2008 Woodie Awards
Fish Market Cafe is fine dining in casual wear
Jacquelyn Rodriguez
Issue date: 3/18/05 Section: No Limits
- Page 1 of 1
Head out toward North Stockton, off Lower Sacramento Road, and you'll find the new restaurant Fish Market Cafe.
The friendly and lively staff greeted my friend and me right as we walked in and seated us at a table dressed with wine glasses and candles.
Even though we aren't old enough to have wine, this restaurant is elegant enough to serve it, but casual enough to come dressed in jeans. The place was decorated with fishnets on the wall, a marlin above the bar, and a baby grand piano in the corner.
The Fish Market Cafe is owned by Lodi residents Mary and Mike Gilbert, and head chef Buddy O'Dell, who also owns Market Street Catering in Walnut Grove. They found this location during their catering business, using it as their kitchen. It was also occupied by Pacific Seafood suppliers.
O'Dell, who graduated from the Delta culinary program, serves up meals from chicken to mussels, salmon to clam chowder soup. You may see him coming out from hiding in the kitchen to greet his customers, making sure everyone is satisfied.
I ordered the grilled salmon meal ($20.50), which was delightful to my tongue and my eyes. My first thought was that the plate looked like it came straight from one of those cooking shows on TV. In other words, the presentation was pretty impressive. As I cleared my plate I noticed other customers were also complimenting their dinners. Of course, you can't forget about desert, so I ordered the cheesecake, which was very filling and delicious.
Overall, the atmosphere was gracious, the waiters and waitresses were attentive and the prices weren't over the top. So if you want to have a fancy meal with that special someone or just with some friends, this restaurant can suit any occasion.
The friendly and lively staff greeted my friend and me right as we walked in and seated us at a table dressed with wine glasses and candles.
Even though we aren't old enough to have wine, this restaurant is elegant enough to serve it, but casual enough to come dressed in jeans. The place was decorated with fishnets on the wall, a marlin above the bar, and a baby grand piano in the corner.
The Fish Market Cafe is owned by Lodi residents Mary and Mike Gilbert, and head chef Buddy O'Dell, who also owns Market Street Catering in Walnut Grove. They found this location during their catering business, using it as their kitchen. It was also occupied by Pacific Seafood suppliers.
O'Dell, who graduated from the Delta culinary program, serves up meals from chicken to mussels, salmon to clam chowder soup. You may see him coming out from hiding in the kitchen to greet his customers, making sure everyone is satisfied.
I ordered the grilled salmon meal ($20.50), which was delightful to my tongue and my eyes. My first thought was that the plate looked like it came straight from one of those cooking shows on TV. In other words, the presentation was pretty impressive. As I cleared my plate I noticed other customers were also complimenting their dinners. Of course, you can't forget about desert, so I ordered the cheesecake, which was very filling and delicious.
Overall, the atmosphere was gracious, the waiters and waitresses were attentive and the prices weren't over the top. So if you want to have a fancy meal with that special someone or just with some friends, this restaurant can suit any occasion.