Bonefish Grill - Fredericksburg

Big change in the quality of the experience. They?ve discontinued some of their former signature touches that made this chain exceptional. Garlic mashed potatoes are now made with instant dehydrated potatoes rather than fresh mashed. This was confirmed by my server tonight. Used to provide a free dessert for birthday and anniversaries but learned that that also ended.

We have been to Bonefish many times and most of time have always been happy with our experience. Last night, was the first time that we were not impressed with the quality. Three of the four dishes had whipped potatoes that were warm at best. We had also asked for a steak to be prepared Pittsburg style which the waitress assured they could do but did not. It was basically raw-cold in the inside. Hindsight, we should have said something then but usually our meals at Bonefish are good.

The server attended to us shortly after we were seated and took our drink orders. However, I would have appreciated some suggestions regarding food and wine, as her knowledge of the drink menu could have been better. After placing our food order, our meals arrived in a timely manner, beautifully presented. It was clear that care was taken in the presentation, and the taste was absolutely delightful. Overall, we had a pleasant experience and I'm glad we chose this place for our date night. It was reasonably priced, making it a great option for a relaxed evening without any stress. We truly enjoyed our time there.

Now, let's talk about the food. The Bang Bang Shrimp was just as delicious as I remembered—crispy, creamy, and spicy. The Rockefeller Butterfish (also known as black cod) was fantastic—so flavorful and silky, especially with the lump crab that took it over the top. Overall, I had a wonderful experience; the food was excellent, and the restaurant was very clean. They adhered to all COVID protocols, and the bathrooms were spotless. I will definitely be back and will recommend it to family and friends!

For my appetizer, I ordered a side of mac and cheese, asking to substitute the bacon with crab meat. The mac and cheese was a bit lacking in flavor, but it really came to life with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. For my main course, I chose the Shrimp Rangoon Salmon over jasmine rice, accompanied by wilted spinach, tomatoes, and a drizzle of sweet chili sauce. It was an excellent choice—a creatively prepared salmon dish that I thoroughly enjoyed, finishing every bite. The meal also included complimentary bread and oil, which was decent, though nothing extraordinary given its simplicity. My partner also enjoyed his meal. He ordered the burger, which was served juicy and cooked to a perfect medium rare. Thank you, Bonefish Grill, for making my birthday and my first visit here a memorable experience!