Atlanta Spotlight: The Optimist

The Optimist, a celebrated seafood restaurant by Chef Ford Fry in Atlanta, Georgia, is designed to transport diners to a sophisticated seaside fish camp experience, despite Atlanta being landlocked.

What Makes It Unique

• Atmosphere and Design: Housed in a beautifully renovated old ham-aging house on the Westside, the restaurant’s design, crafted by Smith Hanes, evokes a coastal feel with sleek white tile, floor-to-ceiling windows, reclaimed wood, and nautical accents (it’s named after a type of sailing dinghy). The ambiance is described as natural-chic, cozy, yet elevated and bustling.
• Seafood Focus: The Optimist is dedicated to serving high-quality, sustainable seafood sourced from top suppliers, featuring everything from East and West Coast oysters to whole roasted fish.
• Cooking Style: The menu focuses on classic preparation, notably utilizing a wood-burning oven for hickory-roasted fish and other main courses.
• The Oyster Bar: The adjoining Oyster Bar is a distinct, more casual, beach-shack inspired space with its own shaded patio, often featuring a popular happy hour.

History

• Founding: The Optimist was opened in the spring of 2012 by renowned Atlanta chef and restaurateur Ford Fry. The initial concept also included the Oyster Bar next door.
• Location: It’s situated in Atlanta’s Westside, a neighborhood that has re-emerged as a unique dining and shopping hot spot, repurposing historic industrial buildings.
• Accolades: Almost immediately after opening, The Optimist garnered significant national attention, including being named “Restaurant of the Year” by Esquire in 2012 and one of the “50 Best New Restaurants 2013” by Bon Appétit.

Highlight Menu Items

While the menu changes daily and seasonally based on the freshest catches, consistent favorites and highly praised items include:

• Oysters: A rotating, meticulously sourced selection of super fresh East and West Coast oysters from the raw bar.
• Hushpuppies: Often served “beignet style,” they are frequently cited as the best in Atlanta.
• Whole Roasted Fish: Typically roasted over hickory in the wood-burning oven (like the Roasted Flounder with pecan meunière).
• Lobster Roll: Served on a buttery roll with sweet, fleshy lobster lumps, often called the finest in Atlanta.
• GA Shrimp A La Plancha: A messy but highly recommended starter of griddled shrimp.
• Basmati Fried Rice: A popular side dish, sometimes featuring smoked fish and a curry accent, a play on the British dish kedgeree.

Customer Feedback

Customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, often highlighting:

• Exceptional Quality: The freshness and sustainability of the seafood are consistently praised.
• Ambiance: Diners love the beautiful, coastal, and lively atmosphere.
• Overall Experience: It is frequently cited as a top-tier seafood restaurant and a great choice for special occasions, date nights, and business lunches.
• Wait Times: Due to its immense popularity, reservations can be difficult to secure, especially on weekends, though dining at the oyster bar is a good alternative.

Significant Events

While specific major one-off events may not be widely publicized, The Optimist has regularly hosted popular themed events over the years, capitalizing on its coastal-camp vibe:

• Seasonal Boils: Events like the annual Crawfish & Shrimp Boil on the restaurant’s green, often featuring traditional fish fry and live music.
• Holiday/Themed Parties: Such as an “End of Summer Luau” with a traditional pig roast, oysters, and poke, or special menu events for holidays like Valentine’s Day.
• Large Private Events: The restaurant also accommodates significant private events, with one notable example being a 300-person “Under the Sea” themed corporate cocktail event.

Location and Contact Information