The good people at Terry Black's first foray into seafood happens to be in Waco and it looks like they just opened.

Any locals have a report yet?

Have not been (is it officially even open yet?) but Waco is desperate for a legit seafood place. I'm excited!

Socials say it opens today and can get reservations on resy.com. Would seem to be good timing with all the homecoming crowds coming in this weekend.

SteamedHams said:

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Have not been (is it officially even open yet?) but Waco is desperate for a legit seafood place. I'm excited!

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I believe tonight is grand opening. Soft opening / VIP was last thursday

Bear Doc said:

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Socials say it opens today and can get reservations on resy.com. Would seem to be good timing with all the homecoming crowds coming in this weekend.

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Book Your Opal's Oysters Reservation Now on Resy

Does anyone have a copy of the menu? I could only find a photo and it only showed a partial page

WacoKelly83 said:

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Does anyone have a copy of the menu? I could only find a photo and it only showed a partial page

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https://www.opalsoysters.com/

sipembeers said:

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SteamedHams said:

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Have not been (is it officially even open yet?) but Waco is desperate for a legit seafood place. I'm excited!

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I believe tonight is grand opening. Soft opening / VIP was last thursday

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I don't think oysters have a soft opening.

It looks incredible - can't wait to check it out!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBZq86iyJQY/?igsh=eG92MzFvN2VzeWN0

Menu is online here, looks delish. Man I hope this place is as good as it looks and survives.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1belvqw5qvVeiz6p4Gsfmvh0W0wTUnNDd/view

AI's interpretation:

Based on the menu offerings, the restaurant seems to have a contemporary coastal vibe with a focus on elevated seafood dishes. It caters to a refined but relaxed dining experience, blending a mix of luxurious, upscale ingredients with creative, modern takes on classic coastal favorites.

Menu Highlights and Vibe:

• Sophisticated yet approachable: The presence of dishes like lobster rolls and cheeseburgers alongside lobster bisque and steak tartare suggests a place where you can indulge in high-end offerings but still enjoy comfort food staples. It's the kind of place where you might feel just as comfortable in casual attire as in something more dressed up, making it versatile for different dining occasions.
• Coastal Elegance: The heavy emphasis on seafood, including raw dishes like oysters and ceviche, seafood towers, and high-end shellfish like lobster and scallops, points to a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients. This suggests an atmosphere that leans toward elegance and fresh coastal charm, where ingredients are presented as the star, with delicate and thoughtful preparations.
• Innovative touches: Creative elements like truffled yuzu butter, powdered bacon on broccolini, and wasabi peas with tuna tartare hint at a chef-driven menu that adds a contemporary flair to traditional dishes. This gives the restaurant a feeling of innovation and modern culinary artistry while keeping the core offerings rooted in familiar favorites.
• Social dining: The seafood towers and caviar service, which include a variety of shareable items, suggest a place designed for social dining experiences. It's perfect for groups that want to explore a range of tastes or celebrate special occasions with indulgent dishes.
• Decadent sides and desserts: Dishes like Cold Water Lobster Mac & Cheese, along with desserts such as Burnt Basque Cheesecake and Meyer Lemon Tart, indicate that the restaurant is committed to offering rich, comforting flavors that are perfect for indulgence. The sides feel like showstoppers in their own right, not mere accompaniments.

Overall, I imagine the restaurant exudes a balance of luxury and warmth. The menu appeals to those who appreciate fresh, high-end seafood with creative flair, but it doesn't veer into being pretentiousoffering familiar comforts that make it accessible. You're just as likely to come here for a special night out as you would for a more casual meal where you can still appreciate beautifully crafted dishes.

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Wines:

This wine list covers a wide range of sparkling, white, red, ros, and dessert wines from various regions, offering a diverse selection for different tastes and occasions. Here's a breakdown:

Sparkling Wines
Prosecco, Cava, and Champagne dominate this section, ranging from affordable bottles like the Spellbound Prosecco (Veneto, Italy) to high-end Champagne options such as Bollinger Brut and Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs. Prices span from $9-$225 by the glass/bottle, catering to various budgets and palates.

White Wines
The list features an international selection, focusing on Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling from regions like California, Burgundy, New Zealand, and Italy. Standout options include the Fontaine Gagnard Chassagne Montrachet (Burgundy, France) at the high end and more affordable choices like the Crowded House Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand). Unique varietals like Grner Veltliner from Austria and Assyrtiko from Santorini, Greece, add interest.

Red Wines
Heavy emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, particularly from Napa Valley, Russian River, and Burgundy. There are some prestigious bottles such as Screaming Eagle Cabernet at $3,200 and Diamond Creek Cabernet ($575). There's also good representation from other regions, including Malbec from Argentina, Chianti from Italy, and Tempranillo from Spain.

Ros
Mostly French Ross dominate this section, with Provence and Rhone Valley represented. Price points are accessible, with most bottles around $45-$55.

Dessert Wines
A small but well-curated selection, including the prestigious Climens Barsac Sauternes 1988 and Quinta do Noval LBV Port.

Notable Regions & Varietals
France has the strongest presence, particularly Burgundy and Champagne. Italy and the US are also prominent, with varieties like Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, and Zinfandel. Unique additions include Tasmanian Sparkling, Greek Assyrtiko, and Austrian Zweigelt.

This list caters to a wide range of wine preferences, from accessible everyday bottles to rare, high-end selections, with plenty of variety in terms of both grape varietals and geographical origins.

BearVerdad said:

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Yogi said:

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sipembeers said:

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SteamedHams said:

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Have not been (is it officially even open yet?) but Waco is desperate for a legit seafood place. I'm excited!

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I believe tonight is grand opening. Soft opening / VIP was last thursday

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I don't think oysters have a soft opening.

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Thanks for that pearl of wisdom.

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Well played.

A+

toughbear said:

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A+

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I have heard best restaurant in Waco, hands down.

those are big city prices, will Waco support a seafood restaurant at that price point? Seafood business is tough, storage times are shorter and inventory management can be an expensive challenge.

Looks great, though.

Amazing vibe and food.

Kudos to the Black family first and foremost. Also kudos to the city council for continuing to use food and experience as a magnet to draw people and activity to downtown Waco.

bularry said:

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those are big city prices, will Waco support a seafood restaurant at that price point?

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in 2005? No, in 2024? I think so, but we'll see.

bularry said:

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those are big city prices, will Waco support a seafood restaurant at that price point? Seafood business is tough, storage times are shorter and inventory management can be an expensive challenge.

Looks great, though.

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It is the only legit high end seafood joint in town, which helps their case.

bularry said:

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those are big city prices, will Waco support a seafood restaurant at that price point? Seafood business is tough, storage times are shorter and inventory management can be an expensive challenge.

Looks great, though.

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You do know there are people in Waco with real jobs and expendable income and things like that, don't you?

FlyinDubGreenGold said:

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Black family

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Not the preferred nomenclature, dude.

Wow…..hoping that is sarcasm.

But in the event it isn't. That is the name of the family that owns it.

Can't wait to get in there.

Already thought Red Herring was a great addition with its raw bar.

Fun to see some legit places to eat showing up in Waco.

beerman said:

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bularry said:

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those are big city prices, will Waco support a seafood restaurant at that price point? Seafood business is tough, storage times are shorter and inventory management can be an expensive challenge.

Looks great, though.

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You do know there are people in Waco with real jobs and expendable income and things like that, don't you?

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For sure. But I live in Houston, a metro area quite a bit larger, and good seafood places have struggled due to consistent customer demand for the reasons I outlined. Serving a large menu of fresh shellfish/seafood (not fried or gumbos) is a difficult endeavor.

I hope it succeeds because I want the option when I'm around!

Went tonight. Cool vibe. Sit outside though the acoustics inside make it so loud we could not hear each other talk. Service was pretty good but you would hope for a little better at these prices. Overall great place that is new and we can't wait to come back.

Service glitches aren't surprising at all for a debut. I'll give any new restaurant at least a few weeks to iron out the kinks.

Lund Vernquist said:

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Service glitches aren't surprising at all for a debut. I'll give any new restaurant at least a few weeks to iron out the kinks.

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yeah, always takes a couple of months to get service and kitchen in sync

EnglishBear said:

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FlyinDubGreenGold said:

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Wow…..hoping that is sarcasm.

But in the event it isn't. That is the name of the family that owns it.

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This is not 'Nam. There are rules.

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Outta your element.

FrankFallonCalling said:

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EnglishBear said:

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FlyinDubGreenGold said:

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Wow…..hoping that is sarcasm.

But in the event it isn't. That is the name of the family that owns it.

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This is not 'Nam. There are rules.

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Outta your element.

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Calmer than you are, dude.

EnglishBear said:

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FlyinDubGreenGold said:

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Wow…..hoping that is sarcasm.

But in the event it isn't. That is the name of the family that owns it.

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This is not 'Nam. There are rules.

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100%. They should've changed their family name to keep up with current sensitivities.

I am stoked that Waco now has a few places that make me stupid enough to drop a couple of Benjamin's now.

Just waiting for The Forge Fisher to ppen...