The Optimist

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1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New York Area

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined today

   overall5food4service5ambience5

   Jonathon was our waiter, he was the best waiter we’ve ever had. Food was great, drinks were excellent.

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2. M

   Midtown999

   Atlanta Metro

   29 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   29 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   A solid place for excellent oysters. Fish too. Be aware, it's loud but until restaurants get away from that warehouse vibe, that's just gonna be the case.

   Report
3. s

   sunnyday

   New York Area

   7 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Never miss a visit to Atlanta without eating a meal at THE OPTIMIST….never disappoints

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4. DS

   DanielS

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 5 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Being a first time customer and entertaining a client I greatly appreciate how informative and helpful Matthew was. He was extremely friendly, made great suggestions, and sold your offerings. Thank you Matthew. Great food, great atmosphere. It was fun.

   Report
5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Cincinnati

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   From our hostess, Emily, to our server, Amanda, we had an outstanding experience. Food was sensational start to finish. Can’t wait to get back to The Optimist.

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6. KM

   KMB09

   Atlanta Metro

   6 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Food was spectacular. Our server, Tyson, was great. We will be back.

   Report
7. JF

   JillF

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Delicious food and great service. We celebrated our anniversary there and the waitress made it very special for us. Besides being informative when we have questions, she was very friendly and honest, gave us good recommendations. She even made a little card with flowers on a tray served with the ice cream we ordered for dessert. We enjoyed our dinner there. One downside is that, the area we was put in was busy and loud. It could have been more enjoyable if we got to sit in the front area where the oyster bar is, it was more calm and we didn't realize that until we were leaving.

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8. BD

   BrittanyD

   Atlanta Metro

   13 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   13 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall4food5service5ambience4

   It was at least an additional 15 minute wait past my reservation time. I didn’t appreciate that. But besides the extended wait, it was a pleasant experience. The food was delicious and the service was very attentive.

   Report
9. PP

   PamolaP

   Atlanta Metro

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Everything about the restaurant was perfect, however, the valet service was pathetic.

   Report
10. TT

    TaraT

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Had a fantastic dinner while visiting Atlanta this weekend. The decor at The Optimist was so inviting and the noise level was top notch. It’s a rare treat to be able to hear the other people you are dining with. They said the menu changes often but everything was very fresh and we all loved our meals!

    Report
11. AN

    AraN

    Atlanta Metro

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We enjoyed ourselves. We did have to wait to be seated even though we had a reservation, but we had a good table so no real complain there. Service was great, food was delicious and drinks were nice too. We went to celebrate a bday and they made it special.

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12. NA

    NormanA

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall3food5service2ambience2

    Rough service, great food. It was a fun energetic place.

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Out of towner, first time customer (highly recommended by locals). Just an amazing overall experience- ambiance, service, food, drinks. Loved it and will be back while I’m still in town.

    Report
14. ZS

    ZackS

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was amazing. I forget her name but our server was amazing, she went above and beyond. It was our honeymoon week and she gave us a special desert and drinks. Overall great experience will definitely be back.

    Report
15. TW

    TrimiciaW

    Atlanta Metro

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always a great experience at The Optimist. The food is amazing!

    Report
16. DR

    DesireeR

    Atlanta Metro

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was a restaurant that I had heard of for a very long time—always great things. Decided to have a nice Friday evening dinner and it delivered! From beginning to end the service and food was outstanding. I love that it’s a team effort and servers that aren’t even attending to your table come to clear plates and ask opinion of things ordered. To start we tried the seafood platter- the lump crab on the dish was next level! Also the oysters were very fresh and didn’t have a touch of sliminess or taste of salty ocean water. For dinner I had the lobster roll and it was great. For sides we tried the crispy potatoes and the hush puppies, The potatoes were ok but the hush puppies were delicious! Overall it was a great experience and we will be back.

    Report
17. JD

    JessiD

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We chose the Optimist to celebrate a few recent accomplishments and promotions between my partner and I and we were so impressed with the service and food! Our server Winnie made excellent suggestions and her descriptions of each food item guided us to the most spectacular dinner! We went with the Hamachi crudo, the Spanish octopus and had two rounds of oysters because they were soooo good. Definitely coming back for the oyster happy hour Winnie told us about. We went with the Monkfish and the Branzino and finished with the Cocunut cake. All of the dishes coursed out and perfectly balanced to make a splendid dinner experience! We loved it!

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18. M

    Meaghan

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Optimist is a great place to celebrate a special occasion. The service is always excellent and the food is great with interesting flavors. Our waitress Amanda went out of her way to make our visit extra special for our anniversary. Turkey one of the best restaurants in Atlanta.

    Report
19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had a few drink and favorite Plancha appetizer. Fem was our server and gave excellent service. The ambiance is always sexy at night.

    Report
20. MA

    MARILYND

    Los Angeles

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I am visiting from DC and didn't know where to go for a fabulous dining experience. I am SO GLAD that I found the Optimist! And I've told others already....The hosts were very polite and professional. Our server, ROBERT was amazing. He was knowledgeable about the dishes and his suggestions were delicious. Robert provided excellent service overall and knew how to read us as his customers, who were out having a great time.

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21. CB

    ChristineB

    Atlanta Metro

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always an amazing experience! The Optimist and other Ford fry restaurants are my favorite in Atlanta.

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    You can truly never go wrong with The Optimist. From the food (my fav is the shrimp a la plancha), to the drinks and atmosphere, it’s always worth a visit :)

    Report
23. AB

    AaleeahB

    Atlanta Metro

    10 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    Nice place, very upscale. Would’ve liked salmon to be on the menu. Winnie was an amazing host.

    Report
24. L

    Lizziebuck

    Atlanta Metro

    24 reviews

    5.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    OMG! The food is SO GOOD! We started with the Spanish octopus and smoked fish chowder; both were perfect! We then had the red fish and swordfish, and both dishes were amazing (I wanted to run my finger through the bowl to get every last taste). We also highly recommend the fried basmati rice. Great cocktails, too. The food was fantastic, but the service may have been better. Ask for BROOKE if you go; she was fun and efficient and knowledgeable.

    Report
25. J

    Jerald

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3

    Solid atmosphere, wonderful staff. Everyone is super helpful and tremendously attentive. My party enjoyed our food and our time!

    Report
26. BR

    BillR

    Atlanta Metro

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Outstanding service! Corkage is a little high; $20 would be more reasonable

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 13, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Oyster happy hour drinks and great friends. Was early, an in crowded corner by the oyster bar and perfect for our get together

    Report
28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Alabama

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great!! Food was delicious!!

    Report
29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Still the best seafood in Atl. Tried the oysters for the first time, our server was very knowledgeable at helping us pick them out.

    Report
30. TP

    TiffanyP

    Jacksonville

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious food! Very fresh and tasty seafood. Loved oysters, halibut and squid. Fresh rolls so good. Strawberry daiquiri sorbet made for a clean and refreshing finish. Erin was a wonderful server and made the experience very nice!

    Report
31. PW

    PWally

    Atlanta Metro

    35 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful experience from the food to the service!

    Report
32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience5

    It was cool

    Report
33. R

    Ramon

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food, better service and always a great and consistent experience.

    Report
34. TB

    TonyB

    Alabama

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 12, 2023

    overall2food5service1ambience4

    The food at the Optimist was superb from start to finish. However, the service was very disappointing. Granted, it was a Saturday night, with a full house. But one should expect a busy service on a weekend night at an elite restaurant and prepare accordingly. Over the course of our meal, our waiter forgot a starter and a glass of wine. In addition, the pours on the wine appeared somewhat uneven. By far the biggest issue, though, was the wait time between courses and the time it took for drinks to be served, in many cases close to 30 minutes. At the end of the meal, we had to cancel an order of oysters after waiting for at least twenty minutes, possibly longer. On the whole, I also found the menu to be fairly overpriced. One of my dining companions spent $38 on his main, which was surprisingly meager when it arrived: three small scallops. I paid a dollar more for a (wonderful) Halibut that came with various garnishes but no sides.

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was great! Had a great time surprising my in laws

    Report
36. a

    atlantafam

    Atlanta Metro

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent meal - definitely one of the best restaurants in Atlanta!

    Report
37. LT

    LT50

    Atlanta Metro

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was a great experience! Definitely would go again.

    Report
38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Charleston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Awesome experience. Top 3 restaurants I've been to in Atlanta. Amazing quality from drinks to appetizers!!

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39. SD

    SusanneD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious and interesting twist on food preparation. High quality food.

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40. MP

    MathieuP

    Atlanta Metro

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    My wife and I went to The Optimist for our 15th anniversary and we were not disappointed. Great sea food, amazing service [Thank you Craig Cu & Team], easy and smooth Valet parking and a really nice atmosphere. Definitely a place I would recommend. We loved it and had a memorable evening!

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