Located on Mitchell Bridge Road right off Athens Perimeter Highway, the new Harry Bissett’s Bayou Grill is another sequel restaurant that lives up to the high standards set by its predecessor.

Surprisingly different from the downtown location, the new restaurant, which opened about a month ago, is in a bright blue and green building with eclectic lighting and funky decor.

Upon walking into the restaurant, you immediately notice the busy bar filled with people sipping wine or one of Harry Bissett’s many signature cocktails.

The restaurant atmosphere is dimly lit and romantic but also fun and energetic.

Although the interior is booming with color and interesting lighting, our dinner was very relaxing.

Diners can sit outside to enjoy the cool weather with their spicy cuisine or inside and feel remarkably like they are in a New York restaurant.

As for the food, it is not much different from the downtown location, but still delicious and creative. Their appetizers are very appealing and range from $6.25 to $11.95.

Lauren ordered the Sweet and Sour Calamari, which was perfectly fried and topped with okra and a tangy sauce. It was different from the typical tzatziki sauce that tops most calamari, but still very enjoyable.

Great for the cold weather ahead, a wide variety of soups is available by the cup or bowl. Lauren had a cup of the Sherry Crab Bisque, which was creamy, delicious and not too fishy.

It also was topped with a dash of paprika to give it Harry Bissett’s signature New Orleans taste and presentation.

The restaurant also has a wide range of oysters. A dozen or a half-dozen fresh gulf oysters can be prepared a number of different ways, including Oysters Rockefeller, Bienville, Casino and Buffalo.

If you are really hungry or are with a sharing crowd, the Bayou Oyster Sampler includes two of each different type of oyster Harry Bissett’s offers. We did not have a chance to sample the oysters, but from the looks of other happy diners, we wish we had.

Ranging from $13.75 to $25.25, the restaurant’s entrees feature selections of beef, pasta, veal, chicken and seafood.

A very popular beef dish that one of our fellow diners ordered is the Uptown Stuffed Filet, filled with blue cheese and served with a port wine sauce. The filet was perfectly cooked and satisfied our friend’s palate.

Harry Bissett’s also offers dishes such as Shrimp and Scallop Scampi, Chicken Rochambeau, Blackened or Bronzed Fresh Catch and Veal Saltimbocca.

Sally chose the Trout Almondine, which was well-cooked and served with a simple lemon-butter sauce.

It hit the spot, but she suggests a few more almonds on the fish to lend it more flavor.

Most entrees come with a choice of two sides, including collards, jambalaya, creamed spinach, red beans and Barbant potatoes.

Harry Bissett’s makes all its desserts in-house daily, and they all cost $5.00. We sampled three different desserts and wished we had ordered more.

A few of them are bread pudding, sweet potato pecan pie, crAme brulee and praline cheesecake. The portions and presentation were just right.

To help finish off the meal, Harry Bissett’s offers fresh coffee or tea that comes with a choice of a white or brown sugar crystal stirring stick that makes your warm drink even sweeter.

As for the service, our waitress Marissa was attentive, friendly and patient despite our indecisive ordering.

Overall, the new location of Harry Bissett’s provided a superb dining experience.

Although it can be rather expensive for a college student, it is the place to go to treat yourself to a great evening.