Disclaimer: The FTC requires that I notify readers that I was compensated for this review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Bonefish Grill in, a subsidiary of Bloomin Brands which also includes Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and  Cheeseburger in Paradise among others, recently unveiled an updated interior and menu. Hubby and I joined another couple for a date night at the Little Rock location shortly before Valentine’s weekend.

Now, I will tell you that like the Rogers Bonefish Grill location, the Little Rock location in the Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center on Cantrell Road, is always busy. A.L.W.A.Y.S. Fortunately, I had made reservations for our Wednesday night out so in spite of the wall-to-wall crowd, we were seated within a very few minutes of our arrival. 

I suggest you make reservations as well whenever you can. Bonefish does offer a limited number of reservations, but if you choose to wait, you will be offered a pager and access to the busy bar area. The main dining room is relatively small compared to many other chain restaurants which seems to be the case in the other locations we have visited. Perhaps that is by design since the hospitality and wait staff excellently attend to each table’s specific needs and requests. Our particular server, crisply attired in black pants and a chef’s coat with the Bonefish logo,  was not only skilled in her job, she seemed to take a special interest in interacting with us with a sense of humor as well as efficiency.

The dimly lit dining room is simply decorated in shades of gold and wood tones with an art piece of a lighted fishing scene on the back wall and additional fish scenes lining the wall. Seating is at intimate tables, booths or half banquettes. While seating is a little closer than I usually desire, in no way did we feel crowded.

Bonefish Grill’s new Specials Menu

Sharing tastes from one another’s plates is one of the advantages of old friendships. And that’s exactly what we did beginning with our starters. Of course, even though we had all had the Bang Bang Shrimp numerous times, it was destined for our table this evening as well.

In addition, we chose the Bacon Wrapped Scallops from the Specials menu and the Bonefish House Salad from the dinner menu to begin.

Those scallops! I may have tried to lick my plate. Don’t judge.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Bonefish Grill Salad

Several types  of wood-fired grill fresh fish options are offered daily. This Crab Crusted Orange Roughy topped with lump crab and grilled asparagus from the Specials menu was perfectly grilled and served alongside creamed spinach and sweet potato mash.

Crab Crusted Orange Roughy with Lump Crab in a white wine lemon butter sauce, Sweet Potato Mash and Grilled Asparagus

The Lobster Stuffed Shrimp over creamed spinach were equally delicious but almost too rich for me. I tend to prefer my seafood lightly dressed usually with just lemon or lemon and butter. I would have liked for the topping to have been just a little crisper. Definitely give it a try, however.

Lobster Stuffed Shrimp on a bed of Creamed Spinach

There are plenty of steak, pork, lamb and chicken choices for those who aren’t in the mood for seafood.

6 oz. Filet Mignon served with 3 Lobster Stuffed Shrimp (not pictured) from the Specials Menu

I highly recommend the Garlic Whipped Potatoes or White Truffle Mac + Cheese as one of your sides. 

And then there was dessert. It was hard to choose between the Chocolate Creme Brulee from the Specials menu and the Key Lime Pie from the dinner menu. So we didn’t. We got them both. The cream brulee was definitely chocolatey and coming from a dark chocolate lover like myself, that’s a real compliment.

I was too stuffed to even attempt a bite of the Key Lime Pie, but our dinner companions declared it delicious with just the right degree of tartness

Chocolate Creme Brulee and Bonefish Signature Key Lime Pie

Kudos to Bonefish Grill Little Rock for a successful updated decor and the new additions to the menu, both very well received by all members of our little gathering of old friends.

#letsbreakbread