Alright, so I’d been hearing whispers about Etta’s Seafood Restaurant for a little while. You know how it is, someone mentions a place, then someone else, and it just sticks in your head. So, last week, I finally decided, “Okay, let’s go check this Etta’s place out.” I had a real craving for some decent seafood, and thought, why not give it a shot?
Getting There and First Impressions
I drove over there on a Tuesday evening, figuring it wouldn’t be too crazy busy. Managed to find a parking spot without too much drama, which I always count as a win. Walked into the restaurant. The place had a good, solid vibe. Nothing too over the top, you know, not stuffy, but definitely not a greasy spoon either. Just looked like a comfortable spot where you could sit down and enjoy some fish. There were a good number of folks already eating, a mix of families and couples, that sort of crowd. And it smelled good – like fresh seafood, not that old fish smell you sometimes get. That was a relief.
They got us seated pretty quickly. We landed a decent table, not shoved in a corner or right by the kitchen doors, thankfully. The lighting was just right, bright enough to read the menu and see what I was eating, but not like an interrogation room.
The Main Event: Ordering and Eating
So, we got settled in, and our server, a younger guy, came over pretty promptly with menus and poured us some water. He seemed friendly enough. I took a good look at the menu. Plenty to choose from, as you’d hope at a seafood place. They had oysters, clams, all kinds of fish prepared different ways. It actually took me a good few minutes to make up my mind because a lot of it sounded pretty darn good.
I decided to kick things off with a bowl of their clam chowder. Figured you can’t really go wrong with chowder when you’re at a seafood restaurant, it’s a good test. It arrived nice and hot, not lukewarm. Good creamy texture. And, importantly, it had a decent amount of actual clams in there, wasn’t just a bowl of potatoes and cream. I’d call that a very decent start to the meal.
For my main course, I landed on the grilled salmon. I asked them to cook it medium. My friend who came with me, he went for the fish and chips – a real classic choice, can’t argue with that. We chatted for a bit while we waited for our main dishes. It wasn’t a super long wait, which was nice.
My salmon showed up looking pretty appetizing. Had those nice grill marks on it. It came with a side of roasted vegetables and a scoop of rice. I took my first bite of the salmon – and yeah, they cooked it just how I like it. Flaky, full of flavor, and definitely not dry. The veggies were good too, had a nice little bit of char on them, which I enjoy. My buddy seemed to be pretty happy with his fish and chips. He mentioned the batter was perfectly crispy and the fish inside was fresh and flaky. And I’ll tell you, the portions were generous. Neither of us was leaving that place hungry, that’s for sure.
Service and Other Bits
Throughout the meal, our server fella checked in on us a couple of times. Asked if everything was tasting good, kept our water glasses topped up. He did his job well, no fuss, no hovering. That’s the kind of service I really appreciate. Just let me enjoy my food, but be around if I need something, you know?
When the bill came, it was pretty much what I was expecting for a seafood dinner for two. It wasn’t cheap fast food, but it wasn’t one of those break-the-bank fancy places either. Felt like a fair price for the quality of the food and the amount we got.
So, What’s the Verdict on Etta’s?
Overall, I’d say my little expedition to Etta’s Seafood Restaurant was a definite success. The food was genuinely tasty, it all seemed very fresh, and they knew how to cook it right. The atmosphere in the place was comfortable and relaxed, and the service was solid. Honestly, no real complaints from my side of the table.
Would I go back there again? Yeah, I think I definitely would. If I get that seafood craving again and I’m anywhere near the area, Etta’s will be high on my list of considerations. It’s not trying to be some super gourmet, Michelin star kind of place, but it serves up good, honest seafood. And sometimes, that’s exactly what hits the spot.
So, if you’ve been thinking about trying Etta’s, based on my visit, I’d say go for it. Just my straightforward experience, sharing what happened. Hope this helps someone out there make a decision!
