The Atlantic will close its doors on Wednesday 27 May, marking the end of the current chapter for the successful 30-year-old seafood restaurant. The Atlantic Founder and Managing Director Hatem Saleh has confirmed plans are underway for the next iteration in a new location.
A month-long celebration is taking place this month, featuring the dishes and moments that have defined the restaurant over the years.
Saleh says this will continue its legacy, and evolve into its next phase while staying true to the experience that has defined the restaurant for decades.
“The Atlantic has always been about great produce, great energy and creating a service experience people come back for,” says Saleh.
With signature seafood displays, an oyster bar, and menu grounded in sustainable produce, The Atlantic has been widely regarded as Melbourne’s first true “big” seafood restaurant.
Saleh first opened the restaurant in Saint Kilda when he was 21, when it quickly became known for in Melbourne’s dining scene.
That iteration closed in 2006, and Saleh later opened a reimagined The Atlantic at Crown in 2011, where it spent 15 years with 220 seats, six private dining rooms, and oyster bar and grill. Late-night bar The Den was also created, converting a portion of the basement car park to expand the venue’s footprint.
Over the years, the kitchen has been helmed by Executive Chef Steven Cumper and Jonathan Alston in its early days in St Kilda, through to Donovan Cooke, Nick Mahlook, and current Executive Chef Dannet D’Souza at Crown.
The restaurant has also hosted numerous special guests, including Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Lionel Ritchie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mariah Carey, Oprah, Matt Damon, Jon Bon Jovi, and Drake, and sporting stars such as the Manchester United soccer team and annual visits from tennis players such as Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
“From the early days in St Kilda in the 90s, to an incredible 15 years at Crown, we’ve been immensely proud to build something that has become part of Melbourne’s dining culture,” says Saleh.
“While this chapter is coming to a close, The Atlantic is not going anywhere and we’re already looking ahead to its next evolution in a new destination.”
The final celebration
To celebrate the legacy, a series of offers will take place until 27 May, with a special event on the final night of service.
From Wednesday to Friday across lunch and dinner, menu specials include a “weigh and pay”, with guests able to select their seafood, including fresh whole fish, bugs, prawns, scallops and more to create hot platters.
Running daily for lunch is a bugs and bubbles pairing, which includes the restaurant’s signature Moreton Bay Bug spaghettini served with a glass Champagne for $60.
On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, a roaming caviar cart will move through the dining room, for caviar bumps paired with a Grey Goose vodka. Freshly shucked oysters will also be available for $3.50 throughout the month.
The final service on Wednesday 27 July is a ticketed dining experience. For $325 per person, a five-course menu will showcase The Atlantic’s most iconic signature dishes, with a glass of Champagne on arrival.
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