Atlantic Grill
Categories:
Restaurants, Seafood Restaurants
Details:
$$$$, Bar Scene, Brunch, Dine At The Bar, Group Dining, Notable Wine List, People Watching
Insiders:
Message from Atlantic Grill
Taste the Atlantic and the Pacific on the Upper East Side Ride the tide to Atlantic Grill, an Upper East Side neighborhood favorite! Voted one of the 50 most popular restaurants in New York in the 2008 Zagat Survey (with a top raw bar), Atlantic Grill is the place to go for your seafood and sushi fix. Our bright, 200-seat space complete with bistro chairs, framed photos, baby blue walls and skylight might make you feel like you sailed into Cape Cod. You may not have left New York's harbor, but one thing is sure: our seafood is just as fresh. Choose from among crowd-pleasing favorites from the Atlantic - or the Pacific - Or sample our daily selection of Oysters and Clams on the Half Shell from our raw bar and our unique Sushi, Sashimi and Rolls.
Editorial by
The SceneThe wraparound dining room and polished wood bar have been slammed since opening in 1998. Swathed in sea-foam green with aquatic photographs, it's a comfortable spot teeming with neighborhood regulars: gussied-up grand dames, first-date couples and raucous groups of friends. Servers are professional and serious, but can only handle so many tables at a time.
The Food
There's something for fish fans of every stripe on the lengthy menu. Freshly shucked oysters and clams appeal to purists, while classicists order crisp-crusted, all-meat lump crab cakes and chopped iceburg-feta salads. Zippier palates share sesame-fried lobster spring rolls, shrimp dumplings with citrus soy, and inventive maki, like the smoky and sweet filet mignon-pineapple variety. Entrees range from strongly seasoned nori-wrapped rare tuna with wasabi-soy vegetables to simple wood-grilled halibut with light caper vinaigrette. Desserts are showstoppers, namely the caramelized banana tower with toasted marshmallows in a tall hazelnut shell.
Key Points
- Sunday Brunch
- Outdoor Seating
- Raw Bar
The Inside Scoop
- Save Money - There aren't many less than $40 wines; by-the-glass options are around $9. The middle-of-the-road pinot grigio is a fine white, and the earthy Rioja fares well with oilier fish, like halibut and sea bass.
- Know Before You Go - Walk-ins will have a hard time scoring a table, unless they're willing to eat at the noisy front bar.
Latest reviews from Citysearch.
I have eaten here for nearly three years, with firends with family, the service is great attentive and informed, perfect for Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Dress is smart and affluent, with a chic in crowd. Patrick, the head maitre'd, is a great host. The food is always superb and fresh with a great seafood selection. Book a table a few days in advance to score a booth.
Pros: Fun, Chic, Great Service
Cons: None, None, None
Posted 07/26/02
I always rave about this restaurant. Everythign we ordered was amazing and so fresh. It is a beautiful atmosphere. Definitely a trendy place. The food was incredible.
Posted 07/25/02
Great fresh fish. And prepared any way you want. If its not on the menu, they are happy to accomodate. Do not go if you are in a rush, as half the fun is the people watching, an the bar scene. And an FYI to people who cant understand the name, Atlantic Grill is about fish. If you want steak, go to Lugers.
Pros: Great Fish, Lively, People Watching
Posted 06/24/02
When there is so much GREAT food in New York, why go for the high-priced mediocre meal? I think we picked the place because it was around the corner from someone's house... The restauarnt is Ok in terms of decor, but the food was really lacking - things were not cooked to order. Tuna was overdone. One of the reviews here sounds like it was written by their PR firsm, not people who have eaten there. Even Docks further downtown is better...They seem to do the same volume, but are better. This was like Banquet food.
Cons: overpriced, mass produced food
Posted 06/02/02
Most reviewed businesses
One if by Land, Two if by Sea
220 reviews
"Went on a monday night and had the tasting menu. It's true, ..."
Blue Water Grill
167 reviews
"I"ve been to this restaurant many times before, but this past luncheon ..."