Marlin Darlin Grill

I've been to this restaurant many times over the past two years and I think the atmosphere is one of the best in all of Pinellas county, so I go th... more

After staying away for a year and getting a good review fom a friend who lives in Bellair, we descided to give it another shot at fame. We have visited many a time since opening and have seen it's ups and downs. Last night, 5-12-10, we were told, 2 of us, that there was a 30 minute wait and we agreed. An hour later we were stll hanging at the door and noticed that they had seated 4 other parties that came in after us. They were parties of 4 and above and were told it would be 10 minute wait. Fine, if it's an hour then tell us. Don't let us hang at the door. Before 7 pm the place is like a saloon and very noisie. We came for food. Wait staff at the table was great and the table over looked the kitchen, kinda back by the bathrooms. We noticed that the kitchen looked like Arizona. Not that that is bad but the influence of the cultral has an effect on the out come. Food was very good and presented well if you can get that far. Pros: Wait staff Cons: Management more

Review based on eating here 10X In the beginning - EXCEPTIONAL then - bad experience poor service - overlooked...food is good. Went back... Food is horrible and the awesome flat bread is no more? Stupid - who made this dumb decision? Tortilla Chips - what is this a mexican restaurant? Getting cheaper - food portion smaller. Recent - No improvements - Service still marginal at best - Food not as good - menu getting boring - portions getting smaller. Restaurant may be making more money as a result. I see the owner Frank Chavez over at Island Way Grill - I mention these things to him - he seems uninterested in my feedback...says well just come to the Island Way Grill then. Shame... Marlin Darlin could be great - but it seems it is just about how much money it can make and in cutting back on service - food portions etc... and eliminating the once great flat bread. ( You can't even order it as an appitizer? ) Last Visit: I snuck a peek in the kitchen - it is a Mexican restaurant!!! That explains the tortilla chips instead of the flatbread! Someone please fire the manager - and get rid of the lazy waitstaff - maybe then I will come back. more

From 5:00-7:00 the drinks are only $2.00 and after 7:00 they only go up $1.00! We had a wonderful server and the owner even stopped by our table to make sure we were happy. The food was to die for and at the most incredible price I've ever seen! They had $10 full course meals and a $15 Surf (Lobster) and Turf (Filet Mignon Shish Kabobs) that included appetizer (unbelievable Lobster Bisque-just one of the choices), choice of salad, veggies and great rice, and choice of unique and very tasty desserts!! I can't wait to go back! Pros: The Service, The Drinks, The Food more

We went to Marlin Darin Grill last night 7/18/2009. We got there at 5:25 and were told it would only be a few minutes to get a table ready 15 minu... more

We went to Marlin Darin Grill last night 7/18/2009. We got there at 5:25 and were told it would only be a few minutes to get a table ready 15 minutes max. I normally will not wait to eat at a restaurant but decide to give them a few minutes. What a mistake. The girls working the hostess station (2-16 year old obnoxious valley girls with a power attitude) told me and my wife that we would be the next couple seated. Then after two parties were seated in front of us I asked the 16year old again about our table, and was told us again YES you will be the next person seated! Well this went on where 5 more people were seated in front of us and 50 minutes later. I ask to talk to the manager and the one 16 year old girl said she was the manager, I questioned that and she responded ""Well I'm like sort of a manager"" she then took me to another person and when she did not realize I was behind her and said to him ""ACK LIKE YOUR THE MANAGER AND TALK TO THIS GUY"". Nothing happen from that lame discussion either. 15 more minutes and no table. I will not be giving any of my money to them again. I will spread the word of mouth how horrible the place is. I Hate to be lied to. Had they told me it was over an hour wait, sure I would have left, but I would be back another day. PS there is a Great Restaurant, Bonefish Grill, best food and service in town 500 feet west of Marlin Darin Grill. Get rid of those 2 valley girls with the power to seat you ego and I may return. Cons: Was lied to every time we talked to hostess (5times) more

This was our first time at Marlin Darlin's. It was not a good experience. The menu selection was very minimal and not eeasy to understand. The portions were very small and the prices were on the high side. I ordered the Grilled Grouper sandwich and only finished half because it simply didn't taste very good. My Wife and Sister split a Filet Mingon and the portion was about the size of a fifty cent piece---no exageration. We would not rcommend this restaurant to anyone. One member of our party asked for a sample of the Lobster Mac & Cheese prior to ordering , She was advised that they couldn,t that. She did however order the Lobster Mac & Cheese. She said it was good but the portion was very small. In our opinion this restaurant simply is not interested in pleasing customers They are sveral restaurants in the area that out perform Marlin Darlin in quality of food, quantity and price. I don't believe that we will be dining there in the future Pros: Nice surroudings, clean Cons: small portions, high prices for what you get more

Your right about the Salt Rock Chain ownership, they seem to care less about\r their customers and more about overcharging and underserving than any restaurant\r I've seen in the Bluffs area. It's unfortunate since the potential seemed to be there in\r the beginning . But the owner seems to be on such an ego trip and the bar wait staff\r not far behind . In general the attitude that my wife and I have encountered there , would\r keep us from returning . With the Bonehead and E&E within walking distance we don't see\r the point in spending our $ where it's taken for granted .. Pros: Nice bathrooms Cons: Service with an attitude not nice ..Advertise Sporting Events , then no sound . Stupid more

We love to go for drinks. They are a great price and the bartender Jen is awesome. However, the management is very poor. Joanne acts like she could care less about the customers and treats us like we are a huge incovenience. I have had other friends complain as well, saying they were treated so poorly by her that they will never return. When the Marlin opened, they had great music and great food. However, it seems that the early bird crowd is now more important and the Key West themed restaurant plays disco music, which makes no sense. They advertised during football season to come there and watch the game, but they don't have the volume on any of the TV's, so what is the point? Every time we find something on the menu we like, the menu changes and the item is removed. I am still not sure what they are trying to be. They should give sushi a try. It is a shame, because the restaurant is beautiful and could be a great place to socialize. Pros: Close to home, good happy hour prices, bartenders Cons: Management more

We've only been a few times but really enjoyed it when they added the piano music. The food is good but the entertainment was really the draw. We planned a nice night out and to our dismay the live music was no longer there. Our portions were also small in comparison to the price. I'm not sure if we will be back. more

Our first time dining here, greeted promptly and seated quickly. Ambience nice. Silverware was dirty. Thought at first that it was rust, but was food. Placed silverware at the end of the table for waiter to replace, but he never even noticed, just worked around it. Overall service by our server ""Daniel V"" was terrible. Very crass individual. They have a two-for-one on well cocktails, which the waiter recommended. I asked if they had any flavored liquors, and if they had, something vanilla would be fine. He said he would ""check"". Instead of checking and letting me know, he comes back with a Vanilla Stoli and diet coke without even asking if this is what i wanted - and this was not a two for one drink. I questioned him on this and he seemed to have an attitude answering that they didn't have any flavored well liquors. I ordered a salad with my meal. The meals came out - then the salad was rushed out after/behind the dinner by Dan. (he apologized putting it off, blaming the cook) I obviously declined on wanting the salad anymore, seeing how it was suppose to get there BEFORE the meal. Duh!!. Food was okay to good. Nothing spectacular. Then we received the bill, with the salad charge on it!!!!!!!! I asked Dan to remove the salad charge and he just looked at me offering a very weak, ""Oh, ok."" What an absolute moron! His service set the tone for our dining experience and made it very unpleasant. If you go to Marlin Darlin, ask not to be served by Dan V. Pros: Ambience Cons: Service more

loved the old menu. w/ the new menu i feel as though the marlin darlin has sold out to the tourist.. i no longer feel as though i need to ""dress"" to go to the marlin. the manager now wears polo t-shirts and steel drums are playing as you walk in.. kinda like an indoor jimmy iguanas.. i do enjoy the the drinks they dont seem to have changed. i have had an unpleasent expericenc, glad to say not to the tune of $9000.00. my husband and i ordered the spicy shrimp they used to have. a few of the shrimp were CLEARLY bad.(taste like vommit). when we mentioned it to the mgr. she said ""well do you want more "". hell no i didnt want more.. my point here is that the marlin darlin is taking care of the marlin darlin.. how about a drink to wash this nasty taste out of my mouth or take the shrimp off my bill.. over all we keep trying to make the marlin wrk for us but i need to face reality ""it doesent"" oh well its great to have choices. we are w/in walking dist. we usually end up at the marlin when we cant get into bone fish (which is always full). w/ the new menu at the marlin, we are now heading over to E&E.. more

I have eatin here many times and never had a bad expericence. We sit at the bar and order several appetizers which are always fantastic! The flatbread pizzas are great! Try the pear one..it sounds strange but you will be surpised how tasty it is! The bartenders are great and Jen makes the best mojito in town! Strong drinks, never an empty glass and a beautiful water feature makes for the best bar in town! Your in Bellair so if paying $7 for a drink upsets you go to Chili's and get watered down 2 4 1's. Granted Bonefish has great Baang Baang Shrimp but the rest of the menu and atomsphere doesn't even compare to Marlin Darlin! Pros: Great Appetizers, Fantastic Service, The Bathroom! more

Sorry guys. You may have a bad experience but I love it and go weekly. I have only had great service and amazing food. Better than neighbor Bondfish Grill. Better food, bigger menu and awesome service. Pros: Creative menu. Terrific service. Love the decor like a boat or yacht. more

A dear friend of mine ordered a martini at Marlin Darlin recently, the drink was $7, she used a debit card, and left a $2 dollar tip. The restaurant charged her account to the tune of $9000.00!!! Yes, 9 THOUSAND!!! How this sudden increase in revenue one evening slipped by management is still a mystery. But wait,,, it gets better, it took 2 weeks for the mishap to get straightened out, and when they refunded the money, the accountant for the restaurant assumed she made the refund twice, so then pulled it out of the account yet another time. The best part is, after all the inconvenience they caused my friend, they still had the very poor taste to keep the $7 dollars plus tip!!!! Can you believe this??? She has never even gotten so much as an apology, let alone repaid for the fees and losses caused by this mishap. The origional mistake could almost be forgivable, the complete and total lack of responsibility in any form is UN-forgiveable!!! I guess being part of the Salt Rock chain means guests are dispensable,,, or, it could mean Her $9 dollars just wasn't enough to be a special customer. She is far too kind to voice her disdain for this blunder, so I am! \r I'll keep my money in my safe and dine at one of the million other great establishments in the bay area. Pros: Tasty martini Cons: IT COSTS $9000.00 DOLLARS!!!!!! And You don't matter. more