I don’t care if a restaurant is locally owned or part of a chain. Both offer local employment opportunities. What I care most about is the quality of the food and how it tastes.
My dining experience at the Bonefish Grill on Wolf Road in Colonie was a win-win on both counts. The restaurant opened on October 7 and I was invited to experience a tour of their menu. Prior to this I had heard of Bonefish Grill but had never eaten at one.
Founded in 2000 in St. Petersburg, Fla., the Bonefish Grill experience is the perfect recipe marrying quality and consistency in food, service, ambiance and value. As the “Fresh Fish Experts,” Bonefish Grill specializes in market-fresh fish and wood-grilled specialties.
Before I share with you my experience, I have to tell you about the atmosphere. There are several dining options. You can pop in and enjoy a meal at the bar or one of the communal tables in the bar area. (Don’t you just love communal dining?) Or you can eat in the dining room. I love having options.
Now on to the food and drinks. Bonefish Grill has an extensive cocktail, wine and beer selection. I kicked off my maiden Bonefish Grill voyage with The Bee’s Knees Martini which was absolutely delicious.
Described as “A 1920’s Prohibition era throwback. Made with honey + lemon to mask the smell of alcohol which was prohibited.”
If you’re like me, there are times when you can make a meal out of appetizers and a cocktail. Bonefish Grill has a fabulous selection of small plates on their menu called “Starters + Sharing” and “Hand Helds”. The Bang Bang Shrimp is one of their signature dishes and they were good but their Maryland crab cake is outstanding. Minimal filling and all crab. Really tasty and I highly recommend.
That being said, I already know what I’m going to order the next time I’m there. AHI TUNA SASHIMI!
Ahi tuna sesame-seared with wasabi + pickled ginger. All I can say is OMG!
I also had the calamari. It was good. Not great. Order the ahi tuna. Seriously.
Now I don’t normally care about bread. To me it’s just a filler and I’d rather fill up on something that’s not bread. It looks like I’ll be making an exception to my rule because Bonefish Grill’s artisan bread is served with a pesto that’s to die for. I usually don’t get to have pesto when we go out because I’m allergic to nuts but this pesto is made with garlic, basil, sea salt, kalamata olives, red pepper, parmesan and pepitas. A nut-free pesto. What?!?
Warm bread dipped in pesto. What’s not to like??
When you order any of their wood-fired grilled fish you have a choice of having it served with one of their signature sauces – mango salsa, chimichurri, Pan Asian or lemon butter.
Salmon with chimichurri, salmon topped with bacon/spinach/gorgonzola and tilapia with Pan Asian sauce.
Oh! I forgot to mention the corn chowder + lump crab. Sweet with a smoky heat that hits the back of your throat.
Thick but not too thick.
I was definitely getting stuffed but I can always squeeze in some dessert.
Flourless chocolate brownie with macadamia nuts, red raspberry sauce & whipped cream – vanilla creme brulee – Jamaican coconut pie with a Myer’s rum sauce
If dessert isn’t your thing, you might enjoy an Espresso Martini.
Sugar & chocolate rimmed martini glass with Svedka vanilla vodka, Kahlua, Creme de cacao and espresso
Mark came with me and we both agreed that Bonefish Grill is on our ‘approved restaurant’ list. Have you been? What do you think?
For the record, while my meal was complimentary, I am not affiliated with or employed by Bonefish Grill.
Bonefish Grill is located 59 Wolf Road, Albany (Colonie), NY in the old Borders bookstore building next to Colonie Center and is open for dinner seven nights a week: Monday through Thursday, from 4 – 10:30 p.m., 4 – 11:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sunday. Happy Hour drink and food specials run Sunday – Thursday from 4 – 6:30 p.m. Brunch is served on Sunday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Reservations are recommended but not required, and walk-in guests are always welcome. Reservations can be made online at www.bonefishgrill/Albany or by calling (518) 459-2046.
Founded in 2000 in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Bonefish Grill specializes in market-fresh fish and wood-grilled specialties. Bonefish Grill service staff, called Anglers, provide the best in what Bonefish Grill calls “chef’s coat service.” Anglers pride themselves on guiding Bonefish Grill guests’ journey through their innovative, seasonal menu and specials, which feature only the highest-quality, freshest ingredients, including traditional and unique varieties of fish and seafood as well as numerous non-seafood items. Bonefish Grill combines this with a big-city bar that offers hand-crafted cocktails and an affordable, eclectic wine list. Bonefish Grill’s award-winning approach has been recognized as the “Top Overall Restaurant,” “Best Seafood,” “Top Service,” and “Best Seafood Restaurant in the Nation” by several leading consumer guides.