The Big Ketch

Since we moved, we've started blazing new "regular routes" around the city. I actually feel that we are driving a lot less, though since I'm usually the passenger, it's all relative. We had passed The Big Ketch a lot as we drove up and down Roswell Rd. As a huge seafood craver -- especially for oysters -- I had looked with interest at this place every time we passed it. I asked friends about it, I looked at the menu. So the tipping point was when I read through my food blogs that Shane Touhy had left Dogwood to join The Big Ketch. Well, now there was a name I knew. I put it in on our short list of places to try. And so, on Sunday afternoon, we headed over there to check it out. It just happened to be Father's Day so we saw a lot of families, mainly decked out in khaki. Service was friendly and relatively attentive but not overbearing. The place, to my eye, is much nicer inside than the dive I was expecting.

Josh started off with this half basket of hushpuppies, which he said were pretty good. He did mention that even this half was too much for one person. I thought they were okay, though I prefer the flavor of the ones I make from the Scott Peacock recipe. Not that mine are ever nice and round like this and they are a real bitch to make.

I started off with this Caribbean lobster bisque. I remember thinking it was a bit odd -- since I'm used to a more traditional bisque taste -- but the flavor of lobster came through clearly. And I ate every bit of it, so that's saying something right there, too.

Josh got the Super Grouper, fried, which came topped with coleslaw and remoulade. He said it was pretty good, but when compared with what I had, it paled. My bad. He got it with the jalapeno chips, which he liked and said that each chip was infused with jalapeno taste.

Me, I was trying to recreate the grouper sammich I had at the Seagrove Market when we were down at Rosemary Beach, so I ordered the blackened grouper sandwich which comes with tartar sauce, lettuce, and tomato. It was damn good. I think as good as on 30-A. It came with coleslaw which was pretty good too. I found it to not really be uniformly shredded and there were some really big pieces, but overall, I liked it. The Big Ketch was a keeper on my list. I hope to go back soon.