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Atlantic Bar and Grill
Categories: Restaurants Nightlife Bars Restaurants, Bars [Edit]
24th & Central AveSeaside Park, NJ 08752
(732) 854-1588
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
20 reviews for Atlantic Bar and Grill
20 reviews in English
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Review from Tooma F.
New York, NY
3/4/2011
The BF Chef and I are HUGE fans of Chef Michael d'Ennery since we stumbled upon him at Trinity in Keyport a few years ago. He moved on to ABG in late November and we couldn't wait to get here. The hours are limited in the off season but they will move to 7 days/week as the peak summer season nears.
We started with the NOLA style BBQ shrimp and the salt roasted beets. Both were delicious, but the shrimp & grits were like nothing we've ever had before. The pork belly followed and was also delicious. The crispy skin can be difficult to cut and it might stick to your teeth but the flavor is soooo worth it. (Update: the skin is now a chicharrone.) And I love the tiny potato chips and black pepper peanut brittle.
I opted for the Peekytoe crab cake appetizer for my entree so I could enjoy a side of truffle cheese grits and the BF Chef had the NY strip. The crab cake was seared to a perfect golden brown crisp on the outside and was full of moist flaky crab. If you're looking for a bready crab cake full of filler, this is NOT it. The truffle cheese grits were creamy and cheesy but not overbearing. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare and the BF Chef couldn't stop raving about the potatoes. (I passed on a taste as I think they might have been to spicy for my palate.)
While we waited for dessert a small plate of gnudi arrived for us to taste. They were soft little pillows of ricotta goodness with just the right amount of brown butter and salt.
I opted for one of the Chef's standards: the malted chocolate panna cotta. I'm a sucker for salty sweet desserts and the chocolate shell with the sea salt delivers. The BF Chef kept it simple with the chocolate ice cream from the Bent Spoon (Princeton, NJ). It was wonderfully creamy and chocolaty without being too sweet. (Side note: we've been to The Bent Spoon and highly recommend it.)
We were also treated to a small sample of the apple fritters. Perfectly fried, light, with the right amount of cinnamon & sugar on the outside. Oh, and the white chocolate macadamia surprise that comes with the lemon-lime tart? Very cool & unique but no, I won't spoil it here. Go & find out for yourself. -
Review from NotTelling P.
Manalapan, NJ
1/31/2012
Good food and service. I wish the crowd was a little younger and the wait wasn't so long.
Food: Very good.
Price: Expensive.
Atmosphere: Nice setting. Too many older people.
Full bar.
I would come back. -
Review from J W.
Hoboken, NJ
1/31/2011
USED to be awesome....Chef Mike recently relocated to 709 in Point Beach.
Filet Mignon Medallions, Tuna, and Calamari were must haves.
I hope the new Chef Mike makes it just as good. -
Review from steve h.
New York, NY
10/17/2011
I went to this restaurant with my family for my Dads Birthday. One of my friends recommended it to me. To start, the breadsticks and bread were amazing! The breadsticks had and garlic and herbs on them. The bread had california raisins and figs. So good! I ordered the herb crusted halibut with collard greens and risotto. The halibut was moist and absolutely seasoned perfect. The risotto was also very good. My dad had the reef and beef. The filet was cooked to perfection and the lobster was the best I ever had. So moist and tasty. I work in manhattan and get to try a lot of restaurants. I have to say this is one the best meals I had this year. I will definitely go back. Last but not least, you have a view of the ocean. which is very nice!
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Review from Amy B.
8/17/2010 2 Check-ins Here
How can you write a bad review about this place??
I've been coming here for a few years and, yeah, it's expensive. It's fine dining! If you can't afford it, don't come. If you're complaining about the motel being the same price and the restaurant, DON'T COME! Get a better hotel maybe!
Back to the food and drinks.
The drinks are always stiff and I usually just order one and move on to wine. The food is always amazing. I highly recommend the rack of lamb and the peppercorn filet medallions with crab meat. Those are my 2 stand-by's for sure.
The service is always great. I've never had an issue. They do have some strict rules about seatings and so forth but come on!! They have everyone serving them excuses all the time. WELCOME TO NJ and THE SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT that goes with it! Sorry that the rest of us have to suffer for the few, but be a little understanding that these businesses make their living off the summer customers only and are not open year round. They need to capitalize on the business they can get so understand that you all have to be there *within 15 minutes of the reservation or you go on the wait list.* PS.. they tell you this when you make a reservation and you can only make a reservation! -
Review from Christopher W.
Nutley, NJ
8/26/2007
Ahh, the Atlantic Bar and Grill, aptly named as it sits 100 yards from the Atlantic Ocean which, on some occasions, you might actually be able to see if you acquire a seat along the eastern edge of the place or happen to be there when it is deserted, i.e. upon opening. Crowded is an understatement: if they could seat you in the broom closet and not get a fine from the local fire chief, they would. And you'd probably sit in there, too, since this is the closest to fine dining within five miles. Actual martinis. Actual ambiance. Actual tablecloths and dinner napkins. Actual prices that make you wonder "Why would I pay that for this?"
Perhaps I'm being too harsh. Being packed into a great place for terrific food isn't always so bad, as I've dined with my Wife in many NYC bistros and tiny settings that were well-worth the unavoidable eavesdropping and exercises in sotto voce conversations. However, they are missing the "terrific food" part of the equation, and while it's good, it's not good enough to tolerate Mr. Suave's aftershave/cologne experiment or to endure the ignorant observations of visiting yentas. You take this all with a grain of salt and perhaps a dash of Tabasco. It'll work in a pinch.
-CListed in: Down'a Shore
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Review from Local L.
Washington, DC
5/27/2009 1 photo
Having frequented many of the Jersey Shore restaurants, I was very excited for this experience as I've heard nothing but good things. In a word... meh.
Let me first touch on curb appeal - in order to get to this place it requires a 400 yard walk through what can only be described as the prison of motels. It's shady, to say the least. After wandering through the government housing project that is the 'hotel' we made our way to the bar. The bartenders were very nice and the atmosphere was great. If you look hard enough, you can almost see the ocean.
On to Dinner - there were 7 of us with a 730 reservation. We were seated promptly at 730 at a table near the window with a decent view of the ocean. The server was very friendly and attentive. Drinks came out fast. Our appetizers also came out quickly and they were decent, nothing to write home about, but decent. This is where the word 'quick' will be replaced with 'glacial'.
It took every bit of an hour from the time we finished our app's to when our entrees hit the table. At this point, we were annoyed, over dinner, and to top it off, the food wasn't good. I had the San Francisco Cioppino - the first mussel had the texture of a shoe. I tried to get into it but each bite got worse and worse. It had clearly sat a solid 30 minutes in a window. It was dead. I sent it back and opted to not replace it. Not one visit from a manager who HAD to have known our experience was going down hill. I had little bites of everyone else's plates and they were abysmal attempts at fine dining. The stuffed veal chop was over cooked, the king crab legs were over cooked, etc. etc.
We passed on desert and hightailed it out of there. If I were in the neighborhood I might stop in for drinks and oysters at the bar. I would highly recommend passing on dinner.
Stick with the Pizza places, you won't be disappointed and you won't be out $100 per person. -
Review from Jimmy B.
Matawan, NJ
10/28/2010
Ok first off it's not cheap. Typical entree is $25 to $35 but it's incredibly worth it. Second, the portions may look small but they are VERY filling, (yes emphasize on the very). I've never left without a bag to go from my dinner and I usually finish what I order at most places.
It's basically like a small upscale tucked-away New York restaurant transplanted on the barrier beach. If that's what you enjoy, you'll like it. If you prefer a casual, cheap vacation seafood place, don't go. Simple as that.
About 7 years and 15 visits later...not 1 complaint! -
Review from Mandy R.
Montclair, NJ
5/30/2011
Atlantic grill used to be amazing but after eating there last weekend it no longer is worth the money. Everyone at the table tried something different and ALL WERE DISAPPOINTED. From the salad to the seafood it was all bland, little flavor and too few options. they now only have about 5seafood entrees, and a ton of mediocre small plates. Your options for sides are boiled down to cheddar mash & French fries, which I had with my over cooked steak, and they were less thrilling than the ones I bake from frozen at home.
So sad to see this once great restaurant become an over priced mediocre dining experience, especially when the Nj shore has so many of those already. -
Review from Lorenzo T.
Hoboken, NJ
6/14/2010
I go here when they have the stuffed lobster special
MMMMMMmmmmmm so good!
I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
The key is the freshness of their product. -
Review from Jane M.
Danbury, CT
9/5/2011
Very good location, service and food. However, not good for teenagers with unsophisticated palates like the girls we brought - LOL. Would have been much better if it were just me and the hubby. Pricey for our group....I didn't see the bill but I could tell from my husband's expression that it wasn't what he planned on spending. Next time - we'll leave the kids home.
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Review from Amanda S.
New York, NY
10/13/2009
I stay at the IBML (hotel on the same property) almost every summer .. and I still just walk right by this place. Granted, this is the only "fine-dinning" joint almost anywhere on the island .. but Seaside vacations are no time for "fine-dinning" anyway.
Lots of money for poor quality food. Nothing special being produced from these kitchens. Hit the local hoagie shops or the boardwalk instead and make the most out of your vacation. -
Review from Ed M.
Livingston, NJ
11/30/2010
This is my favorite "treat yourself" place at the Jersey shore. We visit about 4 times a year and have never been disappointed. The food is prepared with care and is always top notch. The portions can be a bit large but who can complain about getting two meals? The view out over the beach is spectacular. The wait staff is always very attentive. It can get very busy and they don't take reservations so you might be in for a long stint at the bar.
Definitely worth the wait. -
Review from Matt R.
Lavallette, NJ
9/7/2011
I do not understand how anyone could give this restaurant a bad review!!! I am frequent to restaurants in Atlantic City (The Palm, Ruth Chris, etc) and this place by far exceeds any of them! Ive been coming here for years, not once have i had a bad experience or ate any food here that wasn't up to par with the price.
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Review from jim m.
Whippany, NJ
5/5/2010
This place is a piece of heaven on earth. Not only is is Right on the Beach.... and walking distance from my shore house but this gem is one of my top restaurants of any place that I have eating in THE WORLD... No joke. First is that the calamari is like nothing you have ever had. Tuna OMG and the Filet Mignon with blue cheese to die.. Wow... OK the deserts are something else as well. Nothing on the menu or any specials have ever been less that GREAT... but if you have to say anything bad.. and I am searching is that so many other people have found this place. The staff goes above and beyond and Mike the Master behind the flavor and Mike run a GREAT PLACE. Just wish I could eat more often... I would save up.. and skip going out three nights at an OK or above average place to eat here. Ok I would also brown bag much lunch for a week... It is that good.
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Review from Amy C.
Harrisburg, PA
8/17/2010
I almost always check out reviews on Yelp before I try a new place, especially one with prices like this but I can honestly say that I'm glad I didn't read these reviews before going.
It's situated behind a maze of "interesting" motel buildings. There is a beautiful view of the ocean if you get a good table and a cramped view of the people next to you if you don't.
My friends and I were staying at a relative's house for free so we decided to splurge on dinner here and we had WONDERFUL meals. The mahi mahi, tuna and filet were all delicious and well cooked.
The drinks were expensive but good, equal to about 2 drinks at another bar. The place was packed and the service a little slow, but we had a very enjoyable dinner.
I don't know when I will be back to get another view of this place but I hope that it is just as good if I decide to splurge on dinner here again. -
Review from Mike K.
New York, NY
9/27/2010
The only really great food in Seaside Park or surrounding area. Oysters are always great, good atmosphere. It is expensive but that is the point, it is well worth it. The only dish that I don't enjoy is the sampler because it is fried. Everything else is great.
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Review from Patricia T.
Ocean Gate, NJ
9/1/2011
We were disappointed with the new menu. Their signature dishes are no longer available such as filet mignon medallions, tuna and even the great chopped salad was replaced. can't understand how they don't have not one chicken dish on the menu. this was always our favorite place. other friends have commented how disappointed they were as well. the roasted garlic with the bread is now replaced by cloves swimming in olive oil. unless the chef is the owner, why give him so much power and lose your faithful, all year round, customers! Hope hte new chef reconsiders some of the delicious old items. Trish, OG
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Review from preston p.
Princeton, NJ
7/6/2010
We enjoy the AB&G. However, given its "sticker shock" prices, we merely sit at the bar and have salads and other "finger food". If you want lobster and other sea food, go to the local fish market at the end of the drive.
It's tough to get in the place once school is out. Doors open at 5pm and the line forms at 445pm or earlier. Bar is full within 10 minutes of opening. Either get there early, or go at 9pm or so. We usually go before the end of May or after Labor Day.
Have read many reviews about bad service. Can't comment as bar help has been good. It's a small restaurant and we've noticed how hard it is to get a table. So, like I wrote earlier, go in the off season. -
Review from gary b.
Nanuet, NY
6/17/2010
Very pricey and trendy and the portions are small.
Its lure is where its located right off the ocean with beautiful views but that will lure you into a very disappointing and expensive night.
I went a few years back and got a lobster with one claw- THEY would not get me one with 2 saying thats what they have- It was a crayfish for Gods sake it was so small and when I should have walked out-well you dont do that but it just plain sucked.
My wife was shocked I took it.
The bar is usually crowded and noisy and you know you will be paying big $ after a bender there.
We stayed at IBML too and thought that would be a great place to hang- but it would have cost us as much as the vacation itself-so go find other hang outs that have specials.
This place gives you nothing but an empty wallet.
Lets just sat it was bad a few years back so maybe it improved-maybe not?
For the cost go to the Pier House or Berkeley all right nearby and both with better reputations and food and cost!
