The Optimist

It's been years since I first visited the Optimist. I had a good experience and I'm not sure why it took me so long to return.I decided to return before a Yelp event nearby at Indiehouse. Valet was available. I was alone and sat at the bar. The staff acknowledged me immediately and brought out a complimentary roll that was mouthwatering. I started with the windjammer cocktail. It was bourbon based and contained flavors of passion fruit and macadamia. It was delicious! For an appetizer, I ordered the shrimp a la plancha. This is one of the best appetizers I've had in a while. It's shrimp in the most delicious cream sauce and comes with "sopping" toast. For my entree I got the redfish and side of basmati fried rice. The flavors were outstanding and I enjoyed everything. All of the staff that I encountered were amazing and the food was excellent. I am looking forward to returning soon.

This is one of the best meals I have had in a while. The service was stellar. We consulted with our server before we ordered anything. We decided to split everything we ordered so we could try more because it all looked amazing. Started off with a nicely mixed cocktail that wasn't too sweet (Make Me Feel Good). The bread was delivered to the table hot and fresh and light and fluffy. It was hard to stop at just one roll, but didn't want to fill up. The friend oysters were crispy but not greasy. The she crab soup was flavorful. The lobster roll was one of the best I have ever had and I cannot rave enough about the housemade chips. They had a bbq flavored seasoning on them. We finished with the blueberry pudding cake which came server recommended and it was delicious. The ambiance was hip and modern although it is very loud once the restaurant fills up. It was sometimes hard to hear what the server was telling us. This place is a must for your Atlanta restaurants to try list.

Double date night. Summer 2024.Arrived at reservation time. Place was packed and loud. Seated at table 15 min later. Main waiter slow to arrive. It's clear they are overwhelmed. Menu looks great. Creative, seafood, foodie vibe. Let me fast forward to the end: the bottom line is The Optimist is great if you like foodie seafood in Atlanta in posh decor with big crowd feel. What I can't get over 24 hours later is the disconnect between what they charge and what you get. We dropped $340 for four people (7 cocktails between us) and left HUNGRY. The table shared The Optimist sampler platter. At $64 I expected it to go along way but was really only sized for 3 people. The oysters were "half size" and the 3 dips came in the smallest mason jars you can imagine. Then paired with a handful of saltines that ran out. For entrees the four of us ordered two scallop entrees. 3 per plate, medium sized, and about ~8 of the smallest asparagus strands you've ever seen. That was $84 for 6 total scallops. WHERE IS THE FOOD?We skipped dessert and coffee and paid the $10 to the valet (fee + tip) to grab a bite on the way home. I am more than happy to drop a couple hundred bucks on a nice meal, this just felt like getting cheated. I realize prices the past 3 years are up everywhere but this sets a new bar and inconsistent with other nice restaurants I've experienced.

The food and service were amazing. Perfect temp, perfectly seasoned and portioned. The service was on point. We had a great time

Vibe, check. Interior, check. Service, check. Food? mediocre. I am greatful to have the opportunity to be treated here and have heard positive things about the optimist. However, the food lacked the wow factor for me. I tried the shrimp appetizer as recommended by the waiter. It was only fine. The scallops were my main meal and they were good but short of spectacular. In fact, I have definitely had much better at quire a few other places. Overall, the best thing was probably the large brioche bread slice and dipping it in the shrimp appetizer sauce as suggested by our waited. The shrimp itself didn't taste like much. My friend liked her drink but did not even eat all of her halibut. The sides were forgettable. I would probably not come back to visit. I have heard about the oysters being good, but Id have to consider making the trip.

The Optimist in Atlanta, Georgia, offers a seafood dining experience that is both exquisite and memorable. From the moment you step into the restaurant, the ambiance transports you to a coastal retreat with its nautical décor and relaxed yet upscale vibe.The menu showcases a variety of fresh, sustainably sourced seafood dishes that cater to diverse palates. Highlights include the perfectly grilled octopus, succulent lobster rolls, and the renowned she-crab soup, each dish meticulously prepared and beautifully presented. The raw bar is another standout feature, offering an impressive selection of oysters that are a must-try for any seafood enthusiast.

This is my second visit and second review of my favorite Atlanta restaurant. The O never disappoints. The people are just so nice and knowledgeable. The entire menu is full of all types of unique and staple dishes and most are farm to table or at least a result of these types of supplier relationships. The O is known for its seafood (mainly shellfish) but also has other unique fare. Do not let this place slip through the cracks. It is a must visit for locals and out of owners alike.

Loved this restaurant!! The drinks and food were all fantastic - I enjoyed the oysters, scallops (you only get three but I was already full from the other food so this worked out well), and chocolate cake with ice cream. Their dessert menu seems to change frequently, but all the options look amazing. Also, I agree with all the previous reviews - the bread is delicious.Our waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu and made some great recommendations. He was attentive and personable as well. The restaurant itself is spacious and has a nice ambience. Would definitely recommend to anyone who likes seafood!

Came here on a Monday and I was surprised how busy it was. We did not make reservations but we were able to get seated. I highly recommend making reservations if you come on a different day. We started with the Spanish Octopus and the Halibut Cheeks. My word, was the Octopus was good (a little spicy), but Halibut Cheeks was amazing!!! For dinner my husband ordered the Maine Lobster Roll and I ordered the Roasted Maine Lobster and a side of the Basmati Fried Rice. Both our meals were good but we could not stop talking about the Halibut Cheeks. It was delicious!

We've been here twice- once outside and the second inside. The second time we were there celebrating our wedding anniversary. The food is great, there have a nice variety and there's great seafood. The ambiance is very nice and isn't pretentious. Our server was nice and accommodating . They even gave us complimentary champagne and dessert because we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. Definitely recommend. We'll be back when we get the chance.