Jesse's on the Bay, Fort Morgan

On a drizzly Monday a few weeks ago, we made our way to the new Jesse’s on the Bay just past the Peninsula Golf Club on Ft. Morgan Road. It was Linda’s birthday, and this is where she wanted to celebrate. Reservations were made a few weeks earlier when we stopped on our way home from a day-long boat trip.

That day, we visited The Cold Hole, the casual eatery and bar below Jesse’s on the Bay's upstairs main dining area. Both new establishments overlook Mobile Bay with stunning scenery. Jesse’s on the Bay is beautifully designed to give patrons a spectacular sunset view, with an elegant menu and decor. 

The Cold Hole, underneath, is a casual gathering place for food, drink, and music. A new pier has plenty of boat slips to dock and enjoy an afternoon at the bar, table, or lawn. That day, the bar was busy and we were offered an opportunity to take a peek upstairs. 

Linda immediately said, “This is where I want to celebrate my birthday.” We made reservations for four at 6:00 pm on a Monday. Jesse’s on the Bay doesn’t open until 5 pm, so a sunset experience this time of year wasn’t an option. Everything about Jesse’s feels special. We ordered cocktails while we perused the menu.

Known for its excellent beef, lamb, and steaks, we ordered the Prime Dry-Aged Beef Tartare and the Chef Inspired Weekly Grill, which was lamb served over greens. The flavors were amazing! For our main course, the girls had the featured daily special, a Whole Pompano over a bed of roasted vegetables and potato puree served on a wooden platter.

The boys had Creole Spiced Pan Seared Redfish over a delicious dirty Missimati rice with tasso ham, peppers, onions, and a horseradish chive and butter sauce. We split a wonderful Crispol Wedge salad, maybe one of the best I’ve ever tasted. 

The wine selection is nice and manageable, without being overwhelming, and ours was perfectly matched for our fish entrees. Jesse’s only serves freshly day-boat-caught fish, which is another reason it’s one of our favorite places to celebrate a special occasion.

The birthday girl chose a decadent chocolate brownie dessert with four spoons. Needless to say, it was a perfect way to end a perfect meal. I highly recommend Jesse’s on the Bay. The atmosphere is upscale casual with excellent service. 

Call for reservations anytime you are in a celebratory mood, or just want to enjoy a fine dining experience with friends and family. We look forward to returning to Jesse’s on the Bay and The Cold Hole in Ft. Morgan.