LEO/LHB: Unchained Macca's delights at Westport Village

[Robin Garr]

LEO's Eats with Louisville HotBytes, with Guest Critic Kevin Gibson

If Macca's Florida Seafood Grill & Bar, with its clean, corporate, angular design and requisite marine-centric décor, looks like it could be part of a chain, that's probably more than coincidental - this sleek, family-friendly restaurant was originally going to be an R.J. Gator's franchise, but corporate expansion plans by the Florida-based restaurant chain got put on the back burner, reportedly for economic reasons.

The similarities are striking, as a quick glance at both menus reveals a number of parallels, from the restaurant tag lines to the selections, right down to the photography. The "South Beach Bucket" at Macca's bears strong resemblance to the "Gulf Coast Bucket" at Gator's, even in the way it is presented on the menu. But I digress.

What developers Todd Darland, Marc King, Chris Wolfe and Ed Lacefield came up with fits its new space nicely; Macca's holds down a prime spot in the Westport Village center at Herr Lane and Westport Road - co-existing with restaurants such as hiko-A-mon Sushi Bar and Indigo Joe's, with Napa River Grill opening in June - that should be a prime attraction for shoppers once the new complex really gets moving. (A grand opening celebration is set at the shopping center for June 20-21.)

Outside seating, clean restrooms and a full bar, with plenty of scurrying employees wearing matching attire, put Macca's squarely in the upscale-casual realm. Generally that's not my favorite scene, but most diners no doubt will enjoy it, and the restaurant is quite adept at fulfilling its goal. It comes as no surprise that Lacefield has more than two decades of experience with T.G.I. Friday's, because clearly this outfit knows what it is doing.

Chain-like surroundings notwithstanding, the food at Macca's turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

Full report in LEO and on LouisvilleHotBytes.

Macca's Florida Seafood Grill & Bar
1315 Herr Lane
618-2770
http://www.maccasgrill.com

Nice review - my family and I had a similar experience on Memorial Day. We stopped by for a late lunch / early dinner. It's a good place for a Florida-feeling Bar & Fish place. We did have the alligator bites - they were good - even my kids liked them. Of course, now my wise-cracking 12 year old points out that whenever he eats chicken that it "tastes like alligator!".

Oh well.

We liked it and will go back.

Cheers,

Doug

Guess I'll have to try again . . . when we went (and I sent in a review) back a week or so after they opened, it was awful (overcooked everything except the french fries - they were rare), and the only positive note was the wonderful wait staff.

[Robin Garr]

Guess I'll have to try again . . . when we went (and I sent in a review) back a week or so after they opened, it was awful (overcooked everything except the french fries - they were rare), and the only positive note was the wonderful wait staff.

I remember your review, Andrew, and frankly was wondering what Kevin might encounter when we sent him in. I hope your poor experience simply reflected opening jitters.

I suggest the grilled tuna sandwich prepared rare. I also liked the plantains. I need to try something else, but am stuck on the tuna for now.

I will have to try it again, just because it is soo close to home. BUT I was disappionted in the food. The bucket seemed too close to Long John Silvers fried everything. Same batter and grease on everything. The staff were on the ball and very helpful. Just seemed a bit expensive for the grub. I am still very happy to see any fish in the hood. and now for something completely different, the outdoorware store across the street was very nice. They had a huge map collection and rivals quest with ease.

We just got back from there and the food was a solid B. Nothing flashy but well prepared and tasting good. Our server was very nice, attentive and efficient. The food is a bit exspensive for the style but I can understand that with the price of seafood and other comestibles. Not a destination dining spot but wouldn't pass it by if in the neighborhood and needed a passable meal. They have done wonders with the whole complex, very nice makeover.

We've had dinner here twice. It was better the second go round. I'd say a "B" is about right. On par with Red Lobster for the most part.

What's interesting is that EVERYONE - those who liked it, those who hated it, and those giving it a "B" - had nice things to say about the service!

I wonder if their training is different, hiring practices are different, or is it that since the food is not overly memorable the service just stands out? (eg: people writing about the Oakroom don't tend to rave about the service, because they're too busy raving about the food) Don't know the answer, just have the question!

What's interesting is that EVERYONE - those who liked it, those who hated it, and those giving it a "B" - had nice things to say about the service!

Not quite everyone, when my wife and I ate there we thought the food was better than the service and neither was memorable. Our server was not attentive at all, our salads, entrees were delivered at the same time (we refused the salads) and we had to ask to have our drinks refilled. I doubt we'll return unless we hear some phenomenal reports.

Had lunch there about a month ago. Like some others' experiences: good service, nothing-special food. And, like Kevin, I received fewer pieces (fried shrimp) than shown in the picture. Was told it was sold by weight, not by the piece. Maybe they should take pictures of a zillion of really teeny tiny shrimp and then blow it up. Another oddity: they gave me a frequent luncher card, but with no credit for the lunch I'd just had. Threw it away. Not very impressed.

Per the OP....this is an indie trying to imitate a chain given the source of the concept. A bit schizophrenic ?