The latest installment to the Atlantic Hotel & Spa’s premier waterfront restaurant location is the Italian-inspired causal eatery, Coastal. Following an extensive overhaul, the popular dining destination was officially unveiled last month, featuring a contemporary coastal inspired décor with modern pastel colors and wood grain table tops for a casual, but elegant feel. The overall layout of the restaurant remains the same as its predecessor, seating 84 guests indoors, and 56 guests outdoors on the restaurant’s terrace.
Filet Mignon
Lobster Milanese
The nicely balanced menu, developed by Executive Chef Rocco Honig, features classic favorites from land and sea, Amalfi Shrimp, salads including Mediterranean Salad, piadina (Italian flatbread) including the Clams a la Vongole, and entrées such as the filet mignon crusted with gorgonzola, alongside roasted fingerling potatoes, as well as twists on popular classics, like the lobster Milanese entrée with arugula, parmesan cheese, tomato and shaved, the swordfish meatballs with piccata, artichokes, and capers, as well as the house-made ricotta gnocchi (made with flour instead of potatoes for a lighter finish) with Sicilian pesto cream and toasted pine nuts.
There is a Coastal Sharing menu, served family-style for tables of six or more. The menu includes Home Style Meatballs, platters of Italian meats and cheeses, Caesar Salad, Chicken Milanese, Rigatoni Bolognese, Sautéed Yellow Tail Snapper.
Tiramisu
Coastal prides itself on having a new dessert menu everyday. An array of house-made favorites, developed and executed under the guidance of pastry chef, Donna Silverthorn, a hold over from the hotel’s prior restaurant, stole the show. A white chocolate raspberry bread pudding flanked by scoops of other worldly vanilla ice-cream (also house-made), as well as a Baileys crème brulee exceeded the night’s expectations. Silverton, whose carrot cake is considered one of the best among South Florida’s culinary community, continues to take her mastery of pastries and desserts to the next level, and is definitely “one to watch.”
The wine, beer and cocktail menu provide a wide range of choices for the most discerning tastes and budgets. A comprehensive wine list offers selections from boutique California favorites to popular Italian reds.
Coastal is a nice addition to Fort Lauderdale’s blossoming culinary landscape. You’ll come for the ambiance and the extensive and reasonably priced menu, but you’ll undoubtedly return for the desserts!
Coastal is located at The Atlantic Hotel & Spa, at 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. For more information, visit www.eatcoastal.com. For reservations, please call (954) 567-8070.