ALWAYS RELIABLE for a good hearty meal, servings are huge, flavors great and the prices reasonable.This is where you go when you want to really get stuffed on good quality food.
The food is always excellent!!! Especially the italian fish stew...best ever!!! Everything is very good, and sitting at the bar has the best service.
WE LOVE THE MARLIN!!!! It is reasonably priced and has almost a too big of selection. There are so many delicious things to chose from on the menu that sometimes it is hard to choose! I must suggest the little neck clam special (white wine sauce) My girlfriend wouldn't keep her fork out of it! The mashed potatoes are to die for and the steak tips....YUMMO!If you are looking for a good meal, good atmosphere and reasonable prices....go here. One hint...sit at the bar, the waitresses are "special" ;-)
I went to the Marlin last week and was terribly dissapointed by the bloody mary mix....melting to death at the bar because it is a million degrees in there and then the mussels marinara was HORRIBLE. The mussels tasted and felt like eye balls and the marinara sauce was watery and bland. On a good note the bartender was fabulous!
Best Place in Town!!
I thought my last visit was very disappointing, we were put in a side room, which was very loud and noisy. The food was okay for the money but nothing great. The bread was the best part of our meal. I feel the prices are a bit high for what the quality of the food is. I got a stir fry chicken and it was okay, the vegetables were soggy and not real fresh tasting. The dish was overpowered by the sauce and it just wasn't that great. My husband got the chowder and thought it was too thick and thought it was one of the worst chowders he had in a while. If you go, I wouldn't be seated in this room, it seems to be a room where all the people that have kids get seated. I think the quality of the food has gone down over the past few years, but that is my opinion.
Yummy food and plenty of it. A bit crowded, I think they could use a bigger place.
Posted by: omasgirl at October 13, 2007 09:11 AMFood: outstanding
Prices: Very reasonable
Service: very good, especially since it was a busy Saturday night
Atmosphere: Average - Casual and a little dated, and unfortunately, very, very hot
This restaurant was a pleasant surprise, with an extensive menu and very reasonable prices. We had a terrific meal from chowder, steamers, and salad (so huge it fed two of us) and our entrees (highly recommend the dijon salmon). The only negative is that we were seated in the bar area and the heat was nearly unbearable. I only saw one wall air conditioner to cool the entire room. The host lacked a personality and the waiting area is beyond congested, but hey, you go here for the food, and when it comes to that, I can only pay the highest compliments, which I asked the waitress to pass on to the kitchen staff. Would definitely go back. 
One of my fav's on the North Shore! The service is top notch, the staff is always friendly and prompt, and the prices are reasonable. If you get a chance you must try the shrimp scampi it is to die for...if you like garlic.
Visit there at least once a year. I think the food is very good and the service was always good.
Posted by: Janice at July 13, 2007 05:32 PM
Their bread is the best ever. My husband and I both love the lobster raviolli. Though we have tried other meals and were very satisfied, the lobster raviolli is by far the best meal we have ever had ANYWHERE. Only problem is that on 2 occassions, we received the last 2 portions. I probaly shouldn't be letting people know how great this is because there may not be any left for me.
Posted by: Susan Clancey at June 19, 2007 02:28 PMthis used to be a dependable good restaurant, what happened? Our latest visit left us wondering if all available staff had been kidnapped. It took forever and the food was random. Last time for us.
My boyfriend and I went last night, we patiently waited 15 minutes while they cleared a table extremely slowly. Another couple walked in and were told they would have to wait a short time. Then, another group walked in and were seated immediately. I was so mad, we walked out. We will never return to the Blue Marlin after being treated so poorly.
Posted by: Kristin at May 21, 2007 08:04 PM
I have been eating at the Marlin regulary for the last three years. In fact, Me and a friend of mine have eaten there every Sunday for the past year. I don't know what some of these people are complaining about. I have never had a bad meal there and everyone I have talked to that visit frquently have said the same thing. The service is always great and they are willing to accomodate any special request. If there is a special that is not on the special menu they will make it for you.
And sorry, Tony the bald guy is not there anymore but Dennis is better!
-Dan
Posted by: Dan Kryzynski at December 24, 2006 01:47 PMHAD LUNCH WITH MY MOTHER A FEW DAYS AGO-
WE WERE PUT IN A SIDE ROOM ALONE-HAD TO ASK FOR AIR CONDITIONING -HAD TO GO FIND A WAITRESS AFTER WAITING AND WAITING-MOST OF THE THINGS WE WERE INTERESTED IN EATING HAD MARKET PRICE ON THEM-SO WE HAD TO KEEP ASKING PRICES-FINALLY AFTER WAITING FOR A LONG TIME-FOOD CAME-STEAMERS WERE COLD-OTHER THAN THE BROTH-TASTY BUT SMALL-THE FRIED CLAM PLATE WAS HORRIBLE-BATTER WAS NOT GOOD-WHETHER OLD OIL OR WHAT WHO KNOWS-WAITED FOR WAITRESS-FINALLY MOM JUST ATE WHAT SHE CLD-MENTIONED IT TO WAITRESS-WAS TOLD THEY CHANGE OIL ONCE A DAY-NO KIDDING! AND THAT NO ONE EVER COMPLAINS ABOUT THEIR FRIED FOODS-BILL CAME-WE TIPPED ACCORDING TO OUR SERVICE-CLD NOT GET OUT OF THERE FAST ENOUGH-SO BE IT FOR A VERY DISAPPOINTING STOP-SHLD HAVE CONTINUED ON TO CLAM BOX IN IPSWICH AS FIRST PLANNED! GET IT TOGETHER BLUE MARLIN-I HEARD OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FRIENDS THAT WERE JUST THERE AND HAD BEEN REGULARS
normally decent food, I have eaten there a few dozen times only a few meals that i would say were below par, although service and meal wait time can be on the slow and excessive side.
Posted by: mike at July 12, 2006 03:14 PM
There was hair in the clam chowder.
*Minor edit made by admin.
Posted by: Melissa at June 3, 2006 09:04 AMWe've eaten there several times and enjoyed the food and adequate service until we brought friends there one Friday night. It was perhaps 9 pm and moderately busy - we got our drink orders fairly quickly, but then were ignored for about 20 minutes until I got up to flag a waitress. After taking our food orders, the waitress disappeared and after nearly another half hour, I asked for our salads. No apologies, no "sorry, but the kitchen is really busy, have an appetizer while you're waiting". We left before our meals arrived, having waited nearly an hour.
Posted by: Former customer at April 8, 2006 10:35 PM
Never had a bad experience here! Food is always geat, nice casual atmosphere.
I would recommend this place to anyone.
We eat there at least once a week food, price and portion are the best. The food is excellent, Jason the chef is awesome...always open to suggestions and idea's and takes huge pride in his work! The bar is great, Tony is the best bartender...super fun. We love it, Corey, keep up the great work!
Posted by: essex at January 30, 2006 04:01 PM
Go to the Marlin almost weekly and highly recommend it. Wide slection menu and all good dishes. try the Steak tips, Seafood Alex, chicken rockfella, pasta meatballs, ... Best on Cape Ann
This place is what the Essex dining experience should be. The food is super fresh and reasonably priced. I really enjoy the bar. Lively and fun atmosphere!!! Try the Red fish stew, the best steamed mussels on the planet, and the Shrimp and Chicken Louisiana can't be beat. I would also recommend the house specialty Grateful Dead. Don't miss out on this hidden gem.
big fan of the marlin, always sit at the bar myself. Great food , especially the steak tips!
I have been going to the Blue Marlin since they opened and they have gotten better and better. In all these years I have never once had a bad meal. Their portions are huge and always well presented. The wait staff are all very friendly and attentive and the bartenders can't be beat. Corey Matthews, the owner, is always open for feedback from customers to help improve their food and service. I can't say enough about this place. If you're in Essex you HAVE to try it!!!
Posted by: liz at August 24, 2005 09:24 AM
I love the blue marlin. Best place around Cape Ann to eat. Try to Seafood Alex it's the best.
we eat their regularly and love it the food is so wonderful my favorite is the haddock mornay!!! very fresh we also enjoy the fried seafood its great its worth the trip and the amount you get for your money is well worth it the portions are hugh and we had the lunch seafood plate i can't imagine what dinner would look like!!! the service is also wonderful we were in on a saturday for lunch the waitress was very friendly we highly recommend this resturant!
Go to Marlin on a regular basis and would recomend it to anyone. The menue runs the gammit and I have yet to have a bad meal. Steamers are excellent.
They have the best terryiaki steak tips ever!!! I love going to the Blue Marlin, they have the best food ever!! I would definetly recommend this restaurant.
Very consistent, good food, fairly priced. Bald waiter is fantastic.
The food and atmosphere at the Blue Marlin were very disappointing. The broiled seafood was overcooked and tough. The tomatoe sauce on the pasta did not have a fresh homemade taste. It tasted like it came out of a jar at the supermarket. Overall the quality of the food was below average and overpriced.
Yes, the smoke used to be thick, it travelled from the large bar area into the non smoking rooms. Now that there is no smoking there, I'm sure it has made a difference. Good food, nothing really has impressed me. Prices seem a little high. Staff has been mediocre, not as happy and polite as they should be. Last time I was there, it took forever to get our waitress back to the table, especially when she messed up our order.
Posted by: Mary at June 12, 2004 02:48 PMSorry, but we didn't consider this entry to be a review of the restaurant's food or service.
Posted by: there goes swifty at March 2, 2004 07:22 PM
By far the best restaurant in Essex!! I suggest sitting at the bar for the best service. I have never had a bad experience there.
Went once ...needed oxygen the smoke was so thick, never got to taste the food!
I love the Blue Marlin. Their steak tips are the best around. Their baked seafood is wonderful, they use high quality food. I highly recommend them.
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