The Rickenbacker Fish Company opened to modest fanfare in December of 2010. Located just a stone crabs throw away from Rusty Pelican, the Rickenbacker was disappointing cuisine-wise; it never really delivered on its promise of organic, sustainable produce, and the seafood was so-so at best. One can only speculate that the return of a revived Rusty Pelican sealed Rickenbacker's fate.
The venue, on the Bay with views of downtown Brickell, remains a prime spot for a seafood restaurant. So many places have failed here, but that's only because nobody has ever opened anything worthwhile. Since Rusty has gone the way of more upscale food, and with not all that seafood-centric a menu, a savvy restaurateur would grab the Rickenbacker space and open a real seafood house: pristine product, grilled or fried, with simple well-prepared sides and cold craft beers -- at a moderate price. People would be lining up the docks to get in.
Alternative wish: An enormous and extensive seafood market.
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