Bonefish Grill is very good

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Locations

My GF and I were going to see a movie, but we wanted to go get something to eat first. We drove around for a bit, and the usual suspects popped up(Applebee's, Olive Garden, etc). We decided to at least look at the menu of this place called Bonefish Grill. It IS more expensive than Olive Garden or Applebee's, but only by about 5-8 bucks. An entrée ranges from 12-20 dollars, but the quality of food is 10x what you'll find somewhere else for that price.

The wait staff was some of the best I've seen, and our waiter appeared like he actually enjoyed his job and not just working for a tip. He was able to give suggestions at the blink of an eye and was confident and doing so. I had a draft beer that I was able to take outside while we waited 30 minutes for our table. After being seated the waiter was there immediately to get drink orders. They have a fairly nice Martini list and decent wine list, so I got a drink to come before my salad. Their Apple Martini was one of the better ones I've ever had, although the price(7 bucks) was a bit much, but to be expected. The house salad was incredible with danish bleu cheese crumbles, and oil and vinegar as the dressing.

I am a big fan of seafood, but they offer a much more sophisticated fare than the typical fried food or platters experience. The waiter sold me on the Chilean Sea Bass, topped with a Lobster Thermidor sauce. It was simply incredible. Excellent texture, taste, and the sauce complimented it very well. I had the Sea Bass with a glass of Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, and their wine prices were fairly decent(not the total rip off many places are). The only slight grievance I could mention was that their bar was very crowded, and that drink orders could be a tad slow(not as slow as 99% of other places), but slow for an establishment this impressive. Only negative thing I could say about the food, was that my Lobster Thermidor sauce didn't have the most tender Lobster, but that didn't effect the taste, but just the texture.

Pricing was very decent, because the quality and taste of the food was MUCH better than any chain I've been to. My GF was able to eat for just 9 dollars, because she ordered a HUGE appetizer of shrimp that was cooked with a Lime Tomato Garlic sauce and Feta cheese. It was extremely tasty as well, and was very enjoyable. Without any alcoholic drinks it is very possible to eat for under 40 dollars and have an incredible meal and experience. If you have a location in your area, and you like seafood and a good martini, then I suggest you try check place out. It was incredible for the price.
 

nickdakick

Platinum Member
Jun 27, 2000
2,484
0
0
Now that's what I call good dining. Damn now I'm hungry.... away to fridge

After checking the link maybe it's a little bit far away for me :laugh:
 

imported_Strang

Platinum Member
Jan 8, 2001
2,177
0
0
They just opened a Bonefish Grill by where I work. I haven't been there yet due to my gf hating seafood (to the point where I almost can't handle the smell myself, heh), but I am curious. Plus they have a ceiling fan mounted outside the building, so how can you go wrong? :confused:

And now you've made me hungry. :(
 

CtK

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2001
5,135
3
81
gonna take me girl there saturday nite b4 we go see The Producers :)
 

slycat

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2001
5,656
0
0
wtf..none in the west side of country..not even one in the middle.
maybe i should inquire about franchise.

uhm...ok..seattle.

kinda in the same league as cheesecake factory.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
79,006
430
136
Great review, thanks!

I might visit Birmingham this summer, how far is Hoover from downtown B'ham?
 

Carbo

Diamond Member
Aug 6, 2000
5,275
11
81
Run of the mill, chain restaurant quality. Gimmicky and cliche. Certainly not worth a thirty minute wait. The one by me has been opened two months. It'll never see 2005.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
That's the one on the 150 right? We went once. It was cheap, which was good, but some things I didn't like:

1) Cheap means small portions
2) ALL THE BLOODY KIDS
3) Manager likes to walk around tables and bug people. I hate that crap. I kept my eyes averted and we were lucky enough to avoid him, but one sorry family had to entertain this little bastard for like 5 minutes straight. They were RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of dinner and this buggar comes over and starts talking to them. At first I thought that he must have been an annoying friend and then when I saw it was the manager I actually left a note on their behalf on the comment card.

Anyway I'd go again, but not in a huge rush to!

Mrsskoorb was very impressed with our waitress, so I guess the customer service there may in fact be consistently good.

I enjoyed the big fish tank watching the fish while I waited.
I might visit Birmingham this summer, how far is Hoover from downtown B'ham?
10 miles or so, but really it's just a hop on the highway and other than the fact that you're not longer in the ghetto you can barely tell you've left city, since every exit between the two has a lot of places to buy things, gas, shopping centers, etc.
 

UNCjigga

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
25,570
10,253
136
Never heard of it...but there's one in Matthews...I'll have to check it out sometime...
 

monk3y

Lifer
Jun 12, 2001
12,699
0
76
Oh I went there about a month ago. AMAZING food. I got Swordfish if I remember correctly. My gf got Rainbow Trout, both dishes were REALLY good.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Originally posted by: InstincT
Oh I went there about a month ago. AMAZING food. I got Swordfish if I remember correctly. My gf got Rainbow Trout, both dishes were REALLY good.
pics
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: Carbo
Run of the mill, chain restaurant quality. Gimmicky and cliche. Certainly not worth a thirty minute wait. The one by me has been opened two months. It'll never see 2005.

LOL. Right bud, that's why the original one was opened in 2000, and in 2004 they have about 30 locations and expanding more each quarter.
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: Skoorb
That's the one on the 150 right? We went once. It was cheap, which was good, but some things I didn't like:

1) Cheap means small portions
2) ALL THE BLOODY KIDS
3) Manager likes to walk around tables and bug people. I hate that crap. I kept my eyes averted and we were lucky enough to avoid him, but one sorry family had to entertain this little bastard for like 5 minutes straight. They were RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of dinner and this buggar comes over and starts talking to them. At first I thought that he must have been an annoying friend and then when I saw it was the manager I actually left a note on their behalf on the comment card.

Anyway I'd go again, but not in a huge rush to!

Mrsskoorb was very impressed with our waitress, so I guess the customer service there may in fact be consistently good.

I enjoyed the big fish tank watching the fish while I waited.
I might visit Birmingham this summer, how far is Hoover from downtown B'ham?
10 miles or so, but really it's just a hop on the highway and other than the fact that you're not longer in the ghetto you can barely tell you've left city, since every exit between the two has a lot of places to buy things, gas, shopping centers, etc.

1. What did you get? With the salad, side item, and then the Sea Bass I took home at least 1/2 of the entire plate. My portion was pretty decent.
2. I got lucky then, and I agree that kids fvck up a good dining experience. Maybe because it was near 8 I got lucky.
3. Lucky not to get that either, but our Waiter was awesome with his knowledge of the food and drink lists.
 

Excelsior

Lifer
May 30, 2002
19,047
18
81
Originally posted by: Jigga
Never heard of it...but there's one in Matthews...I'll have to check it out sometime...

Yeah..been by there a bit, but never checked it out. Maybe I will.
 

compudog

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2001
5,782
0
71
Looks like one is coming soon to my *area* (not exactly close but may be worth the 90 minute drive) I like to try new places. I have bookmarked the site. Thanks Mill


Oops I see there is one in Matthews, NC. My company has a production facility in Marshville (the Hometown of Randy Travis) and I will be in the area again before the summer is out.
 

Carbo

Diamond Member
Aug 6, 2000
5,275
11
81
Originally posted by: Mill
Originally posted by: Carbo
Run of the mill, chain restaurant quality. Gimmicky and cliche. Certainly not worth a thirty minute wait. The one by me has been opened two months. It'll never see 2005.

LOL. Right bud, that's why the original one was opened in 2000, and in 2004 they have about 30 locations and expanding more each quarter.
Thirty locations in a four year period is nothing to write home about, bud. In fact, in this day and age it's down right embarrasing. That crap may play in the midwest where the only fresh fish are found in elementary school aquariums. But, here in south Florida where real, authentic seafood can be had on most every street corner, Bonehead Grill is getting a whuppin'.
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: Carbo
Originally posted by: Mill
Originally posted by: Carbo
Run of the mill, chain restaurant quality. Gimmicky and cliche. Certainly not worth a thirty minute wait. The one by me has been opened two months. It'll never see 2005.

LOL. Right bud, that's why the original one was opened in 2000, and in 2004 they have about 30 locations and expanding more each quarter.
Thirty locations in a four year period is nothing to write home about, bud. In fact, in this day and age it's down right embarrasing. That crap may play in the midwest where the only fresh fish are found in elementary school aquariums. But, here in south Florida where real, authentic seafood can be had on most every street corner, Bonehead Grill is getting a whuppin'.

We're not talking about McDonald's here, and I don't give a fvck where you live. At all. South Florida is a cesspool with people who have a chip on their shoulder. You don't get any better food than I get 4 hours from the Gulf, partner. 30 restaurants of a high quality chain is VERY significant, but who gives a damn about South Florida? Their OL in Tampa/St. Pete is fine, but you seem to think they should care about you as an individual. You're a useless whore on an internet messageboard with a chip on your solider. You're the prototypical person who thinks they have inside knowledge and more refined tastes, when in reality you like the BK fish sandwich more. Who cares? Why am I even wasting my time responding to you? I've seen you crap and troll in threads for a good while, but you sort of flew under my radar. Get a life!
 

erikistired

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2000
9,739
0
0
Originally posted by: Carbo
Originally posted by: Mill
Originally posted by: Carbo
Run of the mill, chain restaurant quality. Gimmicky and cliche. Certainly not worth a thirty minute wait. The one by me has been opened two months. It'll never see 2005.

LOL. Right bud, that's why the original one was opened in 2000, and in 2004 they have about 30 locations and expanding more each quarter.
Thirty locations in a four year period is nothing to write home about, bud. In fact, in this day and age it's down right embarrasing. That crap may play in the midwest where the only fresh fish are found in elementary school aquariums. But, here in south Florida where real, authentic seafood can be had on most every street corner, Bonehead Grill is getting a whuppin'.

are you retarded? 30 resteraunts in 4 years is nothing to write home about? in this day and age when the competition is so high? you can go to 20 resteraunts on one street here, and if they are expanding and not closing i'd say they are doing quite well.

not everyone lives in south florida, so why would i care what you have there? i'm sure if they for some reason don't make it there they can open one up somewhere else and do fine.
 

Originally posted by: Carbo
Originally posted by: Mill
Originally posted by: Carbo
Run of the mill, chain restaurant quality. Gimmicky and cliche. Certainly not worth a thirty minute wait. The one by me has been opened two months. It'll never see 2005.

LOL. Right bud, that's why the original one was opened in 2000, and in 2004 they have about 30 locations and expanding more each quarter.
Thirty locations in a four year period is nothing to write home about, bud. In fact, in this day and age it's down right embarrasing. That crap may play in the midwest where the only fresh fish are found in elementary school aquariums. But, here in south Florida where real, authentic seafood can be had on most every street corner, Bonehead Grill is getting a whuppin'.
If expanding your business 3000% in 4 years is EMBARRASSING, please, embarrass me.
I really can't believe you made such a boneheaded statement such as that.

So what is success? Having a monopoly within 3 months?
 

Azraele

Elite Member
Nov 5, 2000
16,524
29
91
According to the site, they're opening up one near where I work. Maybe I can check it out after it opens.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
Originally posted by: Carbo
Originally posted by: Mill
Originally posted by: Carbo
Run of the mill, chain restaurant quality. Gimmicky and cliche. Certainly not worth a thirty minute wait. The one by me has been opened two months. It'll never see 2005.

LOL. Right bud, that's why the original one was opened in 2000, and in 2004 they have about 30 locations and expanding more each quarter.
Thirty locations in a four year period is nothing to write home about, bud. In fact, in this day and age it's down right embarrasing. That crap may play in the midwest where the only fresh fish are found in elementary school aquariums. But, here in south Florida where real, authentic seafood can be had on most every street corner, Bonehead Grill is getting a whuppin'.
Uh.....

/hands over the coffee IV

Here. Wake up.
 
May 31, 2001
15,326
2
0
Thanks for the write-up, Mill. I might get a chance to check them out if I visit my sister, brother-in-law, and nephews in Virginia. I'm always interested in hearing about good dining places, as there is such a dearth of them where I live.
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
Interesting. Nice review, Mill. I'm heading up to Seattle this weekend, and I'll try to check it out if I can.

Speaking of seafood chains that have gone big recently, I'd like to see how Bonefish stacks up against McCormick and Schmick's, Portland's hometown kinda-upscale seafood restaurant chain that has really grown up in the past few years.
btw, anyone visiting Portland must stop by
Jake's.