With all the hubbub about locavore restaurants and seasonal menus, is there still a place for the upscale chain in New York City? Atlantic Grill is out to prove that there is, and it makes a very convincing argument.

Atlantic Grill is a member of B.R. Guest Restaurants; they also run Dos Caminos, Blue Fin,  Blue Water Grill, and others in NYC and around the country.

The Upper East Side location of the restaurant is bustling and airy with an elegant atmosphere. It is a spacious, modern restaurant with a seemingly endless flow of waiters and people.

Each meal starts with warm sourdough and tangy rye bread served with creamy whipped butter.

Follow this with an order of oysters because they can never lead you astray! The selection here is always fresh and always varying. From small and creamy to large and briny, each oyster is expertly shucked and filled with wonderful oyster liquor. Enjoy the sauces served alongside, including a spicy Asian vinaigrette with chili, rice wine vinegar, and cilantro.

The herb-grilled bass with wild mushroom couscous and tomato chutney, while not groundbreaking, is expertly prepared. The fish is exceedingly fresh, and the charred skin contrasts well with the moist, flaky flesh. The chutney provides a sweet and spicy component that rounds out the dish.

Herb-grilled mahi mahi with chimichurri sauce and asparagus is another winner. Similar to gremolata, chimichurri is made with olive oil, garlic, parsley, and other herbs. It is verdant, pungent, and fresh—an ideal mate for the delicate taste of the mahi mahi.

This is not a cheap meal, but as is so often the case, you get what you pay for: generous portions, efficient service, and well-prepared pristine seafood. In the backlash against chain restaurants, Atlantic Grill manages to stand its ground by serving delicious food. As long as it keeps doing that, New Yorkers may keep chanting, “Long live the chain!”

Atlantic Grill
1341 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10021
(212) 988-9200