Bites Nearby: Marietta Fish Market

I can honestly say I know just the place to go when you are forced to find a good restaurant for a family event on a major holiday - that also happens to be a Sunday, say at 12:30 p.m.- when most of Marietta is just leaving church. I feel quite smug saying it now because I had a wonderful experience. From finding a convenient parking place to navigating the menu, I liked just about everything about the Marietta Fish Market. And I wasn’t expecting to. It was Father’s Day (I am divorced, my Dad died three years ago and I was meeting my sister). It was close to 100 degrees out. The parking lot looked very crowded. I wasn’t even really starving. Let’s just say I didn’t have the proper attitude to enjoy a good meal. Now that I’ve made clear what my personal obstacles were and how powerfully they were dominating the day, it was pretty amazing to me to have a dining experience that could change it.

Located on Highway 5 between Chastain Road and Bells Ferry Road, Marietta Fish Market is a wonderful collage of color, sights, sounds, aromas and tastes. Like its sister restaurants – Marietta Diner, Pasta Bella, Cherokee Cattle Co. – the décor perfectly fits the food. The restaurant has a wide-open feel, tile floors, lots of space and light, bright colors. Fresh fish is displayed on ice and somehow look almost as appealing as the gorgeous cakes and pastries you pass as you walk in. You know immediately you are about to enjoy yourself, the food and the atmosphere. And I really needed that feeling on Sunday!

The Food:  I have never seen so many combinations of broiled, fried and grilled seafood combinations on one menu. The prices were very reasonable. For example, I got one of the daily specials for $14.95, the Grilled Grouper and Grilled Jumbo Shrimp. Both were perfectly seasoned, the fish was hot and flaky, the shrimp moist and tender. My meal came with 2 sides: I chose collards and a rice pilaf. They were delicious choices. The collards were the kind with a lot of seasoning and a vinegar kick. Also on my plate were sautéed yellow squash, zucchini and pepper slices that were supposed to be a garnish – they were delicious and should be ordered as a side! Dinner Entrees start at about $10 and top out at $28.95. Lighter fare includes a seemingly infinite number of awesome-looking salads, sandwiches and steaks. Our server was friendly, made great suggestions and made sure we ran out of nothing.

Suggestions to try at this totally yummy restaurant include:

APPETIZERS:

Cold Combo  $7.45  2 Clams 2 Shrimp & 2 Oysters

Oysters Rockefeller (Hot)  $7.95 Spinach, Anchovies, Parmesan. Cheese, Bread Crumbs, Herbs and Fennel Spice

THE BREAD: If you like good bread, you’ll love the fresh warm bread served in baskets with real butter. It is almost sweet, doughy and melts in your mouth.

SOUPS AND SALADS:

Seafood Bisque   $3.25 Cup,  $4.45 Bowl. You MUST try this!  It is really rich and is the meatiest bisique I’ve ever had in a restaurant.

Seafood Salad   $9.95  Calamari, Shrimp, Scallops, Crab Meat & Octopus Mixed Together with Special Herbs, Olive Oils & Vinegar over Mixed Greens

SANDWICHES: Fried Shrimp Po’ Boy - $7.95 Served on a Toasted Hoagie with Lettuce, Tomato, French Fries and Cole Slaw. Delicious.

LUNCH ENTREES: Fried Fillet of Tilapia $8.95  Served with Hush Puppies, Cole Slaw & Choice of French Fries, Baked Potato, Rice Pilaf or Vegetable of the day. Add a Homemade Soup or Salad for $1.00

A Land Lovers Menu inlcudes chicken, Angus beef ribeye steaks and chopped steak choices. 

Note: If you are a Lobster lover, you know  “normal” menu prices start at about $25 and go up, up, up. You will be delighted to see a lobster tail dinner (a smaller portion of a larger entrée choice) on the menu for $14.95.

Desserts: In a word, magnificent. If you have ever seen the heavenly creations at Marietta Diner, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, it would be worth a trip to this restaurant just for the beautiful-and mouthwatering-cakes, pies and pastries. May be ordered whole or by the slice.

The Drinks: Beer and wine are available. A list of fruity/specialty drinks are best described by a friendly, knowledgeable server.

Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 11 a.m.  - 10 p.m.; Friday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

3185 Canton Road Marietta GA 30066 Tel: 770-218-FISH   For online menus, gift cards, group reservations and catering information go to www.mariettafishmarket.net