The Optimist 5.81

Located in Midtown West, the restaurant's menu focuses on sustainable seafood prepared in a wood-burning oven.

Adjacent to the new restaurant, Fry opened Oyster Bar at The Optimist, a more casual "fish camp" style venue, featuring an outdoor patio, live music and an oyster bar. Both the oyster bar and restaurant feature Smith Hanes’ designs and architecture by Tim Nichols.

The name for the restaurant was suggested by Fry’s father, who enjoys sailing. In sailing terms, an optimist is a small, single-handed sailing dinghy intended for use by children up to the age of 15. The understated quality of the name along with the forthright meaning of the word optimist appeals to Fry. Fry also appreciates the reference to being an optimist about the “day’s catch” and “catching the next big fish.”

For media inquiries, please contact Ashlyn Stallings at astallings@rocketfarmrestaurants.com.