Me: "What do you mean there are no lobsters in Australia? You guys are famous for lobsters".
Server: "They're called crayfish".
Me: "But I thought you were also famous for those blue giant crayfish"?
Server: "You mean yabbies".
Me: "OK, so what's a marron"?
Server: "It's a fresh water giant crayfish with the taste and texture of a frog".
Me, now totally confused: "So what's a bug"?
Server: "You Americans call them slipper lobsters".
First, the Atlantic is located in the Crown Casino complex. Outstanding ingredients at a hefty price.
For the best sampling of Australian seafood, opt for the Atlantic Seafood Platter. Perfectly cooked then chilled Moreton Bay bugs (firm, sweet flesh with the texture similar to lobster ending with a stronger briny flavor), marron (toothsome, smooth texture and flavor very similar to frogs legs with no seafood finish), spanner crab (Hawaii yeeps, this is Kona crab; very sweet, juicy, good salinity), diamond clams (raw surf clams; sweet upfront with notes of cucumber finishing with a briny oceanic wash), Australian rock oysters on the half shell (creamy, briny, fresh oceanic wash), sweet jumbo prawns, and plump cooked mussels. Add a half or whole (about one kilo) perfectly cooked and chilled, uber sweet, firm crayfish and all is right in the world.
Other standouts include an excellent, simply split then grilled giant leader prawns. Barely cooked through. Grilling brings out the sweetness. The accompanying chili jam and squeeze of fresh lime brings it to life. The wood fired octopus is also excellent. Garlicky, with balanced salinity. Tender, the char adding texture and bitter notes. Finally the Moreton Bay bug spaghetti is excellent. Chunks of just cooked through bugs mixed with pasta finished in a simple EVOO, garlic, red chili flakes and fresh parsley. Simple and sublime.
Tip: Do not pass up the bar menu (available from lunch to closing). The Spanner crab toast with avocado cream and soft shell crab bao with kim chi and pickled radish are good eats!
Excellent selection of wines by the glass backed by an great by the bottle list. Heavy emphasis on approachable and unique Australian wines (sparkling shiraz anyone?), with New Zealand and France rounding out the list. Resort pricing.
Friendly and knowledgeable service. Resort proper.
Sure, prices are higher than other eateries, but The Atlantic delivers a well encompassing Australian seafood experience in one spot. read more