Nibbles + Bites

Fresh catch options include Citrus Salmon, Shrimp Skewers, Maine Sea Scallops, and a Daily Catch.

A New Catch

in Cornelius Check Out The Waterman Fish Bar

by Lara Tumer | photography by Lisa Crates

When The Waterman Fish Bar opened several years ago in South End, the intention was to create a brand that had the opportunity to grow. After seeing the success of the first location, owners looked to find an area with natural momentum in the restaurant scene. The town of Cornelius was an easy target. With neighboring restaurants like 131 Main and BoatYard LKN, owners of Waterman felt like they could also create a neighborhood hot spot in this part of Cornelius.

welCome to the neighborhooD

After choosing the second location (previously Cowboy’s), the design challenge was to give this restaurant the same feel as the South End location. The original location in South Charlotte has a large rooftop bar, and since recreating that in the new space would be impossible, the same indoor outdoor aesthetic was achieved with a sizeable patio. It’s open, airy, and approachable. The 360-degree bar creates an energetic vibe, and the fresh air can be enjoyed from all angles with a wraparound patio. Seating is first come, first serve, but you can reserve a spot when you’re on your way through Resy. Parking is plentiful in the adjacent lot.

“Waterman aspires to be a neighborhood go to whether you’re a seafood eater or not,” says Paul Manly, one of the restaurant’s owners along with Andrew Chapman, Dennis Thompson, and Frank Scibelli. Serving up lunch, brunch, and dinner, Waterman offers a cohesive seafood focused menu. The most popular item on the menu is North Carolina coast oysters, which are offered on special weekdays from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. for just $1.50 each. While the restaurant is currently closed Monday and Tuesdays, the hope is to be operational seven days a week in the near future. Lunch patrons can enjoy daily specials each day for a discounted price as well as lunch sized portions of some of the restaurant’s most popular mains.

from lanD to Sea

Aside from North Carolina oysters, the Classic Lobster Roll (which can be ordered Maine style with mayo or Connecticut style with butter), the menu’s fried fish items, and seafood entrees

For non-seafood items, the hot chicken sandwich and burgers (there are three on the menu) have proven to be crowd pleasers. Anyone looking for a local catch will want to check out the fresh fish feature, all based on North Carolina coastal fish.

“The menu has been worked on and fine-tuned in South End for the past several years,” says Manly, so bringing the same menu to this area was an easy decision. They’ll continue to make edits based on what’s well-received in the Lake Norman community.

CheerS!

The bar-forward concept provides patrons with a full menu of fun and creative cocktails, with a nod to boat drinks. The Deckhand features Lunazul Tequila, Liquor 43, grapefruit, agave, jalapeño for the perfect combination of sweet and heat. Head over on especially hot days for frozen cocktails, served up from a slushy machine. Those who are feeling adventurous will not want to miss the opportunity to throw back and oyster shooter, complete with Deep Eddy Vodka, clamato juice, horseradish, and of course an oyster. There’s also a comprehensive beer and wine list to satisfy all tastes.

The Waterman Fish Bar

9615 Bailey Road, Cornelius 704.237.3247 | www.watermanclt.com/lkn Current hours of operation: Weds., Thurs., Sun., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.