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| - Before we set sail on this review, can I rap about the WC a bit? What is going on? There is some bad art in there, an unclothed baby-doll toy hanging upside-down from the ceiling above the toilet, and one of those godawful sinks with separate faucets for hot and cold water. How do people wash their hands in these things? I seriously want to know. Do you pool a little cold water in one hand and splash it on the other while it's under the hot water spigot? Could someone please send me Ikea-esque pictographic instructions?
Moving on. The Atlantic is a shared-plates diner with a focus on Portuguese fusion and seafood. It's on Dundas West by Lansdowne, and looks a lot better inside than the motley sign outside would suggest. Maybe that's the point. It's a bonny spot that's dimly lit, has tables in every available corner, and is slathered with nautical art. (Insert foghorn noise here.)
I always appreciate when a server asks whether you have been to the restaurant before. We hadn't, and she helped explain what they were about, how much is a reasonable amount for two people to order, and other menu queries. Top marks for service.
Here's what we ordered with my pithy notes:
Bean dip
A generous helping of dip, served with four pieces of toasted bread. This was good and garlicky.
Bass tartare
I did not like this. The tartare was served on top of some seriously salty greens (might have been Nori, actually). Do not want.
Savoury Tarte flambée
These crispy bad boys were quite enjoyable, but again kind of salty.
Duck confit salad
My fave. It was a tonne of delicious shredded duck, not too fatty, served on endives and radicchio. It disappeared in seconds.
(Another foghorn noise, maybe some seagull squawks.)
Goat cheese gnuddi in saag(!)
It turns out that gnuddi is a like the soft pillowy insides of gnocchi but without the potato-ey jacket. (I never knew this.) I definitely enjoyed the cloud-like texture of these little dumplings but they weren't that interesting. Even in saag.
Creme brulee
I have had better.
Huge brownie
This came from OMG down the street. No complaints.
Espresso
I most definitely did not enjoy my espresso. It was actually a bit gritty.
I'm very torn on what exactly to rate the Atlantic. The restaurant and service is adorable (hanging dolls aside) and the menu is highly ambitious and creative. On the other hand, I didn't dig everything I ate and the total damage came to $70 for two before tax and tip. Kind of pricy. But given that their menu changes frequently, I'd definitely come back to see what else they have in store. Or should I say 'in shore'? Yo, ho, ho!
Obligatory Title Pun: AHOY MATEY.
Menu Readability: Single-pager pamphlet-sized in a modern font (like Bodoni but not). It's printed daily, and they use quality stock.
Need to mention: They have an array of cocktails starting at $10.
What this place teaches me about myself: Please send those instructions to howtowashhandsattheatlantic@yelp.com.
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