Limani Seafood Grill
“When you do go, don't forget to bring your favorite bottle of vino since it's a BYOB.”
“I had the oysters as an appetizer(YUM), and the blackend sea bass as an entree.”
“My sister and I shared the horseradish salmon for dinner – it was incredible.”
Limani Seafood Grill
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
8 reviews
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Good old fashion seafood spot. Good, Fresh, Seasoned well. Great service. Quiet. The entire restaurant centers around a kitchen with fish display–and its very comforting. To really appreciate this restaurant however, you have to consider your options in downtown Westfield. Aside from the two pizza spots in the town-ferrara's [which mysteriously I mean very mysteriously burned down one night and was recently rebuilt] and cosmos [good slice joint turned family restaurant which is not as good]–there ain't much to write home about. I would say this is probably, aside from the French restaurant next door–one of the best spots in town. I loved my horseradish encrusted salmon, soup, and clams casino. And a big plus, right next to train station. Def. going back.
Sorry, I can't review the food quality. I am reviewing because I want to share my completely disappointing, anticlimactic experience.
I had been wanting to try Limani for a while before actually booking a reservation. I finally booked a 6:15 table for last night using opentable. Leading up to Saturday, I was excited. On Saturday, I distracted myself from work by looking further into the restaurant.
Finally, Saturday night comes; my wife and I park our car in Westfield; we walk to the restaurant. Walking up towards the restaurant, no joke, my wife and I thought that Limani does not show well from the outside. They could use a fresh coat of paint. Regardless, "let's see what it's like when we walk inside," I said.
There is nothing negative about the interior. Staff and decor are completely presentable. So, we check in and the manager/host (apparently the owner, sadly) wanted to place us right in front of the emergency exit. It was tight, so I asked for another table. He offered us a table that was even less pleasant, right up against a weight-bearing I-beam. Meanwhile, there are two 2-tops available and 4 or 5 4-tops available in the middle of the dining room.
I politely asked if that was all that he had. He replied that there were a lot of reservations. I told him we needed to talk about it, and we pretty much walked out the door. I shared with him my disappointment as a first diner. He basically didn't care. The owner had a few options, but chose the least client-friendly of them all, especially considering that I too was one of those reservations. Well, kudos to him, he lost a customer.
Came here for dinner with my sister on a Friday night for dinner and absolutely loved it. I wasn't familiar with the area but it is located a block or so off the main streets in the busier area. It's BYOB, so come ready! Our waiter was excellent, full of recommendations and extremely attentive. We had plump east coast oysters to start. We shared the watermelon salad appetizer – watermelon, feta cheese, mint, and a balsamic glaze – it was SO simple and refreshing, I could have eaten ten more servings. Next up we ordered the Thalasomezes, which was grilled shrimp, octopus, and calamari in an herb lemon sauce. Our server quickly advised we taste it before squeezing the lemon, as it was already strongly flavored, and I'm glad he did. I can't remember his name, but he was fantastic and super helpful. My sister and I shared the horseradish salmon for dinner – it was incredible. Perfectly crusted, flaky, juicy salmon with the just a hint of horseradish kick. The side of sauce was served with was so good. The escarole was delicious. I didn't eat a lot of the potatoes, but we were too full for all the starches. We also shared the halibut special – lemony and fresh, cooked perfectly, not dry at all. For dessert I had the pistachio baklava, which was incredible. The pistachio added the perfect nutty taste. She had a Tartufo with peanut butter ice cream – yum. Can't wait to go back the next time I'm in the area and try the tasting menu so I can eat more! They're in the middle of expanding. Highly recommend.
Primarily seafood with Greek touches (olives; feta, etc), Limani has a loyal clientele and some major strengths:
Lots of choices
Delicious swordfish ($32)
Cheerfully allowed a switch of side from potatoes to excellent spinach
BYO
Excellent waitress
Excellent fresh, warm bread
Frequent coupons
The crispy calamari salad ($14) was a generous portion, but the calamari was only fair. The seafood fra diablo ($29) sauce relied too much on heat and enough on flavor and the seafood itself was ok to good.
There are some outdoor tables, but North Avenue is too busy to enjoy it very much.
Tuesday through Thursday there is a 3 course $39 prix fixe–I am surprised more places do not try harder to fill midweek tables and lure in new customers.
Prices are on the high side, but BYO helps a lot.
I look forward to trying some other dishes.
I have to say overall the food was okay!! It definitely didn't wow me!! The pepper Tuna was lacking flavor but the little cucumber salad was good was missing some cherry tomatoes. The kids shrimp Parmesan was definitely lacking salt and sauce for pasta was a little bland . The kids fried calamari was good minus the cold marinara sauce they served with it. The Hawaiian Opah had a nice sauce on it but a little on the dry side. Waiter was very attentive at first but then took a while to come back after we go out food. The bus boys were more attentive.
I came to the money for a seafood dinner. They have a variety of fish to offer from flounder, bass, snapper, char, branzino and more. They also have shellfish and lobster on the menu.
Overall the meal was ok, Not overtly impressed. The service was just ok. The waiter needed more education on the flavors of fish. The waiter couldn't describe the fish well enough to help choose a meal so we just picked an exciting name. Since this is promoted as a fish centric restaurant I would expect the waiter to be very knowledgeable about the flavors of its fish menu. I also asked for a side of lemon twice and never received one.
The calamari was very bland! It was as if they just breaded it without spices, salt nor seasoning.I've had much better elsewhere. The appetizer of lemon skate was delicious with capers sprinkled on top and butter dressing. I ordered the New England which was a mixture of lobster, scallops, crab and fish with mixed vegetables and potatoes and I scarfed it down.
The black bass was tender but still had scales on random areas on the fish which had to be spit out.
If it wasn't for the Groupon that I used I probably would not come again.
Really nice dinner spot. Good service, super fresh fish, and nice portions. Just enough without being overly stuffed after dinner. My fish has been cooked perfectly each time I've eaten here. Definitely pricey considering the atmosphere is pretty casual and its BYOB, but hey, it's hard to find good seafood.
As many people have indicated–this is a BYOB place, which is very much embraced by many of the attendees, so certainly embrace the policy if it suits you. I'm sure this adds to the very comfortable, warm, and enthusiastic atmosphere. The tables are fairly close together and there are lively surrounding conversations, but every table is intimate enough within itself. The waiters are all very helpful and work hard to make sure your questions and concerns are addressed.
For newcomers, there is a very exciting selection of fish at this wonderful establishment including your basic salmon, sea bass, flounders. There are also a number of less commonly encountered fish such as sword fish, mahi mahi, tile fish, opah. Try to come for their dinner special entrees as it expands the available selection.
-The Thalasomezes appetizer was very enjoyable. The calamari and octopus in this dish are notably, very soft, all which tastes wonderful under the lemon emulsion. There is a substantial amount provided, adequate for 3-4 to start with.
-The Mahi Mahi filet on the dinner special menu seemed only partially marinated through, despite being presented in a delicious, mildly spicy sauce.
-The Scallop dish on dinner special came with 6 large medallions with a sufficient amount of yukon and vegetables to fill any gaps in the appetite.
My family excitedly will be back.