We had a wonderful dinner at The Optimist, start to finish. We brought our 8‑month‑old with us and were promptly seated, no stress at all. Our daughter spent the first few minutes waving at the staff, and they genuinely lit up every time -- such a warm, welcoming vibe right from the jump. Starters We kicked things off with the she‑crab soup, and that's when we knew the meal was going to be special. Tons of rich crab flavor and chunks of crab. The crispy shrimp toast was another hit -- crunchy, savory, and a great pairing with the soup. We also ordered the Baker's Dozen oysters, chef's selection. All 13 were fresh, clean, and briny in the best way. Next up: the Spanish octopus, and honestly... top five octopus dish we've had. Cooked perfectly -- tender, melt‑in‑your‑mouth texture. The salsa macha added just the right amount of heat, and the marcona almonds brought a great crunch with the cilantro, lime, and mint brightening everything up. What a beautifully composed dish. We finished with the Halibut and Lady peas. The Halibut was topped with lobster and served with a lobster butter sauce, chives, and capers. Rich, buttery, flaky, and perfectly cooked. The lady peas (fava beans, asparagus, and a generous mound of blue crab) were another standout. So much flavor, but everything complemented each other instead of competing. One of those sides you keep looking for more of when it's gone. --- Overall Every dish was thoughtful, balanced, and executed at a high level. Service was warm and genuinely kind -- especially with our little one. 10/10 would recommend read more

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We have been coming to the ford Frye restaurants for almost 10 years. They've had great service, great food and a great time. Over the years we've seen things decrease especially at the optimist. The hosts were great and they always give us great service but the food had been the lacking the last couple of services where the she crab soup lacked crab, the swordfish over cooked multiple times. This time in particular we ordered the whole lobster and was offered to have it taken out of the shell for us. HIGHLY DO NOT RECOMMEND. When we got the lobster we got a full tail but one claw and no knuckles. When we addressed with the server, she argued with us that that's how a lobster is and that there could be more meat hidden on the plate. It felt like she thought we were there to just get more food by saying "so what do you want, more meat" but if we had it in the shell we would have received our full portion. The manager on duty tried to make it up to us by comping the lobster but it was more than that. After going back and forth with the server we just wanted the check to leave. The manager on duty insisted to give us the lobster and take it home. The server wasn't very polite and argued with us about the lobster. I wish I remembered the servers name With that said, the amount of money we have spent there over the years, it's unfortunate that that will be our last time going to the Optimist. read more

I enjoyed this restaurant during my short trip to Atlanta so much that I had dinner here 2 nights in a row. It was fairly easy to make a reservation on Open Table but they also had seats available when I arrived. The first night I sat at a table by the oyster bar. The second night I sat at the bar in the main dining room and has great experiences both times. Despite it getting busy and full after I arrived, service was quick and attentive. The dining room is large so it can get pretty loud when it's busy. They have lot of seafood options to choose from so I sampled a few different items each time. It is definitely on my list of places to return to when I'm back in town. P.S They also have a small 3 hole mini golf outside to enjoy m. read more

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I had my birthday/graduation dinner here and everything from the atmosphere, food, and staff were amazing! The menu has the date stamped and if you're celebrating your birthday there is also birthday stamp! The staff was really patient with explaining the menu and answering any questions we had. All the food we had was delicious and can be great for sharing. Their complimentary salted butter bread was soooo good! I would come back just for the bread! This place is able to sit bigger groups but it is also a bit pricey so I would recommend coming here for celebrations or special occasions with a reservation. The parking at the restaurant is also valet only FYI. Overall, I highly recommend coming here for the vibes and fresh seafood! read more

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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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The Optimist has some of the freshest seafood I've ever had. I went for the first time to celebrate my husband's birthday and needless to say I will be back! We made reservations which I highly recommend. Our waiter was so amazing and he set the tone of our evening. The ambience and decor is perfect for date night, celebrations, or catching up with friends. For drinks I ordered the Second Sunrise (jasmine green tea, lemon hibiscus, soda) and it was SO refreshing! For my entree I ordered the Blackened Redfish (garlic confit beurre blanc) and the Braised Greens (bacon, potlikker, hondashi). The flavor of the food was delicious. The fish was fresh and buttery and the greens were a hit! I love that they included the potlikker, it gave them so much flavor. My husband ordered the Optimist Lobster Roll (maine style, house potato chips) and he loved it! 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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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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Beautiful atmosphere and lovely server. Came here for a very late Sunday lunch and happened to be there when they had oyster happy hour as well. The oysters were fresh but small but for $2 each it was good. Also tried their cod cheeks which was my favorite thing I had at this restaurant, and hamachi. For entrees the lobster was very good as well as the redfish was tender and delicious. Flounder was ok, kind of dry. For dessert I tried the peach sorbet and I love the thick texture and fruity peach flavor. They even gave us a souvenir keychain to take home. So cute! 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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This restaurant in my neighborhood so I've been meaning to check it out. The service was wonderful and all the staff were great. It's a perfect spot for girls night or even date night. I started off with the strawberries and beet salad. Very fresh, and a good way to elevate a beets dish! I also ordered the fried oysters which I had been waiting on! They were delicious and it was the perfect breading to oyster ratio which I loved. For the entree, I ordered the scallops which was the star of the show. So tender and juicy and it was accompanied by a hollandaise sauce that was perfection. Also a major shout out to those rolls! I was so excited when that I forgot to snap a pic, but omg they are so delicious and dangerous. I had to stop eating it to not spoil my appetite. read more

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I always enjoy my visits to the optimist. This particular time went for an early dinner with my husband to enjoy the oyster happy hour. We ordered a good amount of appetizers so for dinner I enjoyed an entree of just oysters and it was perfect. I highly recommend trying the shrimp if you're eyeing it as an appetizer. Our server was Raquel and she was amazing. Very sweet, knowledgeable of the menu and attentive to our needs. The optimist is what I'd consider fine dining. The atmosphere is very clean, and high quality. I love this restaurant and will definitely be back for more. 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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Total hit. There is a reason it's been around for 14 years! I would go back again and again. Definitely worth a visit. 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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Food was dreadful for the price of specially Most was not even fresh Very disappointed My husband even got sick and threw up from the old shrimp I never gut shrimp that didn't just perk off the shell Over seasoned to hide the texture and taste in my opinion obviously not fresh Definitely crossed off my list I am going to try another of ford fry restaurants to see if maybe Gus reputation is just not being upheld at this restaurant Environment was so so Not impressed And yes I have eaten in better restaurants since Was three and this place is dreadful read more

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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The redfish, Cod cheeks, and Haddock were all good. I was expecting more peas in the lady peas, but it seemed like quite a lot of beans too. The hamachi was decent, but not much quantity for its price. The Oysters were overall pretty good, but one of them seemed to be spoiled unfortunately. 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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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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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

I absolutely loved going to this place last night for my birthday! The service was wonderful! The drinks were perfectly made! The swordfish and the sauce it had were amazing! My partner loved the lobster and "chips"! Loved the butter rolls and fried oyster! We loved the ambiance! Will definitely return! read more

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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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Was disappointed in the scallop appetizer, it included only 2 scallops. $$$$ Over priced for what was served.

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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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

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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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

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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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

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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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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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

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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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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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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