Blu Seafood & Bar

Came here for restaurant week dinner. Have to say the wait is pretty hefty. We had a reservation at 5:30, and we finished getting served/​eating 3 hours later so do recognize that it takes time. As far as service goes, the wait staff were nice except that during the meal when we asked them to take a picture for us the lady said, «No, not right now. We’re busy.» which surprised me a bit. They did take the picture for us after he had finished eating at around 8pm though. The ambiance is very cute. They have little candles out on every table and décor reminds me of being on a ship. As far as food goes, the restaurant week menu is pricy but good. Friends who tried the oysters said they were very tasty, and I enjoyed the calamari as well. Fish is very fresh and tender, and the vegetables on the side were also very delicious with a hint of buttery caramel. I would come here again but mostly for special occasions.

Great food! Service was efficient but didn’t leave me with any warm, fuzzy feeling. It was very transactional. For restaurant week, there was a three course meal with options. I had the calamari, swordfish with grits and the key lime pie! All of them were delicious! The portion sizes were great and everything was light, not heavy — which is great because I didn’t feel like a fatty when I left, nor did I need a nap. I will definitely come back!

My husband has dined here several times for work and has been pleased so not wanting to miss out on a good thing I suggested we try them for Happy Hour. The restaurant is upscale and date night material without being stuffy. We sat at the bar and were taken care of by Keith the bartender. Service was outstanding and the old fashion we were served was up there with Bar Virgile (currently my #1 old fashion in Durham) .The night we dined they had a special on oysters ($ 15 a dozen) and $ 3 Red Stripes which was nice. We ordered the fish ceviche, cornmeal calamari, smoked salmon, and a ½ dozen oysters. The food came out quickly as it was still early in the evening. Oysters were outstanding and served with a mignonette sauce that was divine. The cornmeal calamari and smoked salmon were also wonderful though the servings were on the small side. The fish ceviche was good but I didn’t care for the toasted corn nuts and would have enjoyed it more if it was served with a vehicle to my mouth i.e. chips. All and all I enjoyed myself and plan on having a full blown dinner with them in the future.
Specials:
Nightly Happy Hour from 5 – 7 pm
Monday & Tuesday –select oysters half off by the dozen & half dozen! $ 6 bubbles & $ 3 beer
Thursday– Tiki Night with special cocktails and sliders at the bar
Monday-​Friday $ 7.99 Lunch Specials–
Mon –Fried oyster caesar
Tues — Crab cobb salad
Wed — Fish tacos
Thurs — Calamari
Fri — Fish & Chips

I may have had the best oysters I’ve ever eaten here.
The few experiences I did have with raw oysters have been pretty bad. I always thought oysters were briny & fishy, but nope! I had half a dozen oysters that were so fresh that it wasn’t briny/​fishy at all! And it was only $ 7.50! I was SO happy to have had delicious and fresh oysters. Oh, it comes with lemon wedges, horseradish, vinaigrette, cocktail sauce, and tabasco.
The Williams Pear cocktail is simple and tasty: pear infused vodka, lemon, and local honey syrup.
I had the scallops and shrimp entrée which had arugula, cheesy risotto, and grapefruit pieces. It wasn’t spectacular, but I enjoyed it.
Just a warning, skip the dessert. They’re just «too» everything – too sweet, too tart, too rich, etc…
Besides that, the service was amazing, and the oysters were soooooooo delicious. (By the way, I heard that oysters were best in months ending in –er so hurry here before December ends!)

Blu Seafood & Bar is a Seafood restaurant in Downtown Durham. It’s ones of few restaurants with a private lot. The restaurant has a warm blue and gray colored theme to it. By the bar, there is a TV with CNN on. When we walked in, they said we could sit anywhere we’d like. I liked how the restaurant had simple but nice décor — metal fish sculpture and glass fishing floats wrapped in rope hung on separate walls. I also liked the jazzy blues music playing in the background.
The service was above and beyond. Our server Matthew was very hospitable, making sure we were having a good time and liked what we ordered. I liked how the chef was willing to accommodate with my food allergies. I also liked how the food was tasty, portion size was just right, and price was reasonable. During lunch, they have $ 7.99 lunch specials that vary per day.
For drinks, I ordered a Sweetened Iced Tea. Since I was curious about Citizen Cider, our server was nice enough to let me try it. I liked how it was bubbly, light, and on the drier side. It’s interesting that it’s made from apples from Happy Valley Orchard in Middlebury, VT, where I went apple picking last month.
For appetizers, we shared a few Oysters on the ½ Shell. They recommended Maryland Select and Virginia Rappahannock River. They were served with Tabasco, Horseradish, Cocktail Sauce, and Onion Mignotte.
For entrees, my mom ordered a Fried Oyster Caesar Salad, which consisted of heart of romaine, Parmesan, croutons, cornmeal crusted oysters tossed in a homemade Chipotle Caesar dressing. She liked how the oysters were lightly breaded and crispy and the dressing wasn’t spicy but had a hint of spices. My dad had Fish and Chips, which consisted of beer battered cod with side greens and thin, crispy sweet potato strips (a lighter substitute for house cut fries). It was served with cocktail sauce and homemade tartar sauce. He liked how the cod was lightly battered and the small salad accompanying the dish. Since they were sold out of the Carolina Trout, I asked what the Fresh Catch of the Day was and right away I was sold with the description. The Fresh Catch of the Day was a pan seared mahi mahi marinated in a mushroom vinaigrette, served over sautéed crisp green beans, topped with crispy shoestring onion rings, and finished with herb olive oil drizzle.
If you want a phenomenal dining experience, I’d highly recommend Blu Seafood :)

What a wonderful meal we had tonight! Finally a place in Durham that isn’t hurried! Parking was even available. The service was professional and very responsive and the food was top notch!

Absolutely amazing! All the ingredients are super fresh and the fish was cooked to the right tenderness. Service was relatively fast. Would definitely come again!

I’m wish I could give half stars. I’d give this 3.5. It wasn’t quite four but not three either. I’m leaning toward the positive side. Lol We shared the diver sea scallops and shrimp. I loved the scallops and shrimp and thought the small salad garnish with grapefruit was nice as well. The risotto bed was relatively bland and needed salt. The crab mac and cheese didn’t have enough crab. I couldn’t even taste it. The romaine salad was OK but nothing great. I loved the calamari and the slaw that came with it. I could’ve just had that and been happy. No room for dessert. Tables in the bar for happy hour r tight but the happy hour deals were good. If I’m in the mood for seafood, I’d try it again. There were other menu items I’d like to explore. It ended up being pricey for two considering we were taking advantage of happy hour menu and sharing one regular menu entrée. $ 80 for two people including drinks and tip.

Less than impressed all the way around. The shrimp and scallops had little flavor except for the slight tart bite of grapefruit. The blue cheese n the salad would have been better if it was crumble and served with a light vinegrett. They dressing was way too heavy. We went for the crab mac n cheese and that was a disappointment. You couldn’t even taste the crab but the prosciutto was a nice touch. The calamari was Ok I’ve had better. The sangria needed simple syrup added and was skimpy with too much ice. Our server did a great job and the food was delivered quickly. The side seating room had an eclectic feel but overall the atmosphere was nothing memorable.

Popped in to take a peak at Blu’s menu; sometimes when I do this, hostesses look a little taken aback that you would actually ask to see a menu before requesting a table… I was happy to see that the hostess had no problem with us «perusing before deciding to dine.» He was kind and made recommendations, etc. We decided to give the place a whirl. Atmosphere is cozy… dimly lit, somewhat intimate of a setting — this place has a date night feel to it. We were seated right away and our waitress was very friendly. I opted for the shrimp and grits (a patron favorite) and a salad… though I wish I’d tried their oysters. they had a special that was screaming at me. The shrimp and grits were okay — shrimp was cooked perfectly and had that taste of sea that makes me long for coastal living… the dish itself was just a tad salty, and I wanted something else… can’t put my finger on it… maybe more cream? Parm cheese shavings? But something. I probably wouldn’t order them again, instead I’d try other menu items like their trout. My dinner date for the evening decided to try a salad, the calamari, and the crab mac & cheese. I could not resist his calamari and I think it’s the best I’ve ever tasted… it was so good. I kept spearing more of it into my mouth; I can’t figure out how in the heck the texture was so darn perfect. If you’re in the area, give them a whirl.

As any seafood enthusiast knows, the key to great seafood is fresh raw material. In terms of freshness, Blu is up there with the best of them. The raw oysters are glossy and sweat. The shrimps are as springy as tennis balls. The mussels and clams come in varying sizes, are open at the right angles, and are so fresh that you have to scrape the meat off their shells with a spoon (the restaurant provides small spoons perfect for this purpose).
With that said, the cooking at Blu is rather simple and strait-​forward. And why not? A five year old can cook great seafood when given the freshest material. The point is that I can get it within 10 minutes of ordering, at 7:30 on a Saturday evening. That is the efficiency I need. The price is quite reasonable for the quality of the material. For example, a raw oyster is $ 2.5 to $ 3, and you get half off on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The décor within is as simple and elegant as it looks from the outside. The restaurant looks bigger on the inside but is still not too big. The whole place is spotlessly clean and smells faintly of fresh lemon and the open ocean, as it should. My waiter was very prompt and helpful. She was a little bit confused about the kinds of oysters and their prices, but that is understandable since their oyster menu changes very often with season.
If you live around Duke campus and need a dedicated seafood place, look no further.

This place is super cute and in a great location. It’s a mix between casual and high end dining which I loved. It’s small and cozy on the inside and the oysters are great, they have quite an array of options for the fresh oysters. I recommend offering them charbroiled because that’s my fav. Crab Mac and cheese was delicious and the shrimp and grits were good too.

Disappointing. I can’t say my food was bad. It was just mediocre. I expected so much more from this place! I had shrimp and grits and my friend had the gnocchi. Both had a vinegary flavor. I didn’t mind it, but it was almost as if there were no other flavors in the dishes. The portion of shrimp was very generous, but there were just a few tablespoons of grits! The drink I had was very good and the service was decent.
Overall, I guess it was ok, but I doubt I’ll be back. I spent about $ 40 for 1 entrée, 1 drink, and tip. At this price point, I would’ve expected a much better meal.

My husband and I went to Blu last night for Triangle Restaurant Summer Week, and we were very impressed! We ordered the oysters, which tasted very fresh, the shrimp and grits that had an exceptional taste, and I had the salmon with mint and feta, which I am a big salmon eater and this was some of the best that I’ve had! We finished off with the key lime pie and chocolate mousse pie, and they were both delicious ! My husband doesn’t have a big sweet tooth and he even thought the chocolate was the best he’s had. We’ll definitely be back!

I had such an enjoyable dinner at Blu, both due to such delicious food and our fabulous waitress Katherine. Katherine was passionate and knowledgable about the food at Blu and extremely attentive. Truly, the best waitress I’ve seen anywhere in years. We had the James Island oysters (yum!!), cornmeal calamari (don’t miss it!), and shrimp and grits. The shrimp and grits were not typical. They had the addition of mushrooms and bacon and a lemon brown butter sauce. It was a little unexpected, but very good. Blu is a little on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for here– awesome food, awesome service, all around a great meal out.

I enjoyed this place! As you step right into the restaurant you’re greeted by the hostess as the counter is right there. Behind that when you start sweeping around it has a small hole in the wall feel. It’s tiny with limited seating and a bar with blue walls that makes you feel like you’re under water. The dim lit light sets a bit of an ambiance, that relaxes you right away — great for dates and brings friends closer.
The food was so delish! I had the cornmeal calamari with smoked chile aioli and cabbage slaw, which was quite good. The calamari was a bit on the chewey side, but the flavoring was good. The calamari was not soggy and dripping with oil and had a clean finish to it with the cabbage slaw with a bit of creaminess due to the aioli.
The shrimp and grits was good! The lemon butter adds a bit of nice flavor to it that kind of cleanses/​opens up your palate every time you take a bite. You just want more of it! It works so well with the applewood bacon which adds a nice texture contrast with the grits. The grits were a bit dry and clumped which was slightly disappointing. If it had just a little bit more moisture it would have been perfect. Definitely don’t want runny grits with the sauce, but it being quite clumpy I had to piece it off… still enjoyed it lots! Plus, enjoyed the generous portion and size of shrimps.
The dessert, flourless chocolate chile torte was a great way to finish the meal. The sea salt was a perfect amount so that it added a slight saltiness while enhancing the chocolate flavoring. And the slight kick with the chile was perfect. It wasn’t overwhelming. The salty sweet with a kick of spice — the balance between them was on par. Quite a delight.
All in all a great meal and am sooooo grateful that I had a chance to experience this restaurant! Definitely a place that I would like to check out again! I guess I’m hooked ;)

Burying the lede a bit here: Wife and I dined at Blu earlier this week. The food was fine if unspectacular and drinks a bit overpriced, atmosphere/​décor didn’t do anything for me, and service was mostly adequate. If that were all that mattered, this would be three stars.
However.
We attempted to pay a portion of the bill with a certificate from
and were straight up refused. Granted, the certificate was purchased several years ago, but it does not expire, is completely valid and all conditions were met. No reason was given except ‘we don’t accept these anymore’. No conciliation was offered at all, such as comping an item or taking something off the bill. And keep in mind this was not a budget meal in an effort to spend the minimum necessary to use the cert; we ordered drinks and three courses of food to the tune of $ 85+ total. Of course I was mad, but let it go since I knew the server was just the messenger.
So I took it up with the owner/​GM by email. All that has gotten me is nowhere. The answers are identical: they don’t accept these anymore (a ducking of obligation, IMO) and don’t believe there is anything to ‘make right’ with me. They have suggested to me, just as the server did, that it is MY responsibility to contact
to get my money back. Frankly, that’s insulting. Blu owes me $ 25, and instead they think
owes me whatever I paid for the certificate.
Do you think I’ll eat there again? Yeah right. But I will share my bad experience online and with friends! They must see that as a win, somehow.

Everything on the menu looked so good, it was so hard to decide what to get! I got one of the specials, red snapper with cheddar grits and candied bacon… it was delicious! Great selection of wines, my friends and I shared a bottle of white (can’t remember the name). The cocktails also looked really tempting… will have to try one next time! My husband also had the ceviche as an appetizer which he raved about. I wish they had an entrée size option for their salads because I really wanted to get the kale salad as my meal. Looked amazing. Overall I had a great experience here and will definitely be back!
Note to my gluten free friends — they have gluten free options marked on the regular menu! Not a huge selection but enough to give you a variety depending on what you feel like. I have celiac disease and I didn’t get sick here… so two thumbs up!

«Classy seafood restaurant»
Some good friends of mine urged me to reconsider my review of Blu with another visit, and specifically to actually try the fish tacos. I confess– I LOVED them… probably some of the best I’ve had in the area despite seeming simplicity to them. They were also affordable– $ 8.75 for three fish tacos. Blu also now offers a daily lunch special for $ 7.99– today (Tues) was cobb salad topped with crab, but apparently it’s fish & chips on Fridays. Service was again very friendly and quite fast, and there were many «fresh» options.
This is not a «cheap» place, but the quality appears consistently high. Given that I am now fond of multiple menu options, and given I’ve found some affordable lunch options that are also very good, I revise my rating to 4-​stars.

Being a California girl, I love my seafood. So when I saw this restaurant on 9^th street while browsing the shops, I had to try it out for myself.
Business was rather slow, in fact my friend and I were the only ones in the restaurant at the time. Granted, it was for Monday at lunch.
Since this was her first time this far south, we decided to try the shrimp and grits and veggie sample plate.
Food took a while in coming out, but our server was very friendly.
The grits were very good; the shrimp and vegetables (brussel sprouts, green beans, beets) were alright at best. Bit underwhelming given the price. Seating is rather close together, but I appreciated the ocean themed décor.