Food in my opinion, was excellent. I didn't have one thing that I wasn't happy with. The mescaline old fashioned wasn't on the menu, but if you ask for it, ye shall receive. Leighton, our server had excellent recommendations and was professional yet friendly.
Beautiful atmosphere and delicious food. All of the food wasn’t as flavorful but overall the food was great. The oysters were the best I’ve had. The mussels and the sauce with the subtle kick was so flavorful. The only thing that was disappointing were the sides. They were fresh but a little bland. I did get the hush puppies afterwards and it was good. It tasted sweet but not too sweet, light and airy. The service was also great from beginning to end.
Pro Tip: The entrance is located near the sign (pictured) and the parking lot. You cannot enter through the glass door at the corner.
Great restaurant option for seafood lovers. Very open space with high ceilings where you can see the kitchen, but the seating still feels very intimate and low-lit for dates.
They have a variety of plate sizes, offering ways to share food or eat your own dish solo. We had shrimp a la plancha as a starter (which also comes with a tasty bread/sauce combo), and I had the scallops for my main, which were great. The table bread is delicious and gloriously doused in butter. Fun drink options and an extensive wine list round everything out for a great night. Recommended.
I've been here quite a few times with friends. It's a nice seafood restaurant if you like variety and ambiance. It does get crowded on the weekends so I suggest you make a reservation. It was a party of three so we had a variety of dishes. The oysters was good and so was the cesar salad. I had the redfish. It was tender and cooked perfectly. All the food was good but the portion size was kinda small, especially for the scallops. You only get there. I feel like this isn't a restaurant that's objective is to satisfy not stuff you. The service was good and I was greeted soon as I walked in evnethough it was packed. Optimist is one of my top 5 seafood restaurants in Atl.
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They have valet right next to the restaurant when you're pull in the shared parking deck between The Optimist and Superica West Midtown, on Howell Mill road. You can text the valet to have your car ready by walking out. Paying and tipping can also be done on phone.
We had a reservation for my friends birthday. They have a menu with a Happy Birthday stamp on it for her, and she likes it a lot. The food and service is as good as always. We started dinner at 7. The light of the restaurant still well lit by then but they will dim it down as the time goes later into the night. We're good with the light, but I think it will cause visual issue for some people when reading menu. The ambience is good. A bit loud since the place is packed on a Friday night. We had to speak up a bit to hear each other.
We had:
+ Appetizer:
- Roasted oysters: it's really good and not in the menu but you can always order it.
- A dozen of raw oysters: Round Island and Bay Shores
- Blue crab claws: they're tiny but tasty.
- Pei mussels
- Whole Shrimp a la Plancha with big toasts
- Spicy kale salad
+ Entree:
- Roasted Maine lobster
- Whole flounder
+ Dessert: Sorbet of the moment, daiquiri
The portion is a bit small for every dish. But we had lots of appetizers so we left with full happy tummies. All in all, if you're into seafood and oysters, this place has solid quality. Highly recommended.
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I recently had the pleasure of dining at Optimist in Atlanta, GA, and let me tell you, it was an absolute treat! From the moment I walked in, I knew I was in for a fantastic dining experience.
First of all, the restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating options, making it a versatile choice for any occasion. Whether you prefer the cozy ambiance of the indoor dining area or the refreshing outdoor patio, Optimist has got you covered.
To kick off our evening, we ordered their signature margaritas, and they did not disappoint. These cocktails were expertly crafted, perfectly balanced, and incredibly tasty. They set the tone for a delightful meal ahead.
One thing that stood out right from the start was the warm, freshly baked bread that was served as an appetizer. It was so tempting that we couldn't resist indulging. The bread was soft, warm, and had a delightful crust - an excellent teaser of the culinary delights that awaited us.
For our main course, we decided to share the lobster and shrimp dish, and it was a decision we did not regret. The seafood was impeccably prepared, succulent, and bursting with flavor. The dish had a perfect balance of seasonings, and the portion size was just right. It left us craving for more.
Throughout our meal, our waiter provided exceptional service. They were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, making excellent recommendations. Their professionalism added to the overall enjoyment of our dining experience.
By the end of the evening, I was already planning my next visit to Optimist. It's safe to say that this restaurant has catapulted itself into my top three favorite dining spots in Atlanta. The combination of delectable food, outstanding service, and a welcoming atmosphere is truly hard to beat.
Optimist is undoubtedly the place to go if you're looking for a place to enjoy an incredible meal, fantastic drinks, and a memorable dining experience in Atlanta. I can't recommend it enough and can't wait to return for another delicious meal.
Went here on my birthday with my husband and everyone was so nice and they gave me a birthday dessert with a little cute bouquet!
I really recommend the shrimp a la plancha!! It was so amazing. Literally the best shrimp dish I had.🤌
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It's a crowded and busy space that is dimly lit and somehow still great for those trendy date nights.
The oysters and seafood here is amazing and I'll gladly come back next time I'm in town. The selection of oysters is great and I loved how there was a description of the tastes of each one. I ordered a handful of different types and they were all delicious in their own way. Probably some of the best oysters I've had recently.
Burger: Get
If you want to be filled up, this big burger also comes with frites which are just so crispy and crunchy yet still fluffy.
Potatoes: Get!
We double dipped on the potatoes because we didn't know the burger came with fries oops. But no regrets at all because these were some of the most fluffy and airy potatoes I've ever bit into. How can something so simple be cooked so well to perfection!?
Scallops: Get!!
These were just so butter and tender and again, cooked to perfection where was still so juicy and melted in your mouth.
Tuna Carpaccio: Skip
I love a good carpaccio and usually my favorite is salmon but this one felt very one dimensional to me. It did have a very clean and bright flavor but I personally wasn't feeling this dish to start.
The space inside is big but they really cram you in there. Some of the tables in their main room were like 1 feet apart so you're really feeling the people around you. Parking is very limited and we just parked at a nearby structure.
Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Value: 7/10
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As someone who has tried another establishment by Chef Ford Fry and was disappointed by the food, I was slightly apprehensive about coming to The Optimist. Well, happy to say I was pleasantly surprised.
Atmosphere - The Optimist provides valet parking next at the apartment building right net to the restaurant for $5. Looking at the restaurant from the outside, it appears small but inside it has a large and beautiful setting.
Appetizer/Bread - The she-crab soup rightfully earned its place as the most recommended appetizer on google reviews. The soup is decadent with cream, wine, and chucks of crab meat. The shrimp toast served with it is even better. The other appetizer I ordered was the GA peach salad I believe. This was a lot more disappointing than the soup unfortunately. The blue cheese and smell/taste salad dressing was very, very overpowering and the slices of peaches were so thin that it was not enjoyable as it could be. If you ever smelled nail varnish, I would say that's the closet thing that the salad dressing smells like; it's THAT pungent. The house made bread is a great combination between salty and sweet and almost has a biscuit-like texture. It is also very, very filling so beware!
Entrees - I had the normal lobster roll which has cold lobster filling served on a warm brioche bun and their house made chips. I honestly loved their potato chips more than I loved the lobster roll; the chips were BBQ but not ketchup-taste overpowering and had hints of cajun/old bay seasoning. The lobster roll is very decadent- the lobster filling is already very creamy with mayo and the brioche bun makes it almost slightly overpowering. It's great that they served it with a slice of lemon to bring the much needed acidity to brighten the flavors. The other entrée was the swordfish, which was also highly recommended. This might be personal but I'm personally not the biggest fan of swordfish- I felt that it lacks in the flavor department and needed more of the great-tasting sauce to compensate. I loved the lady peas the swordfish was served with however.
Service - I had a very lovely server who was very attentive and very sweet. Unfortunately, I don't remember her name but she made The Optimist experience much more enjoyable.
Recommendations/Overall - If I do come here again, I would try all the appetizers. It's more cost efficient and very filling.
This place never disappoints…from the raw oyster bar ( go between 3-5pm for half price oysters) then go sit in the dining room that gives you a full view of the kitchen…very elegant but rustic in the vibe. So many great seafood dishes but I will tell you the hamburger and greens we ordered were surprisingly phenomenal … you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
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