Such a wonderful dining experience - from the amazing food to the character-filled building with a story, and the talented, knowledgeable staff who welcome you in and ensure you have a great time. A special shout-out to the manager, Derrick, who makes a point of taking care of everyone, and the adorable young waitress, Kendal, who patiently answered all our questions about the building and food with warm finesse that made the night so memorable. read more

Still a winner but watch out because the price can sneak up on you if you order faster than you eat. Reservations made well in advance is a must unless you're going at less popular times. Unfortunately parking is always a challenge because of reserved parking so plan ahead and come early if I have a reservation. Lots of steps leading up into the building but there is a ramp for handicap access. Kids were in town so we were visiting all our favorite places. Blue Atlas tapas style variety is always a hit with us. The only disappointment this time was the Elote dumplings. They were basically just corn gnocchi. Not a terrible flavor, but wouldn't bother ordering again. We started with some pretty fun cocktails, and a highlighted wine which I wish I could remember the name of...i think it started with N...It was a light bodied wine with mild floral notes, and a Prosecco feel without the bubbly that went perfect with all the plates. For cocktails, we got tea ceremony, la Siesta, Nicolada. I loved la Siesta and Tea ceremony for their uniqueness and smooth delivery. My son has a sweet tooth for cocktails, which the Nicolada fit but probably a little too sweet for me. For food we got the ever reliable pork belly Bao buns -a bit on the pricey side when you have to order extra to serve a table of four at $6 each, Next the aforementioned elote dumplings, -tacos de trucha which was good but not my favorite, -hanger steak, -Malaysian fried chicken - delicious and a good deal, -shish Barak; unique, and very tasty, -Vietnamese prawn toast, which was delicious , - -steamed mussels- good and enjoyed by most, and the -tortilla Española; solid but underwhelming compared to everything else. Also ordered the Brie special with toast that I loved but some of us got part of the rind which there was a lot of so wasn't as enjoyable for them but the flavors were there. Would've liked a few more heavy protein options but this did not affect our enjoyment of the meal. The hanger steak exceeded my expectations. I'm not always up for steak, but this was done perfectly and well accompanied with a marinated summer squash, cherry tomatoes, and pickled peppers. For dessert we got the ice cream sandwich and the chocolate banoffee budino. They were all out of the Black Forest meringue, so unfortunately, we could not try that. The ice cream sandwiches were a hearty serving and enjoyed by everyone at the table, but I thought the banoffee budino was the best. Unique and very tasty. Would have ordered one to have by myself if I wasn't so full lol. read more

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What a beautiful spot ! I loved the fact that it was inside of an old school building, reminded me of the days of back when I went to school in a building built in the early 1900's. The seating is both indoors and outside, absolutely astonishing spots. The staff are friendly and chatty and quick with their services ! Absolutely a lovely spot for yummy coffee AND yummy food. Most places have either or- they have BOTH! Will be returning more than I'd like to admit hehe. read more

Blue Atlas - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Even if you don't get a spot on their gorgeous patio, their food alone will keep you coming back. Menu is seasonal and it's always a treat to go to see what new delicious foods are available. Their menu items are inspired by a variety of international cuisines with a level of respect. Knowing this, it really makes you savor your meal. I get sad that it's not permanent, but I'm also excited for what's next to enjoy for my next visit. I have not been disappointed by their food once. Also, so very RVA of them to set up a restaurant in a beautifully renovated grade school. Also very apt! It's like going to geography class run by classically trained chefs. I always forget to take photos because it is so pleasantly easy to enjoy the present at Blue Atlas and I immediately enjoy their food as soon as it's put down in front of me. If I had to describe Blue Atlas in one word it would be "intentional." Intentional food, design, atmosphere, and being in your own intentional experience because it's hard not to. read more

Came back here for my birthday and had a wonderful time. We were able to sit outside this time and it was gorgeous out. I ordered an espresso martini off menu and it was delicious. We ordered everything off the menu minus the mussels, the Napa salad, and the tacos. Even with 6 of us sharing everything we were so stuffed at the end! The waitress was very nice. The one food runner seemed new as he was a bit awkward but it didn't bother us. read more

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My boyfriend and I were dying to find a good patio spot to enjoy this nice weather and Blue Atlas was absolutely perfect! This was our first time checking out the spot and the patio was picturesque, especially with us timing our Friday evening reservation with sunset. Our server, Sara, was friendly and attentive. Both her dish recommendations made our order and we were glad they did! Speaking of food, we started with the simple salad. We also tried the harissa cauliflower and burrata toast per Sara's suggestions. All was delicious but the cauliflower was exceptional. The harissa sauce was a perfect balance of spicy yet sweet. For mains, we sampled the Gochujang noodles as well as the Tacos De Trucha. The noodles left a bit to be desired but the trout tacos were phenomenal. My cocktail and Shane's beer were also light and refreshing. We definitely hope to return! A great spot for an outdoor meal! read more

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Delicious food with lots of vegetarian and vegan options! I enjoyed the around the world theme of the menu and would definitely come back for their quarterly vegan takeover night. It is located in a former school building which is interesting but the actual interior of the restaurant was nice. While we enjoyed all the dishes we ordered, our favorite was the harissa cauliflower. Our server was very friendly and attentive. He even noticed that we weren't drinking that day from our mocktail order and brought out a non alcoholic champagne to celebrate my occasion! Very thoughtful, 10/10 recommend. read more

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Located in an old school house, Blue Atlas is a beautifully designed restaurant and daytime market. Seated on the side with their coffee bar for brunch, the cute lighting, decor and excellent service was clear from the start. A variety of regions featured on their menu makes for a great range of flavors and dish experimenting with friends. An incredible cocktail menu and curated drink selection, we had one of their orange wines and the Femme Fatale. Both visually beautiful and complex, complimented our dishes to come. We tried the georgian flatbread, a dish of bread in the shape of an eyeball esque with a center featuring multiple cheeses, herbs and a soft egg. Bread was beautifully baked with the complimentary inside, full of cheesy goodness and a runny yolk, whats to complain about. We also had the Tom Kha, a flavorful red curry featuring shrimp, mussels, peppers and mushrooms. This came with a freshly baked flatbread and you only wish you had more. This curry was worth soaking up every drop with beautiful flavors and an unexpected bit of spice that kept you wanting more. The food was delicious, the service was attentive and I just wish we were hungrier for more. Not only would I recommend, I hope to go back. Only bummer-that the market isnt available throughout the restaurant open hours-I know we might have left with a treat had they been. Tip: show up hungry or with multiples to get a real taste test of the incredible menu options-try visting all the menu regions. Revisit during the day for purchasing some of the wine/beer selections listed on their menu to take home. read more

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I'm a blue atlas fan! The biscuit sliders are great, most of the breakfast items are good. I've not really done the dinner menu. A bit hard to get a reservation sometimes, but that speaks to its popularity. Staff is very friendly. Coffee is good, but I think it could be a bit better. Great view on a nice day! read more

Our first time at Blue Atlas and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Staff were groovy and kind, the dining area was swanky, and we had a wonderful time at their Vegan Takeover. The dinner portions are tapas style (can't speak for their other meal times), so we ordered 3 dishes and they were all so well done and delicious! Our favorite was the peanut noodle dish, it had such a rich umami flavor profile - yum! It was all so good and I'd definitely recommend visiting for a nice night out to try some really well-made dishes read more

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We decided to go here last minute, so I called to make reservations. They could accommodate us at the bar. Nico and Reese were attentive and excellent at their profession. The food was delicious and unique. The place has lots of little nooks and crannies for tables and outside seating in a beautiful area. I highly recommend. read more

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I don't remember the details about Blue Atlas. I can't tell you who served us, how we interacted with them, or what we talked about. In fact, I don't even remember what we ordered. It's funny, you know what I do remember? I remember the way it made me feel. The food was warm and filling. The people were kind. The service was excellent. The ambiance and decor were inviting. We are going back soon to jog our memories about what we got, and maybe try something new. read more

Blue Atlas is one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond, especially for seafood. The conceit is simple and clever. The menu rotates through at least four countries at a time, so each visit feels like a small itinerary of sharing plates. Atlas is the right name. You take a little trip while you eat. The setting adds to the charm. The restaurant lives inside an old school building, which is as unusual as it sounds. You come through the front doors, walk a hallway past what look like administrative restrooms, and step into a lively room connected to a bottle shop. Out back there is a patio with gardens and long views toward quieter parts of the city. It is vibrant, welcoming, quirky in the best way. The wine list is small but thoughtful, with a pretty fair range by the glass. What keeps me coming back is how consistently well the kitchen threads flavor, balance, and restraint across styles. Steamed mussels arrive in a sauce that is concentrated and clean rather than salty or muddled. The Georgian flatbread is properly sumptuous. The shumai with carrot and ginger purée are bright and delicate. Scallops are seared right, then set in a green curry that privileges aromatics and layered flavor over heat. I have also had a French inflected lobster salad folded into crêpes with celery root purée, preserved lemon, sorrel, and a brown butter vinaigrette, and it hit that sweet spot where richness and acidity meet and neither shouts. It felt genuinely French, as much as the other dishes truly felt like they could have been served in the countries that inspired them. It would be easy for a globe-trotting menu to feel scattered. Here it coheres. Techniques are careful, seasoning is judicious, and the seafood is treated with respect. I plan to return whenever I can. read more

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Love how this space really prides itself on cultural exploration & most of the dishes are very well executed, maximizing on flavor and depth with attention to detail in presentation. The service is always really good. For the first time, I tried this spot for breakfast and I was absolutely smitten!! Breakfast: Breakfast biscuit sliders - fluffy, flaky buttermilk biscuit. They had me at homemade, and they'll bring me back with the perfect execution & texture on that biscuit! Vegan breakfast burrito - it can be challenging to get a hardy, filling meal when dining vegan so I love how much stuff they actually put into the burrito. Everything complimented and nothing overpowered! * I also added the lamb meatball and Mezzeh platter to my breakfast meal - highly recommend Dinner: Lahmacun - exceptional Mezzeh platter - very well balanced and flavorful! Crispy harissa cauliflower - a little heavy on the harissa, only lightly crispy, but pretty decent execution Vegan bao buns - absolutely loved these....but would be even better with homemade bao Dan Dan noodles - the noodles had a really great texture, but the sauce could've used a little more depth; a great, light dish, but I wouldn't order again Cachapas - while I absolutely love Venezuelan cuisine, these just weren't authentic enough for me *Definitely try everything from the North African & Middle Eastern region of the menu. read more

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We came in for counter service brunch. I got the frittata and my husband got the breakfast burrito. Both were so delicious and made with fresh ingredients. Everything was perfectly seasoned. Our cortados were perfection as well. You have your choice of milk too. Their market area is full of drink options as well as grab and go items. We went on a rainy day, but their patio had a beautiful view and great ambiance. Inside the schoolhouse is lovely and cozy too. read more

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Food and service are always completely on target. The view and the outside seating make this one of Richmond's special places for Al fresco dining! Even the building itself lends to the unique character. Food portions are adequate and the food choices I think are excellent. Representing various international regional cuisines. Fun to hop from one continent to another. Drink selections are also very good and include a nice selection of non alcoholic beverages. read more

This place is a hidden gem in Richmond, I am so glad my sister in law recommended this place. This interesting place is built inside an old school. I am already in love with the concept. We came in with no reservation but they accommodated us either way. We just had to sit in the couch, but I was fine with it. I really wanted to experience the food! Of course, the food did not disappoint! We had the tuna on their dinner special. It was delicious, however, they didn't mention it had shrimp so the manager spoke to me and gave me a Benadryl and offered to comp the meal. We said they didn't have to do that much. All the food is delicious. Our favorite was the cauliflower. Would definitely mark this as one of my fave spots to go to when in Richmond! read more

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Would Blue Atlas classify as a hidden gem? I've never had a bad time here, and I definitely don't go as often as I should! The service is always great, the patio views are amazing, and they have delicious food. I like that the menu rotates every so often, so I never have the same thing twice. read more

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The food was really good! I went with a group of people so we shared our dishes since they were small plates. We tried the pork baos which was my favorite, the scallops, the phyllo wrapped feta, the harissa cauliflower and Jamaican jerk chicken. Everything was tasty! The service was great too. The parking and finding the building can we tricky though. It's in an old school building in the middle of a neighborhood. You can't park in the parking lot but there's plenty of street parking. Overall it's a good place to get different types of food read more

This was maybe the best food I've ever had in my life. We got crispy tofu in a maple miso sauce, Korean potato, eggplant moussaka, samosa with lentil stew, shish barak Mediterranean dumplings, London fog pudding, and parsnip cake with walnut buttercream. We came for a "vegan takeover" / we know the menu changes up all the time so don't expect to get these menu items! But I now feel confident all their food would be wonderful. What a cool spot, located in an old school building, with a chef who clearly knows what they're doing. Our waiter was very informative and friendly. The food came out kind of one dish at a time which was nice. If you can go around sunset, definitely do. Great view. We had no trouble finding a designated parking spot in the lot, but there aren't many of them. It's not cheap but SO worth it. read more

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Blue Atlas Restaurant and Market is situated in a renovated school building, and its interior is split into a bar-restaurant hybrid and small market setup. I had an early Saturday dinner reservation, and it was my favorite meal during a weekend visit in Richmond. The restaurant is known for a rotating menu with family-style, shared plates featured from American, Asian, African, and European cuisines. Each dish we shared was delicious, but I have to praise the Clam Chowder Pot Pie and Steamed Bao Buns in particular. The pork belly in the bao were crispy and flavorful, and the pot pie was an excellent closer to our meal. I also enjoyed the kick from the Cauliflower and hot honey glaze for the Nashville Chicken. Service was also quick and attentive, and I appreciated how they often adjusted the blinds behind the tables since we were dining close to sunset. I also appreciated their care to first-time diners like myself, and they gave great suggestions for my drink order and which dishes complement each from the menu. read more

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As my friend and I drove to Blue Atlas, she became concerned that we were in the wrong place. Nope, this restaurant/cafe is inside an old school with a *stellar* overlook of Richmond. The ambiance alone gets five stars. It was brunchtime when we arrived, and my tastebuds were set on the tofu banh mi. It was the tastiest and truest representation of this Vietnamese sandwich, knocking off the other contender who once held the title of "Best Vegetarian Banh Mi" in my book. There was even mushroom pate on it! I'm sad I'm a plane ride away from this sandwich, but it's important that the Yelpisphere knows it exists. Go try it for yourself and rave all about it! read more

One of my favorites! Had a big birthday party here a few years back and it was amazing!

Excellent food and service. Cocktails were great, too! Sitting outside to watch the sunset was an unbeatable environment. We will be back. read more

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This was my first time visiting blue atlas and it definitely will not be my last. I came in for happy hour. Very nice ambiance on the smaller side however it was connected to an apartment complex so it definitely makes sense. I started off with an espresso martini which was very good. One of the better ones I've had in Richmond. The bartenders were very attentive and nice and very helpful. I tried the bao buns off the happy hour menu. They were good but the texture was a little different for me. Wednesdays they have wine tasting as well as 10% select wines. I will definitely be back read more

Blue Atlas - Scallops - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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While I don't have recent pictures to post of Blue Atlas, I have frequented this restaurant many times. Their food and service is always top notch and their drinks do not disappoint either. Their menu is always changing, but you should generally expect small plate/tapas style dining. I deeply want them to bring back their fried chicken (I had it years ago, but it was fried in some mixture - I suspect cornstarch and rice flour) and had the most delicate yet crispy skin that I still think about when I want a little pollo frito today. Highly recommend you check it out if you're thinking about it. read more

This business, as well as other businesses and/or apartments, are in an old school. It is off the beaten path. There are only a few parking spaces for customers of the restaurant and 3 of the 8 or so spaces are for short cars as there is a brick wall in front of them. We were told that they have a menu with food from different countries, that is only true at dinner. Breakfast and lunch is a limited menu. You order from the register area and then your food and drinks are brought to your table. The ambience was fine and there is outside seating as well. The bar looked fully stocked. We both ordered a lamb sandwich which was in a pita. The lamb was shredded and had little taste. The most you could taste on the sandwich was the hummus. It had mixed greens, small tomatoes and some sort of salad dressing. You got one side, there were four to choose from and all but one had an up charge that we weren't told of. So two $13 sandwiches one with tater tots and one with mixed green salad, one cup of coffee and one cup of chai came to $49+. I was overall, not impressed. Maybe the dinner menu with its choices of food and a better dessert option would be better. read more

Went to Blue Atlas for dinner and was very impressed. Small plates concept with offerings from four regions. Good portions for sharing. Well spiced and flavorful. Happy hour 3-6 with fun cocktails and good wine. Loved the desserts. Waitstaff friendly and efficient and can make suggestions. Has a patio. Coffee and pastries on morning menu. Already made reservation to return. read more

Literally my fav restaurant in the city. We go here with friends, coworkers, on dates, to celebrate birthdays. All the plates being shareable make it a fun meal to share with people you enjoy. Their cauliflower is a must get every time no doubt. I recommend attending one of their themed nights to try something new. read more

What a cool space! Located inside a school, Blue Atlas is a trendy cafe with an event space on one end and a cafe on the other with bites and coffee/tea. I ordered a hazelnut latte, which sadly, was not good. It tasted burnt. BUT the space and concept is interesting. I think it's worth a visit. read more

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What can I say, unique location with an amazing view of city. I will probably return. Food and veggie options were amazing. Given we were there for brunch, the service was limited at best, it is self serve and you order at the register and seat yourself. Which makes my biggest issue the "cork fee" and why they got a one star hit. Location and view of Richmond deserves - 5 stars Staff and vibe - 5 stars Food - 5 stars $30 corkage fee on a $20 bottle of wine I bought from them... at thier own shop to me thats a bit excessive so -1 star Thus the four stars.. If your not wanting to buy wine from thier counter. 5 Stars. That they have an amazing selection of wine ;) Owners.. seriously.. paying over a 150% over the cost of the bottle for corkage AND I bought it from you, and had to pay for it at register and walk it out. If this were a full service resturant or if I were bringing my own wine, it could be understandable but thats not the case here I bought it from you. read more

Wow. What a great spot. On a less hot day, sitting outside with a view of the city would be spectacular! Being steamy, we sat inside the cool high ceilings and enjoyed the clean views and fun atmosphere. The waitstaff is very swift and knowledgeable about all the choices. The sauces are really amazing, the squash is delicate and delightful, but the fried artichokes, spectacular. Lamb toast is really delicious, a favorite for many folks. The cauliflower with harissa has a nice kick. Yummy bao buns. Gyoza is four to split and the mushroom spring rolls were a hit. The steak slices are easy to share. By the enchilada, I was getting full, but the desserts were too tempting. We didn't try the Georgian flatbread, so next time. Creative cocktails and mocktails. The chocolate and pistachio dessert, really fine. I love a place that really has great tea and the right sized (generous) tea cups. Do get reservations. read more

10/10 food, drinks, ambiance, and service! First we dropped in for free wine tasting with no intention of sitting down to dine but it was such a cute place I was won over by the aesthetics and smell of the restaurant. We sat at the bar and were served by Derek. He was AWESOME!! He helped us navigate the menu and explained the international aspect of the menu and gave an overview of the owners background. He recommended the cauliflower which was incredible! Though spicy, it's offset with a fruity jam on the bottom. The mussels were great quality. None closed, none empty. The fries on top were different but divine(I'm a potato head). I can't wait to come back and have a full dinner though even sharing these two appetizers were a bit filling. Lastly my lychee cosmo was everything! I love st. Germain and it's usually accompanied with gin but I also love vodka so this was the PERFECT cocktail for me! P.S. Blue Atlas might have one of the best city sunset views. I'll return to confirm with photo!! read more

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I came here for vegan takeover and was sooo impressed! I got a Lychee Cosmo as my beverage and it was fantastic, my colleague had the Autumn Apricot which was also very good. We ate family style and ordered one of everything to sample. Everything was so flavorful and I was particularly impressed with the yummy textures and complex flavors of the dishes. The standouts for me were - Celery Root Tartar Burmese Samosa - the coconut lentil stew it came with was to die for Eggplant Moussaka Shish Barak Parsnip Cake The ambiance was great too, it was busy in there but didn't have a chaotic or overstimulating effect. read more

Blue Atlas - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Let me rave about Blue Atlas for a minute! Any time I go to Blue Atlas it is a delicious joy - the restaurant is airy, bright and pretty - the service is always so nice and helpful - the food is delicious, unique and worthy of seconds (which I did in fact order a second plate of the boa buns last time I went because they were so delicious - the buns reminded me of a chick fila mini biscuit, and the sauce was sweet). It is a sharing menu so just got reference we ordered 6 dishes for 3 of us last time we were there. The must tries for me are the boa buns, harrisa cauliflower, phyllo feta, Georgian flatbread - there's more but I wanted to not list the whole menu. Definitely go try it, it's delicious!! read more

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In the Fulton Hill neighborhood at the end of Union Avenue sits a historic schoolhouse. What was once a place of learning is now a charming restaurant called Blue Atlas. If you sit outside on their covered portico, weather permitting, you'll be rewarded with a great view of lower Richmond. Specifically, you get a nice view of the Church Hill/Chimborazo area off in the distance. We dined there in early September to celebrate a birthday. The weather cooperated and we were treated with a gorgeous sunset. The view can't be understated, it was that nice. The food was equally as wonderful, and I wholeheartedly agree with my fellow Yelpers regarding the food. Yelp got it right when it comes to Blue Atlas. The best way to describe the food is to quote them directly: "Our mission is to showcase the diversity of our products by highlighting the ingredients in differing cultures across the globe. With health and wellness as one of our core values we also strive to provide a clean-eating experience. We truly believe that we are what we eat and if we focus our efforts on promoting the health of the people it will reflect on the health of the world." In this Yelpers' opinion Blue Atlas is succeeding in their mission. I highly recommend the Nashville Hot Chicken, the phyllo wrapped feta, and beef dumplings. read more

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I love blue atlas - from the concept to the food everything is executed to perfection! Their menu is segmented by region and dishes are meant to be shared. The selection changes season to season so there's an opportunity to try something new every time. The restaurant is located in an old school building, perched on top of a hill. It's the best place to watch the sunset! Service has always been great! read more

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This worldly restaurant focuses on global cuisine and is tucked into an old school house. As soon as you walk in you are transported back in time to your school years. The hallways are lined with old student desk and creaking floors. Once you cross the threshold into Blue Atlas you are greeted by warm woods, bright lights and cozy tables. The inside of the restaurant is very small. They have a market on one side and the bar and main dining area in on the other side. They also have outdoor seating on the lawn outside. Be sure to make a reservation to secure your table. The menu is inspired by global cuisine and it changes frequently. The plates are small tapas plates that you can share. We tried a little of everything. Each dish was better than its predecessor!! We were blown away. We had wontons, Nashville hot chicken, corn cakes with queso and squid ink pasta just to name a few. This was one of the best meals I've ever had! I cannot wait to go back for dinner and try breakfast one morning! Check them out. read more

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My companion selected Blue Atlas as the venue for her birthday celebration. I had never heard of it but I did expect table service. Brunch was being served and we ordered at the counter, carried our beverages to the table ( water is at a separate station), and waited for the food to arrive. Staff only ring up the order and walk the food to the table. They never check back, Considering the effort required for table service, a 20% tip for this seems excessive to me, My complaint is really about the food. I had the veggie frittata, which was overdone, dry, and unappealing. My companion had avocado toast and it didn't look appetizing either. She didn't say one word about her brunch, but she did ask to go straight to Shyndigz for a big dessert. I won't be going back. c read more

Had an amazing time for a friend's event! Food was perfect with so many creative dishes. Drinks were amazing and staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. Definitely a great first impression, can't wait to be back read more