Mark R.
Yelp
For this review, I'll start with the end of the meal. Server, " Would you like coffee?" Diners, "no, I don't think so... well okay." After a few minutes three steaming cups of coffee were put down in front of us. We were hoping to savor a good cup on that cold evening. So after we put in our sugars, and cream, according to individual taste, we sipped. "Ugh", we said in unison, "this coffee is terrible. " And truly it was. It reminded me a bit like Sanka--two day old Sanka! So, when our server returned, we told her about the coffee. She agreed it was bad and they were looking for better coffee (apparently the bad coffee had nothing to do with the machine or how it was prepared). So when I casually asked for a discount, she abruptly said "I can't do that!"
Now if I wasn't with a couple we had never met before, I would've asked for the manager and discussed the situation. What do you think Yelp community?
When you are served something that is not palatable, something you can neither eat or drink because it's so bad, shouldn't the restaurant make it "right?"
In my opinion, the coffee charge should've been taken off our bill.
Let's move on to the meal: based on our servers recommendation, we enjoyed an appetizer of pimento cheese, mini crabcakes, fried shrimp, and fried green tomatoes. Except for a piece of fried green tomato that had the texture of a firm apple slice, this is a good appetizer choice to share.
On to the meals: my wife and one of our new friends got the $38 special, a selection of "build your own" three course meals, including dessert.
My wife's entree' consisted of the Southern candied pecan salad, and the spinach ravioli, with a pesto sauce. I tasted her ravioli, and it was delicious! The pasta was light, and very tender.--second best to the ravioli we had in Italy. My entrée, the crispy Gulf oysters were nothing to write home about. I had an expectation of something a little more succulent and juicy, and these turned out to be way too crispy, and with the primary flavor of batter. The oysters were served with a fresh slaw salad, which I enjoyed.
Our friends sampled the she crab soup, and had a fried fish and a blackened, salmon entrée. They were pleased with both of their choices. For dessert, we sampled the key lime pie, and an ice cream and cookie concoction. Both were good. The Blue Marlin is a Columbia landmark with a nice selection of starter salads and entrées. The booths are comfortable and the wood paneled ceiling and general ambiance is warm and inviting. There's something for everyone on the menu and as a rule the food is very good; we do recommend it; however, on this particular evening, I can only give it a three because of my disappointment with the oysters and the unfortunate coffee experience.