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| - After wandering around Yonge and Dundas for a while, we finally decided that Spring Rolls would get our business as we wanted something other than Pickle Barrel or Red Lobster at Atrium on Bay.
After getting our menus everything on it seemed predictable, but not as much variety as we were hoping it would be. We really wanted Salmon, but it looked like it was only available as a dish with spicy pad thai noodles under Chef Specialities. We were told we could substitute it with rice, but if we did that I don't think we would have gotten our money's worth for doing so. Eventually we settled on short ribs, and a steak both from the Chef Specialities section.
While waiting for our food we sat at our table, which ended up being the one right by the door so when people walk in from the street we are the first people they see. It was a little weird at first but there is a glass partition separating us from strangers, we got used to it. While talking with my girlfriend we noticed we had to speak up more than usual just to communicate over the table. It was quite loud for a smaller area but there are larger sectional tables near the front where larger groups could eat at. Either way it was loud enough that I downloaded a decibel app on my phone just to see how loud it was: 88db was the average. By the end of the meal I was ready to leave just to give my ears a break.
The food itself was exactly how we were expecting it. I can fully recommend the Short Ribs and the 8 oz Steak, very savoury with their Teriyaki sauce, both served with white rice. I asked for Medium Rare, and for the most part it was but it was interesting to see that depending on the part of the steak, it wasn't cooked evenly but it was still delicious. Cooked properly too, seared on it's back so the fat cooks properly. Too bad it wasn't quite all the way through but I didn't mind. The only problem with the Short Ribs was there wasn't enough of them, but the lack in quantity is made up with the flavour and the skewer of shrimp and onions.
Another thing I didn't like about the plating is the food is served in exaggerated plate/bowls. I found it difficult to cut a steak properly and fully appreciate it in a bowl rather than on a plate. I could tell my girlfriend was having the same issue with her short ribs. A little too much garnish on the dishes too, a small green salad and a leaf of kale. I couldn't figure out if we should eat it, or if it was meant to just be garnish. Overall I had a great meal, I rate it a 3 as it was almost everything I was expecting for this price range.
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