Paranza — Restaurant in New Providence

Paranza is just another overpriced resort restaurant designed to squeeze dollars from captive guests while putting in the least amount of effort possible. If you’re staying at Atlantis, do yourself a favor—leave the property and find food with actual flavor.

My wife and I took our 13-year-old daughter and her best friend to Atlantis for spring break this year. Not because we had some deep desire to visit a resort that specializes in service or quality, but because, well… water slides. As parents, we make sacrifices for our kids. And on our first night, we made a sacrifice we will never forget—dinner at Paranza by Michael White.

I love good food. I’ll happily pay a premium for a meal that justifies its price. I’ve eaten at Michelin-starred temples of gastronomy where every bite is a revelation, and I’ve had life-changing barbecue from a roadside shack in my home town in east TN. What I don’t like? Restaurants that rely on their location, fancy decor, and a captive audience to charge fine-dining prices while serving up mediocrity on a plate. Enter Paranza.

We researched Atlantis’ restaurants beforehand since I’d read multiple reviews warning that, in general, the food quality was disappointing. But Paranza was supposed to be one of the best on the property, so we held out hope.

The evening started with promise—sort of. We asked to wait for an outdoor table since the view was lovely, and the hostess agreed, though with the enthusiasm of someone forced to work on their birthday. We grabbed drinks at the bar while we waited: two virgin cocktails for the girls, a gin and tonic, and a vodka martini. The bill? $130. The quality? Let’s just say I’ve had better gin and tonics from a middle seat on a budget airline.

Once seated outside, things didn’t improve. Our server was pleasant enough, but then the food started arriving.

First up, the Capesante—scallops, or so they claimed. What landed in front of me looked more like a plate of thinly sliced, pale potatoes. For $34, I expected scallops that looked like scallops and, ideally, tasted like them too. Instead, I was given five translucent slivers of something that may have once been seafood but had since lost all identity. And it was cold.

Next, the Astice—lobster with burrata. Sounds good, right? Well, if you enjoy spending $36 for exactly what the menu describes with no additional effort from the kitchen, this is your dish. A few small pieces of lobster. A dollop of burrata. No sauce. No creativity. Just a plate that screamed, We’re not even trying.

Then the butternut squash and truffle ravioli. Ravioli! One of the easiest dishes for any competent Italian restaurant to execute. Except, apparently, here. The first plate arrived barely lukewarm, tasting like someone had stuffed flavorless cheese into pre-made pasta sheets. I sent it back. Two minutes later, a “fresh” plate arrived. Somehow, only slightly warmer. At that speed, they either microwaved it or had a giant vat of it sitting in the back like an all-you-can-eat buffet nobody asked for.

To the manager’s credit, she came out and asked if there was anything she could do. I appreciated the gesture, but what I really needed was a time machine to go back an hour and choose a different restaurant. She comped my ravioli (as she should have), but the final bill? Over $500 for four people. And two of them were 13-year-olds.

For that price, I could have been dining at a true culinary institution, savoring dishes crafted with precision, passion, and, most importantly, heat. Instead, I left hungry, irritated, and already bracing myself for whatever overpriced buffet Atlantis has in store for breakfast. Bring on the $40 cereals and watered-down orange juice.

Atlantis has water slides, beautiful beaches, and multiple aquarium-type venues where you can view some sea life. Just don’t count on them knowing how to cook it. You’ll see more beautifully prepared fish swimming around the exhibits than you will...

Restaurant Review: Honestly… Just Not Worth It

So my wife and I were really looking forward to a nice dinner while visiting the Bahamas. We picked this restaurant because it looked high-end, the menu seemed promising, and the vibe was definitely trying to be upscale. But wow—this ended up being one of the most disappointing (and expensive) meals we’ve ever had.

Let’s start with the food. The risotto? Barely even cooked. It wasn’t just al dente—it was straight-up raw in parts. The rice was tough, gritty, and completely missed the mark. I don’t know how that made it out of the kitchen, especially at the price we were paying.

Now here’s where it gets worse. I made it very clear when ordering that my wife has an allergy to cabbage. Like, not just a preference—a real allergy. And yet, when our main dish came out (a steak), there it was: a big pile of sautéed cabbage sitting right underneath. It was like they didn’t listen at all. That’s not just careless—it’s dangerous. And honestly, unforgivable at this level.

And speaking of levels, the bill? Nearly $400. That’s for two starters and two mains. No dessert. No cocktails. Nothing extravagant. Just… dinner. And for that kind of money, I’d expect every single bite to be perfect, or at least edible. Instead, we got undercooked food, allergy mistakes, and zero sense of care in the presentation. Everything looked rushed and thrown together—no finesse, no attention to detail.

Then there was the olive oil. Or, I should say, what they claimed was olive oil. It tasted more like cheap vegetable oil—thin, bland, and greasy. When I asked about it, someone actually brought a plastic bottle to the table like that was going to prove a point. If anything, it made it worse. Just made it clear that corners were being cut everywhere.

To top it off, the couple sitting next to us seemed just as fed up. We overheard them complaining about the service at the hotel and the restaurant. One of them said, “This is extremely overpriced for what we’re getting” and “It’s a C-average meal, at best.” Couldn’t agree more.

The staff was polite, but everything felt off. No urgency, no real effort to make things right when issues came up. It felt like everyone was just going through the motions, which is the last thing you want when you're dropping nearly $400 on dinner.

Bottom line: this was a massive letdown. Between the raw risotto, the allergy mistake, the cheap ingredients, and the ridiculous price tag, I honestly left feeling kind of insulted. I wanted to like this place—I really did—but they made it impossible.

1 out of 5. Would...

My dining experience at Paranza, located within the Atlantis Casino in the Bahamas, was an absolute delight, and I can’t recommend it highly enough! From the moment we stepped into this elegant restaurant, the sophisticated yet inviting ambiance set the perfect tone for an unforgettable evening. The ocean-inspired decor and warm lighting created a refined atmosphere that perfectly complemented the exceptional Italian cuisine.Our servers, Britney and Kendra, were the true stars of the night. Their warm hospitality, attentiveness, and genuine enthusiasm made us feel welcomed and cared for throughout the meal. They expertly guided us through the menu, offering thoughtful recommendations and ensuring every detail was perfect. Their seamless teamwork and bright personalities elevated the experience, making it feel both personalized and effortless.The food at Paranza, crafted by Chef Alon Shaya, was nothing short of spectacular. Every dish was a celebration of fresh, high-quality ingredients and authentic Italian flavors with a modern twist. The menu’s focus on coastal Italian cuisine shone through in every bite, from perfectly executed pastas to beautifully plated seafood dishes. Each course was presented with artistry, and the flavors were bold yet balanced, leaving us eager for the next. We also appreciated the extensive wine selection, which paired wonderfully with our meal, thanks to Britney and Kendra’s spot-on suggestions.The pacing of the meal was flawless, with dishes arriving promptly but never feeling rushed, allowing us to savor every moment. The open-air terrace, with its stunning views of the Atlantis resort, added a magical touch to the evening, making it feel like a true escape to paradise.Paranza at Atlantis is a must-visit for anyone seeking world-class Italian cuisine in a breathtaking setting. Britney and Kendra’s outstanding service, combined with the exquisite food and vibrant atmosphere, made this one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. We’re already looking forward to...