Recommended dishes: George's Bay Scallops, Fish and Chips, Maine Style Lobster Roll and Fries, She Crab Soup, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Corn Milk Hush Puppies, Crispy Fried Oysters, Oyster Bar, Spanish Octopus, Branzino, Roasted Maine Lobster, Redfish, Seafood, Sauce, She Crab, Crab Soup, Grouper, Shrimp a La Plancha, Burger, Fresh Oysters
Lanie Griswold
What a fun night. The Optimist is a wonderful place to celebrate an event. The staff helped surprise the award winner with champagne and a congratulations sign on the table, and continued making his night throughout dinner. Started with raw oysters and octopus. Loved the spicy honey on the octopus. Shared the apple and blue cheese salad with a friend and another had the she-crab soup. Then entrees, a lobster roll, mahi-mahi and halibut. Sides were cauliflower and hush puppies. All plates were clean. I do wish my mahi-mahi had a bit more flavor. The best part was dessert. The chocolate pudding cake was to die for. The staff out did themselves with the presentation.Kid-friendliness: They have a small outdoor putting green for kids.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Maine Style Lobster Roll and Fries, She Crab Soup, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Corn Milk Hush Puppies, Oyster Bar, Spanish Octopus
Ryan Shaw
Great experience! Went on a Saturday night. My date and I were seated and served quickly. The food was great!Parking: It is valet parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Seafood, Shrimp a La Plancha
Chelsea Griffin
Excellent!!! This place is fantastic! Great atmosphere.....very different. The food was incredible and our server was just as nice as can be. I can't recommend this place enough. The swordfish was amazing....if you don't like seafood, my friend had the burger and he said that even that was delicious. The fries are hand cut!!! Yum!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Corn Milk Hush Puppies, Seafood, Burger
Tim t
Difficult to put into words how perfect this experience was.As soon as I arrived, there was a valet waiting for me to get out of the car. Took my phone number, quickly and efficiently explained the valet system, and my car was gone, so fast.Was greeted by two lovely hostesses. I sat myself at the oyster bar. Jacob was my most attentive server, quickly got my drink order, and away we went with the Oyster Happy Hour.Drinks were delicious, and oysters were fresh! Never had a need for anything as Jacob had everything streamlined.When it was time to get my car back from the valet, it was as simple as pressing a button. My vehicle was summoned instantaneously, I couldn't believe how fast my car appeared before my eyes.100/10That's right, 100 out of 10 would recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Seafood
K H
Dinner here is a great experience. It’s very beautiful all around. The food was prepared very well. Service was great as well.
Mark Moss
Absolutely fantastic! All of the starters and entrees were beautifully prepared, with a wonderful range of flavors. The service was also friendly and welcoming.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Marc Teo
Good food…
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Oyster Bar, Spanish Octopus, Seafood
Rachael Miller
Exquisite food and luxurious environment. Went here with family for my birthday. We all had an exceptional time here! Great special occasion spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: George's Bay Scallops, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Oyster Bar, Seafood
Nicole Ford
Finally! When I first heard about this amazing place it was Pre-Covid and unfortunately they were closed. But now, the doors are wide open, the food is fresh, and they have the best staff ever. If you want a 5-Star experience ask to be seated in Rob's section. Afterwards, go with his food suggestions. The Optimist will not disappoint.Parking: You have several parking options.Kid-friendliness: The patio seating gives you the space to enjoy a wonderful meal and watch your children have fun playing miniature or just skipping around.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: George's Bay Scallops, She Crab Soup, Corn Milk Hush Puppies
Recommended dishes: She Crab Soup, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Crispy Fried Oysters, Redfish, Seafood, Fresh Oysters
A R
My second time to the optimist, and they delivered once again. The shrimp la plancha is an absolute mainstay. Mainstay course was the Mahi with duck confit.Noise level a little high. They could probably use some noise dampening pieces in the ceiling. The food was excellent! IThe service was wonderful. Our waiter (Andy) was so attentive and accommodating.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Todd Smith
Lovely experience all around!Thanks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Scott Eddy
Amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Esme Ünsal
Fresh seafood, however they didn't have lobster mac n cheese and their main lobster dish that day. Was disappointed :( Service was very friendly. Amanda and Rob were both amazing.It was cold inside though, we had to wear our jackets. The chairs were uncomfortable. The noise level too high, it was hard to sit across from each other and speak. The meals were delicious though. Had roasted oysters and grilled calamari as appetizers, lobster roll as an entree and the blueberry bread pudding with vanille ice cream as a dessert. Amazing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Maine Style Lobster Roll and Fries, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Spanish Octopus
Always 5 stars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: George's Bay Scallops, Fish and Chips, Maine Style Lobster Roll and Fries, She Crab Soup, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Corn Milk Hush Puppies, Crispy Fried Oysters, Oyster Bar, Spanish Octopus, Branzino, Roasted Maine Lobster, Redfish, Seafood, Sauce, She Crab, Crab Soup, Grouper, Shrimp a La Plancha, Burger, Fresh Oysters
What a fun night. The Optimist is a wonderful place to celebrate an event. The staff helped surprise the award winner with champagne and a congratulations sign on the table, and continued making his night throughout dinner. Started with raw oysters and octopus. Loved the spicy honey on the octopus. Shared the apple and blue cheese salad with a friend and another had the she-crab soup. Then entrees, a lobster roll, mahi-mahi and halibut. Sides were cauliflower and hush puppies. All plates were clean. I do wish my mahi-mahi had a bit more flavor. The best part was dessert. The chocolate pudding cake was to die for. The staff out did themselves with the presentation.Kid-friendliness: They have a small outdoor putting green for kids.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Maine Style Lobster Roll and Fries, She Crab Soup, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Corn Milk Hush Puppies, Oyster Bar, Spanish Octopus
Great experience! Went on a Saturday night. My date and I were seated and served quickly. The food was great!Parking: It is valet parking.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Seafood, Shrimp a La Plancha
Excellent!!! This place is fantastic! Great atmosphere.....very different. The food was incredible and our server was just as nice as can be. I can't recommend this place enough. The swordfish was amazing....if you don't like seafood, my friend had the burger and he said that even that was delicious. The fries are hand cut!!! Yum!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Corn Milk Hush Puppies, Seafood, Burger
Difficult to put into words how perfect this experience was.As soon as I arrived, there was a valet waiting for me to get out of the car. Took my phone number, quickly and efficiently explained the valet system, and my car was gone, so fast.Was greeted by two lovely hostesses. I sat myself at the oyster bar. Jacob was my most attentive server, quickly got my drink order, and away we went with the Oyster Happy Hour.Drinks were delicious, and oysters were fresh! Never had a need for anything as Jacob had everything streamlined.When it was time to get my car back from the valet, it was as simple as pressing a button. My vehicle was summoned instantaneously, I couldn't believe how fast my car appeared before my eyes.100/10That's right, 100 out of 10 would recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Seafood
Dinner here is a great experience. It’s very beautiful all around. The food was prepared very well. Service was great as well.
Absolutely fantastic! All of the starters and entrees were beautifully prepared, with a wonderful range of flavors. The service was also friendly and welcoming.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Seafood
Good food…
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Oyster Bar, Spanish Octopus, Seafood
Exquisite food and luxurious environment. Went here with family for my birthday. We all had an exceptional time here! Great special occasion spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: George's Bay Scallops, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Oyster Bar, Seafood
Finally! When I first heard about this amazing place it was Pre-Covid and unfortunately they were closed. But now, the doors are wide open, the food is fresh, and they have the best staff ever. If you want a 5-Star experience ask to be seated in Rob's section. Afterwards, go with his food suggestions. The Optimist will not disappoint.Parking: You have several parking options.Kid-friendliness: The patio seating gives you the space to enjoy a wonderful meal and watch your children have fun playing miniature or just skipping around.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: George's Bay Scallops, She Crab Soup, Corn Milk Hush Puppies
Restaurantji Recommends
All I can say is EXCELLENT food and service ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: She Crab Soup, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Crispy Fried Oysters, Redfish, Seafood, Fresh Oysters
My second time to the optimist, and they delivered once again. The shrimp la plancha is an absolute mainstay. Mainstay course was the Mahi with duck confit.Noise level a little high. They could probably use some noise dampening pieces in the ceiling. The food was excellent! IThe service was wonderful. Our waiter (Andy) was so attentive and accommodating.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lovely experience all around!Thanks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Fresh seafood, however they didn't have lobster mac n cheese and their main lobster dish that day. Was disappointed :( Service was very friendly. Amanda and Rob were both amazing.It was cold inside though, we had to wear our jackets. The chairs were uncomfortable. The noise level too high, it was hard to sit across from each other and speak. The meals were delicious though. Had roasted oysters and grilled calamari as appetizers, lobster roll as an entree and the blueberry bread pudding with vanille ice cream as a dessert. Amazing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Maine Style Lobster Roll and Fries, Raw Oysters on the Half Shell, Spanish Octopus