Seafood, Steaks and More at Marina Bay's Captain Fishbones in Quincy, Mass.

October 3, 10:28 AMEast Coast Restaurant ExaminerKellie Speed

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  Finding a waterfront seafood restaurant is a simple feat around the Boston area but when it comes to the suburbs, locating a high-spirited eatery can be a difficult task unless you are lucky enough to have discovered Captain Fishbones. Whether you come in the summer to imbibe in a margarita or other flavorful concoction (think pineapple upside down cake martinis), on the deck after work or venture inside for a 99-cent appetizer at the bar, Captain Fishbones is sure to please even the most discerning diner.  

During the warmer months, both tourists and scenesters alike spill out onto the outside deck (which is open year round) at this Marina Bay restaurant, which serves three affordable meals each day. The breakfast menu includes steak and eggs, omelettes, Monte Cristo sandwiches, oatmeal, fruit salad, apple raisin crepes and even blueberry, banana or cranberry French toast.

Captain Fishbones offers an astounding number of inventive varieties of seafood, steaks, pasta and desserts. The restaurant nearly gives away its appetizers for 99 cents Monday through Friday with the purchase of two beverages. Choose among double dipped wings, sesame chicken fingers, onion rings, a bowl of chili, loaded nachos, mussels marina, meatballs and others.

“We have a good understanding of the boating environment because we are residents here as well,” said Denise Renaghan, who co-owns the restaurant with husband Mat. “We like to make sure that everyone who comes in here feels special like a part of the family. No one is a stranger here and I think people really enjoy that and look forward to coming back for another visit.”

At a time when the economy has taken a downturn, diners are looking to save as much as possible. The Renaghans realize this financial crunch and have devised an early bird special menu served from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday where adventurous diners are rewarded with crab cakes, London broil, marinated turkey, baked scrod, fried scallops or chicken parmesan, all for under $10.

We started our evening with the stuffed quahog, which came complete with not just one but THREE enormous quahogs loaded with stuffing and baked to a perfect golden brown. The sesame chicken should not be missed, lightly fried then caramelized in the oven with Captain Fishbones’ own deliciously sweet “special sauce.” If you have never tried fried oysters, here is your chance. These are lightly breaded and served a light golden with tartar sauce and cocktail sauce for dipping.

The BBQ ribs were a surprising delight at this restaurant that hails “seafood, steaks and more.” Smoked North Carolina style, these ribs had just enough chew before they fell completely off the bone. The captain’s homemade chili filled with kidney beans had just the right amount of spices, loaded with melted cheddar cheese and chopped onions.

Specials that evening included the blackened salmon with yellow rice pilaf mixed with peas. This famously fresh catch was hailed our favorite of the evening, served with an inventive cucumber side topped with cut cukes in a light yet flavorful dill sauce.

The roast prime rib (available Thursday through Sunday while it lasts) was a tender, juicy cut served alongside a buttery baked potato. The divinely rich stick to your ribs cheeseburger mac and cheese (with cavatappi pasta) should also not be missed served with two generous pieces of garlic bread.

Service here was excellent as our unobtrusive waitress, Stacy, made sure our beer and water glasses remained full all evening. Desserts here are simply a must as they offer the perfect ending to a deliciously enjoyable meal. The sinfully rich chocolate loving spoonful cake made for a heavenly dessert option with chocolate pudding oozing between two layers of dark moist chocolate cake - a chocolate lover’s dream.

Customers have been returning to this seaside location to find this rare kind of value. “Every time we have a special occasion, we come to Captain Fishbones,” said Susie Regele, who visits the restaurant regularly with her sister, Elle. “The attention to service is 100 percent. They really go out of their way to accommodate you. This is our second home because we go out to dinner five nights a week. The restaurant is like Cheers because when you walk in, the bartender already knows what we like to drink and has it ready for us.”

When you’re ready to slow down the pace, relax by the beautiful views of Marina Bay, and savor some fabulous fare south of Boston, you can always rely upon Captain Fishbones for a satisfying and reasonably priced evening out on the town.