The Optimist sits on Howell Mill Road in West Midtown, centered on an oyster bar and a patio that includes a putting green — a playful touch in an otherwise polished seafood room. The menu leans on raw bar staples and coastal plates: oysters, a lobster roll, Spanish octopus, swordfish, hush puppies, and fingerling potatoes are among the dishes that keep coming up.
It's become something of a special-occasion destination, with regulars citing the quality of the seafood and the attentiveness of the staff, including servers known for small gestures on anniversary nights. That popularity comes with a tradeoff — wait times for a table are a recurring theme among diners, even as service and consistency draw praise.
It's become something of a special-occasion destination, with regulars citing the quality of the seafood and the attentiveness of the staff, including servers known for small gestures on anniversary nights. That popularity comes with a tradeoff — wait times for a table are a recurring theme among diners, even as service and consistency draw praise.