Watermark
What People Are Saying About Watermark
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short – Gray walls and floor-to-ceiling windows create a sophisticated, modern style at this refined hot spot. The dining room, located at the top of the stairs, boasts great views of downtown, making the space well-suited for business dining or romantic evenings. Executive Chef Joe Shaw's American cuisine menu features fresh, local ingredients and changes slightly each day. Distinctly Southern-influenced accents such as collard greens and a grits souffle make the menu even more appealing.
03/05/09
NOT AT ALL UP TO MY STANDARDS
by gwynmorrison
I read many good things about this restaurant and when I ate here I was very sad indeed. My fish was not warm on the inside and should have had at least a few tiny vegetables on the plate or something else to at least feel like you are eating a bit more and I am a very small person. the bread was just ok if you are really hungry and too salty at that. The other foods on the table had complaints and were either too salty or just not up to standards I knew it should be. All and all I have to give this place a less than average rating. They sure raved about it in the papers and I would stick to Merchants any day or even Sperrys over Watermark. Way to expensive for the taste or presentation of the food. I didn't want to hurt the person's feelings paying for it when my fish was not very warm. Oh so bad.
- Cons: No one came up to park our car as stated so we walked a long way. Food was less than hi standard.Took a long time to get our food.
02/28/09
The Watermark Experience -- not to be missed
by talans
An excellent fine dining experience. Watermark delivers on all fronts -- from the simple yet elegant ambiance and attentive yet unobtrusive service, to the outstanding cuisine. Be sure not to miss the superb grit souffle or the indulgent chocolate sampler. Hats off to Sean Norton for a truly inventive and well-executed menu. A memorable and highly satisfying evening.
- Pros: Cuisine, service, ambiance
- Cons: None we noticed
12/10/08
Disappointing on many levels
by FreshHell
Very over-rated, overpriced restaurant. Terrible ambiance - high walls & wood floor make for a very noisy setting. Spare interior design is severe, not Zen-like. Half-finished condo project across the street (which, given the economy, will likely remain unfinished) ruins what was probably a wonderful view. Shrimp appetizer was so overcooked & rubbery a knife could barely cut through them. Chorizo? where? The pumpkin soup had a strangely heavy mouthfeel and bitter aftertaste. The grit souffle IS stellar, but one dish does not a chef or menu make. Salad prices are like early high scores in ice-skating: they serve to artificially inflate the scores/prices appearing further down the program/menu. Roll your eyes if you must, but anyone who orders fish at restaurants needs to understand how commercial overfishing has caused the collapse of fish populations. Watermark seems not to have heard the news: Daurade, grouper, tilefish are on all "do not order" lists yet those fish, plus an "organic" (farmed? wild? who knows?) salmon and hebi were the choices available. Hebi are taken mostly by long-line fishing (which threatens the leatherback turtle) and can be kept frozen on board ship for up to two weeks before they make it to market (despite being overnighted from Hawaii as per our waiter). In any case, hebi are replacing the collapsed swordfish anyway. It's hard to understand how a chef who appears so invested in creating a menu that reflects seasonal foods (butternut squash, pumpkin, root vegetables) also seems insensitive to other aspects of menu-making like these. I did like the use of so many types of wild mushrooms. The filet and lamb were both very good but overpriced. The service was glacially slow, even for a large party. Perhaps the slow service was designed to pump up the wine bill; no one should have to wait nearly an hour between courses, even in a party of 10. Kudos to Sam Tucker and Heather Riley, who are responsible for the delightful dessert choices.
- Pros: Grit souffle. Filet and lamb v. good but overpriced. Desserts with coffee.
- Cons: Prices. Ambiance. Ruined view off balcony.
The Details on Watermark
Parking:
Street and lot parking is limited, so go for the free valet parking on 12th Avenue.
Know Before You Go:
The restaurant's first floor is reserved for private gatherings; call ahead to reserve for parties and events.
Where to Sit:
If the weather's cooperative, ask to be seated on the balcony, where the view of downtown is panoramic.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Fine Dining, Outdoor Dining, Notable Chef, Private Rooms, People Watching, Business Dining, Date Spot
Cuisine:
Notable Chef:
Sean Norton
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