Atlantic fish & Chop House — Restaurant in Edgartown

We've been coming to the Atlantic for years and love the atmosphere and the food and, often, the service. However my visit yesterday was bookended by the absolutely offensive, shrill, no-eye contact, entitled attitude by the host staff led by a young woman who could have been my grand-daughter. When we arrived and politely asked for a table we were directed to the bar. We asked about a two top on the patio overlooking the harbour and were told, in her shrill voice, that the tables were reserved for guests eating food. With no, pro-active, welcoming intention on her part I filled the void by saying we would get food and could we sit at one of the now 2 two tops that were open on the patio. She requested we wait by the entrance for the tables to be cleared. Fine. As a 50+ Black man in America I am used to young white people not knowing my age nor how to treat me how they treat my white counterparts. Without going into a history lesson, any person of colour can tell you how they observe this phenomenon. And quickly follow up with, we flow, this is not our first rodeo, one monkey don't stop no show. We had our eyes - and taste buds - set on the bloody marys and delicious food. We stood where instructed for at least 10 minutes whilst the tables remained uncleared and unset. In that time at least three members of staff idled at the host station, including our in experienced hostess who checked her phone, cracked wise with fellow staff members and received subsequent guests with monosyllabic response and no eye contact. I even asked if I could wipe the tables down, trying to keep it light in the face of this hostility. That was met with a curt, "no, we need to reset the table ourselves." Again, fine. A lovely gentleman who we had seen hustling non-stop, table to table, pivoting, multi-tasking, etc, finally wiped the table down and we were seated. Once seated, this man was incredibly sweet, helpful, jovial and pleasant. We flow. I leave this review, not because I want to get anyone in trouble or just be a nudge. I leave it because this experience happens all the time and it needs to be aired out. All too often these micro-aggressions go unchecked. And younger generations, slipping into the service industry to reap the spoils of lovely places like the Vineyard on a seasonal basis, are not held accountable for their deplorable, racist actions by their older counterparts. And the pattern of centring whiteness continues. We will continue to come to the Atlantic. Because it is an amazing place. And, again, one monkey don't stop no show. We flow. Thank you, to the helpful members of staff at one of our favourite Vineyard spots, The Atlantic. See...

This place is fun and creates a good atmosphere with dancing music. The food has always been good in the past and I have been happy with the nice wait staff.

I'm writing a review as I cannot go here without being leery of the late night staff now. I know their job is difficult dealing with drunk, tired, or just plain difficult patrons, but I believe that if they were a bit more considerate and patient they would create a more relaxed environment where things would be less likely to go wrong. I felt the lead late night host(?) wanted to escalate what should have be a non situation.

For context: after entering the bar at about 11:30pm late to meet friends I inadvertently bumped into the back of someone who stopped while walking out the doorway to the main patio. I say, "excuse me" but my voice doesn't project and he doesn't hear me. I give a confused look back after as I realize he is working there and I guess I too expected a wave or acknowledgement that it's no big deal that I bumped into him as would be customary after a small bump that occurred.

Well, he became defensive over this and made a look of disbelief at me and was offended and asked me, "are you not going to say excuse me." . I pleaded my case and said that I did, but also that I was confused why he would be surprised considering he stopped walking in a doorway. It's totally understandable he didn't realize I was behind him.

I just projected loudly "excuse me" to end the encounter and get away from someone who looked like they were itching to kick someone out of the bar. I think that mindset is really incongruous with the location and clientele, but my opinion is only as relevant as this review.

If there is any obligation to be overly apologetic or assume the fault for a walk into each other mishap that burden should be on the staff and not the customer when a walk into each other situation inevitably occurs. When I think of a worrying bar patron the person who gets overly offended when they get bumped into is the exact kind of person that the party staff should be concerned about, not actively being.

Upon leaving the bar the bouncer's didn't catch someone else leaving with a drink in their hand. The same host(?) comes running and yelling brushing and touching me and others to get to the street and come grab the drink from her. Then the host (?) calls me out for giving him, "that same look" in the middle of the street in Edgartown and that, "I'm gonna remember you." I replied that "i'll remember you" meaning I'll no longer feel comfortable...

Visited The Atlantic twice this summer, once in May and again this past weekend (September). This review reflects both experiences, as they were both poor.

Location is superb and on the water with allegedly beautiful views. Unfortunately we were sat out in the back patio in a tent both times so I can’t speak to the views or general atmosphere. The most recent visit I spent my time fighting off mosquitoes and getting bitten up. After both meals it was painfully obvious that the views are saved for the customers who appear more financially suited to those seats.

Menu has fairly good variety but prices are HIGH even for the vineyard. Quality of food is excellent but….

Unfortunately the atmosphere and service is abysmal. In May I was celebrating a milestone birthday. Our first dining experience we were sat in the back patio (passing numerous open tables) and had a dismissive waiter who was much more interested in flirting with and serving a table of local ladies. I was disappointed to have a bumpy start to the birthday weekend but was able to dismiss the behavior. I returned in September at the insistence of a friend, and it was a great disappointment. A front hostess agreed to seat us somewhere specific and had to argue with another hostess/seater, commanding her to bring us somewhere after watching the seater shake her head no and refusing to seat us. Our waiter was rude, abrupt, and was clearly Upset/ impatient with us with lots of huffs, walking away, and eye rolls (we took too long to decide our meals?). At the close of dinner when asking for a small substitution on a dessert item we were told no, you could not add on to the dish (a guest asked for ice cream with a slice of cake) and we would have to order two separate dessert items to accomplish that request. A simple “we can accommodate your request for a small upcharge” or “my apologies, we cannot accept substitutions on desserts” would have sufficed. I do hope the waiter realized we took our time there, overstaying our welcome at the table due to the clear snub with the seating and then the behavior during meal service.

The menu prices are exorbitantly high for such agonizingly rude service. While the food is very good, I will never return to this establishment nor would I recommend it. A dining experience is more than...