We found a great new little place tonight, thanks to discount cards from the Restaurant.com website we bought from Lisa's niece (Katie) and nephew (Scott)...
The Whale Raw Bar & Fish House is a true "find" for those who love fresh-tasting fish! It's tucked into a strip mall in Parkland, FL on State Road 7, just north of Hillsboro Blvd.. The owner used to own The Whale's Rib in Deerfield Beach, so there are a few similarities. The "whale fries" (housemade potato chips) and "whale juice", a honey mustard-type sauce served with the fries, are dead giveaways.
The decor is typical sports bar, with several TV's, booths, tables, and a full bar. However, there's a "Cheers-type everybody knows your name" friendliness that makes you feel like you've been coming here for years.
Tiffany, our welcoming server this evening, brought our soft drinks out promptly in very large (maybe a quart) glasses.
Since Tropical Storm Nicole had blown through the area today and it was still a bit wet out, we both began with cups of New England clam chowder. It was not the standard white, creamy bland base, but was more of a tan color and a savory flavor...a nice surprise! Carol wished for more clams, though Lisa was quite happy with the minimalist approach!
As for the main course...Lisa ordered the Mahi Mahi Island Style, which meant "plantain crusted, mango, Jasmine rice, vegetables, and citrus butter sauce". The vegetables were broccoli florets. First, let us tell you that Lisa's not the biggest fish lover, so her goal is to NOT have the fish taste much like fish. She had no complaints about the preparation but to her taste it needed more of everything to cover the fish taste. She loved the mango salsa and wished she'd asked for a bit more.
Carol was in a barbecue mood tonight so she asked Tiffany how The Whale's ribs were. When Tiffany began to make a face, Carol said, "OK, I hear you...they're not too good!" Tiffany said, "This is not the place to get ribs." So Carol thanked Tiffany for her honesty, then asked her advice and was steered toward the seafood (no surprise!). Carol ordered the Fried Fish Combo, which consisted of a nice hunk of cod, 3 large shrimp, 3 nice plump oysters, and fried clams that were really clam strips (disappointing!). Accompanied by the whale fries and a cup of whale juice, the crisp, greaseless assortment was delicious!!
We had no room for dessert but noted the "Peanut Butter Stack" on the "Specials" board and hope that's available next time!
Service: As noted above, Tiffany was a smiling, professional server who knows The Whale's strengths. She didn't pass Lisa's "straw test" but that's only because we never needed drink refills. We have to say that the silverware, wrapped in the napkin with its little adhesive paper band, was polished to a gleaming finish...something we certainly can't say about most restaurants.
On the way out, we spoke for a while with Perry Spivey, the General Manager who greets you at the front of the house. With many years of extensive restaurant experience, Perry is another good reason to stop in to The Whale and have a small bite or a full meal! The discount card might have brought us there the first time but the food and friendly service will make us go back again & again...and we can't wait!
The Whale Raw Bar & Fish House
7619 No. State Road 7
Parkland, FL 33073
Phone: 954-345-9190
Fax: 954-345-9140
http://www.thewhalerawbar.com/
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