The Optimist, Fish Camp & Oyster Bar

Drawing on seafood dishes from North to South and East to West coast, Ford Fry's ode to seafood restaurant is making big waves.  Focused on using sustainable fish and reinterpreting classics such as hush puppies and lobster rolls, this restaurant is far from a "fish camp".  With a fresh daily West and East coast oyster selection, we had to try both which consisted of the Hammerslay Inlet, WA oysters as well as the Pleasant Bay, MA oysters.  We next moved to their vast list of starters selecting the Bloomsdale Spinach salad, Frothy She-Crab Soup with Shrimp Toast, and the Spicy Charred Spanish Octopus done with a bone marrow aioli, potato crouton, gremolata, and beef jus.

For the main course we selected two of the wood hearth roasted fish: the Red Porgy with Jerusalem artichoke, confit garlic, and pancetta vinaigrette and the Duck Fat Poached Swordfish with baked white bean and duck leg ragout and a garlic thyme relish.  They have a great list of sides to accompany, we having selected the Bok Choy with ginger and pickled peppers and the Basmati "Fried Rice" with smoked fish, curry, peanuts, and egg.

For dessert we selected the cheesecake and of course had to try their version of Key Lime Pie.  The wine list was extensive without being overwhelming, some great approachable wines listed.  I definitely recommend visiting one of Ford Fry's concepts on your next visit to Atlanta, they are sure to not disappoint.