The Atlantic — Restaurant in Melbourne

I am disappointed to have to give this place such a low star. However, the customer service is so atrocious that that I have to provide this feedback.

I have attempted to come here 2 times, but knocked back for ridiculous reasons.

The first time I walked in with my husband a few days before Valentine’s Day and was told that the bookings wouldn’t open until the day before Valentine’s Day and therefore they wouldn’t and couldn’t take our booking. Didn’t bother.

The second time I had booked and came with a friend and the food was nice. The service was average. It was relatively busy.

I had made a booking for last night a night before and left them a message and also left a message on the booking to say we were seeing a show at the palm and would be late. It was 3pm and no one had called me. So I ring them and explained the situation. Mariam had advised that they could hold the table but we could only order mains and dessert. I decided it would be best to cancel as I would have liked to try their appetisers. We finished the show and decided we would actually see if they could accomodate us. I walked in at 9:25pm as the show finished earlier and said we had a booking but I cancelled it. Would it be okay for us to dine in. The lady went and asked this manager with glasses who approached us and literally said “ yiu would like a table for two?״ I said yes and explained the situation that was offered to us earlier in the day ( mind you there were still plenty of people dining) he then goes to say “oh sorry we’re closed.” Right.

We left and had a three course dinner elsewhere.

The next day (today) I made a booking. 2pm I got there.

The waitress had a language barrier. The floor staff were clearly untrained. Pouring water from a jug she couldn’t even hold because it was so big and heavy and holding it in her hand whilst pouring. At the price you pay you expect professional wait staff. We had 4 DIFFERENT servers. Had to continuously wave them down. Ordered fresh oysters. The waitress asked if I wanted fresh or kilpattick and I said fresh. She then brings out kilpattick. I said to her I’ve asked for fresh oysters and she raised her voice at me and said “you said kilpattick!!! I ASKED YOU!!!” Ummm excuse me? I have never in my life ordered kilpatrick oysters. The wait staff waited for us to finish each course of the set menu instead of bringing it out and asking if we want it to come all together or separately. I didn’t know this was happening until I asked where the steak was. They said we are waiting for you to finish your food? I’m like it’s a shared menu and you taste the different foods? You could communicate this is what you’re doing. We finally left at 5pm 😵 that’s how long it took!!!

The food was a 5 star quality. Well made, presented and tasty. But the service infuriated me. To top it off they charged me for the kilpatrick oysters and I realised after I had paid. I brought it to the waitress attention and she said “ didn’t you check the bill?” Excuse me? I think I should have enough trust that people will do the right thing. She did refund me.

The octopus delicious 10/10 Salad was nothing special 3/10 The steak 10/10 The salmon with grapefruit, pomelo and orange maybe was so bland and boring 1/10 Fries were okay 6/10 Tarama with bread 10/10 Snickers dessert 10/10

After this poor customer engagement experience I won’t be recommending people to come here unless they improve their customer service.

If you are happy to pay premium prices for significantly below average...

Since this was indeed a restaurant within the Crown stronghold, I had high expectations as I sat down with my partner and another couple.

The ambience levels were almost much spot on in regards to table space and noise level. Lighting was good, but we did have to push the table half a meter back as the light bulb directly above us was not centred and was hanging above the couple's heads opposite us. This caused some immediate discomfort.

Drinks were ordered almost instantaneously and the staff were very accomodating and approachable, giving suggestions where necessary - my friend also accidentally bumped into our waitress exiting the bathroom. She was extremely apologetic and they both laughed it off. Pricing were to be expected considering the venue location.

Only once our drinks came (proceeding approximately 5 mins), did we then received the food menus. We then proceeded to wait at least 20 minutes for our order to be taken even after calling down the wait staff on 2 seperate occasions. The restaurant wasn't fully booked and it didn't seem like anyone was rushed off their feet.

Entrées

2 Natural oysters 2 Kilpatrick oysters Octopus Soft Shell Crab 2 Bug rolls

Oysters were fine, could have been larger. Probably not up to the digression of the restaurant in relation to the seasonality of oysters and their size. Octopus was boring and bland. Shame, as it is probably my favourite seafood and is usually such a lively ingredient. All I could taste in the bug rolls was the bread. The bug on its own was actually very fresh and delicate. I'd just remove that menu item and try conjure something non superfluous. Soft shell crab was excellent, but how can you ruin a deep fried soft shell crab? Entrées were also slightly overpriced when considering prices of the mains.

Mains

3 Bug Spaghetti 1 Squid Ink Calamari Pasta 1 Bowl of Chips

Mains took at least 30-40 mins to get to our table as the clock ticked past 10pm. My partner was staring at the food being prepared in the kitchen which I believe prompted the manager to reassure us that our food was being plated. The long wait didn't dampen my spirits due to fabulous company, however, if you're dining with someone you don't necessarily like, the wait time could take its toll.

Spaghetti with chunks of overcooked and tough bug. No salt or pepper or chilli (as advertised) and lathered with oil. For $50 it was one of the most bland pasta dishes I have ever eaten. The consolation was the half bug, seemingly cooked over charcoal, clinging precariously on the outer noodles. That was good but not outstanding or "fine" by any means. I would have been much happier if the dish was just the half bug on the side with pasta and NO pieces of bug, finished off in a seafood broth or stock for some kind of depth. That dish was honestly a 1/10. Maybe I didn't order the right thing but hey, shouldn't every dish be the right thing at a fine dining restaurant? If this was how a basic dish is executed, I couldn't imagine how a more technical one would come to fruition.

The squid ink pasta was good, nothing to rave on about. Calamari was soft and pasta has some decent flavour. Bowl of chips were brilliant. I enjoyed eating those more than both pastas.

In finality, I won't be coming back, solely due to the food not being...

Food was great but lacked the quality table service.... Went in expecting the best but come out disappointed not worth the heavily priced menu

I was running late to my booking an tried to call several occasions to the Atlantic and inform of my lateness but nobody answered the calls, upon arrival of my colleagues there was confusion on the booking that was made under my name and they were informed that there wasn't any booking. When I arrived 15 minutes and seated we were given no more than 2 minutes to read menu an decide on our courses. Because we were rushed we order all cold entrees and informed waitress that we will order our mains once we are almost finished. When she was informed of a Nut and Alcohol Allergy she rolled her eyes an body language was nowhere hospitable towards us, it was actually very rude and her vocal mannor was no different. The food was fantastic for entree.... The same waitress come to the table and informed us that the kitchen was closing soon and we should order our mains an so forth so the kitchen could close!!! That was fine so she gave us menu's an insisted we order asap an left, within a minute she was back asking if we had decided an my reply was ease up a little you just gave us the menu's least let us discuss!! We decided quickly and was unsure what was in the dishes, we reminded her again of the allergens on the table and her reaction again was very careless and rude when asked what was in certain dishes!! 😡😡😡 My nut allergy is that severe that consumption is a result of severe hospitalisation and even death if I am not there quickly. Well we didn't get our mains at all and was informed that the kitchen was closed right after ordering!! Absolute disgrace for a restaurant I have spoken highly about through my 20+ years in the industry as a Executive level Chef and to make the situation worse I was trying wine an dine a highly regarded International Food blogger that come to me to take her around to what I thought would be the best restaurants in Melbourne and Sydney. Atlantic was my first choice over Vue an I highly recommended it prior to booking I haven't seen if she has posted her experience at The Atlantic yet but I am sure it will not be good.... very very disappointed. The issue was discussed with the management and they did try to accommodate but ordering off another menu from the restaurant next door was not really sufficient enough as we went there to experience the best of what Melbourne has to offer. I give the 2 star rating because the food was great for what we got of Atlantic's menu and what I expected but the service was partruse and was over rushed for a table that would have easily spent close to a thousand on food and beverages. I am still in disbelief of what we experienced..... As a chef there's no point putting your heart on a plate and having poor service to deliver it... you are waisting time!!! This I learned throughout my extensive International experience in 5-6 star resorts to which I operated kitchen. I wish Atlantic the best for the future but I will find it very hard to recommend to both my Australian an...