Bonefish Grill

[Turbodog]

I ran across a document the other day that was a recorded lease between a local developer and Bonefish Grill, for a restaurant space containing reoughly 5,800 square feet, in the River Highlands project off of the west side of Hwy 190, south of Covington (just south of the Abita River).

Obviously this facility has not been built yet. But, it does look like a Bonefish Grill will be coming to the area sometime in the future.

[EatinAintCheatin]

Am I mistaken or is there a Bonefish Grill in Panama City? I remember going to a place with that name. It was a hugh place with an extensive menu. Kind of reminded me of Papadeaux's.

[GuySajerForgottenSoldier]

If it's the same group, that's part of a chain in NVirginia called great american restaurants, I think. One is called Coastal Flats, one is Sweetwater Tavern (they make their own beer, TD, although it ain't much), one Carlyle Grand.
I have been taken (did not choose to go) there twice for a business function. Bonefish was terrible, although most places are for this sort of thing (the typical bland chicken veggie pasta meal), so I guess I can't exactly tell you what you are in for if it's the same group.
Sweetwater is ok, and I have enjoyed several meals at CG. I am comfortable saying these are the best of the chain places in NVA. Maybe comparable to Zea's I guess, but probably not even as good as that.

[The Bear]

I believe that Bonefish Grill is with the Outback group unless something has changed recently. They have one in Baton Rouge and one in Lafayette

From wikipedia

"Bonefish Grill is a seafood restaurant chain that is owned and operated by OSI Restaurant Partners. The chain's first location opened its doors in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2000. It is famous for it's "Bang Bang Shrimp", a signature appetizer. There are currently over 100 Bonefish Grill locations in 27 states across the United States."

[GuySajerForgottenSoldier]

I believe that Bonefish Grill is with the Outback group unless something has changed recently. They have one in Baton Rouge and one in Lafayette

From wikipedia

"Bonefish Grill is a seafood restaurant chain that is owned and operated by OSI Restaurant Partners. The chain's first location opened its doors in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2000. It is famous for it's "Bang Bang Shrimp", a signature appetizer. There are currently over 100 Bonefish Grill locations in 27 states across the United States."

Whoops, guess I'm wrong. They are up here, though, and I think the < Zea's comparison still works.

[Jesse]

I've been to one in Florida and was not impressed. It's kinda a Bravo equivalent, like trying to do fancy seafood like Bravo tries to do fancy Italian. I think the not as good as Zea's comment is accurate.

[Duke]

I've been to several Bonefish Grills, mostly as part of a former life.

Of the big seafood chains, I think Bonefish is the best there is. Not that it's excellent seafood as one might find in a locally-owned coastal place. But when you're stuck in Atlanta or Dallas and you want a dependable place to get adequate seafood (as opposed to, oh, The Dead Lobster), it certainly serves as a much preferable stand-in.

[expatorleanian]

We went to the Bonefish Grill in North Jackson, MS, and it was terrible. Not a place I would be interested in going to twice.

[UptownKevin]

Bonefish was started right here in St. Petersburg, Florida and is indeed a part of the Outback empire. It's the quintessential seafood chain restaurant, but the quality is pretty decent. In this area, it's the go-to restaurant for many people when looking for seafood (I live in the chain restaurant capital of the world).

While the fish may be fresh, it's pretty boring. However, the appetizers are pretty damn good. My wife and I will occasionally go there to sit at the bar, split a bottle of wine and make a meal of the apps. Definitely nothing groundbreaking, but we take what we can get.

-Kevin

p.s. I actually mentioned Bonefish in the NY times interview a couple years back -http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/05/07/us/07tampa.html

[Titchou]

I agree that the Bang Bang Shrimp are good. Nothing else there has ever cranked my tractor though.

[CamillaCute]

As someone who doesn't go to chain restaurants very often, I have to say that Bonefish is pretty good. I've been to the one in Mobile and in Montgomery and both times enjoyed the Rainbow Trout with pistachios and parmesan, the Bang-Bang shrimp, as well as several of the sauces one can choose to go on fish. Again, for a chain, it's pretty good.

That said, I'd much rather support local restauranteurs.