rest of the food is mediocre, at best. The service is barely there; mostly get your own stuff (and then they recommend a 20% tip when you place your own order, get your own utensils and water. A tip for what?) There is barely any room; with tiny tables and small chairs. Okay if all you want is a beer or other alcoholic beverages. We will not be going back. read more

We very much enjoyed lunch at Marlee Jeans today. We were looking for a nice cocktail and some appetizers and that we got! I had the poke bowl and hubby got the cuban panini and truffle wedges. More food than we needed and was all delicious. The service was excellent and the atmosphere is beautiful. read more

Marlee Jean's Raw Bar & Kitchen - Poke bowl, truffle wedges and cuban panini - Seafood Near Me - Davidson, North Carolina

The Shorty & lobster roll were super good! The brioche on the roll was to die for !! Will definitely come back read more

Marlee Jean's Raw Bar & Kitchen - The shorty & Lobster roll - Seafood Near Me - Davidson, North Carolina

Such a quaint spot in the heart of Davidson. Amazing seafood, great service and welcoming atmosphere! Can't wait to come back!

Ok I am being nice, oysters I had were good, crab cake sorry you don't bake a crabcake, I realize you have limited equipment, but1 it can be done, the wedges are good but would be better fried. Again I realize you don't have the equipment. Beer from your neighbor is good, work on food it can be better with a little work read more

Besides the attentive service and friendly staff, the food was delicious. I had fresh oysters and mushroom flatbread at my last visit. Highly recommend trying everything on the menu headed by award winning Chef Erick and Amanda! read more

Marlee Jean's Raw Bar & Kitchen - Fresh oysters - Seafood Near Me - Davidson, North Carolina

Don't sit in the bar area, sit at the counter. It is an interesting upscale counter serservice concept. The seafood is fresh and most of the items are from the NC coast. Best tuna nachos and lobster roll I have had in a long time. Also the broiled oysters were really tasty. They just opened a week ago so I only expect things to get better. read more

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Had the Alaskan king crab what a generous portion worth it. No shells just meat! Also had hamachi with yellowtail so good. Tossed the beef carpaccio in very good all was terrific. Cool atmosphere great food a must try. We will return. read more

Awesome dinner and drinks before evening meeting. Wonderful menu, outstanding Tuesday Mahi tacos! Ambience was casual, friendly, and a great place to get together with friends. read more

Great service. Super friendly people who are just happy to be here. Best bang for your buck in Davidson. Perfect combo for drinks and apps in the afternoon with king C next door. The oysters are hella fresh, practically still clapping, flatbreads are nutzo good, smoked trout dip is BBBBBanging. Yeah no complaints def go here for good food read more

It was our first time visiting Marlee Jean's and we were delighted we decided to stop in. Arrived in time to nab a cute window table by the raw bar. We ordered a Seafood tower and ahi tuna nachos and both were delicious. The seafood was amazingly fresh and being from the east coast of Florida, we know fresh seafood. We also enjoyed libations from King Canary which is the brewery connected to them. We can't wait to come back to this little gem of a raw bar! read more

Absolutely love this place. So far we have tried the oysters with crab, pimento, and panko. I also came back a second time and ordered the house pickles and potato wedges. Loved each time. I'll be back to try more. read more

Have been here 3 times and it's wonderful! While the oysters and ahi tuna are our favorites, we recently tried the lobster roll. Let me tell you it was the best lobstah roll we ever ate!! And the waitstaff and bartenders next door are well worth the trip! read more

We went about 8pm on a Monday night and this was our first visit with a party of four. Food was good and flavorful, casual atmosphere. Pay before you eat and they bring the food to the table. Order drinks from the bar and pay there. $$ read more

This is actually a restaurant. And a delightful one. While the menu is simple--shellfish raw or baked, Cuban sandwiches lobster roll, salad and such--what they do they do well and a family of four just off of 651 mile drive from New York found a port after a storm! We grabbed a reasonably priced bottle of white wine from the bar on-site which shares the same space. Service was spectacular and as befitting the South the waitstaff and chef are extremely friendly. Great fresh oysters--good selection, N. Carolina ones were great--and crabcakes stuffed with crab. It is also a cheerful space, with easy access to the downtown. High praise to Marlee Jean, and we look forward to going back there! read more

This place is exactly what Davidson needed. The food was delicious, oysters on the half and Ahi Wonton were both winners. Pair it with King Canary and an awesome back patio and you have a perfect place to hang out in town (even with a baby)! read more

Marlee Jean's Raw Bar & Kitchen - Oysters on the Half - Seafood Near Me - Davidson, North Carolina

Marlee Jean's shares space with King Canary Brewing. The menu is an offering a freshly prepared seafood, with both raw and cooked oysters served. I am an oyster rookie, so I ordered the chargrilled oysters from New Jersey. While I waited I was offered a fresh raw oyster from Massachusetts. It was all incredibly delicious. The beer was a dark ale and was equal to the meal. It was a lively crowd in a great mood. I especially enjoyed Keith, the one preparing oysters and other fresh seafood dishes. Well done. read more

The oysters were good. Otherwise the concept and shared arrangement with the adjacent brewery begs lots of questions. They'd do well to pay a hostess to direct people on how and where to order. It would've been amusing to watch had we not also walked in and been victim to the lack of service or explanation of how to receive any... read more

Me and my wife tried this new place last Sunday. We had the Davidson seafood tower. The seafood was great, they were out of lobster but made up for it with other delicious seafood. You order up front then they bring it out. Very nice out door area as well as nice inside sitting area. We plan to go back soon. read more