Atelier - Ottawa

Review summary

1. t

   tina

   Ottawa

   9 reviews

   2.0

   9 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 1

   I have loved Atelier in the past, so I was shocked at our poor experience last night. It was a Valentine menu, seven courses, which was maybe our first mistake. But they charged $300 per person, before alcohol, so we had reason to expect an exceptional experience. We didn't get one. First, the menu: 1. Japanese milk buns with matcha butter: unremarkable. 2. Hamachi crudo: this was a highlight. It was tasty and well balanced with a cool presentation. 3. Lobster bisque: this was a low point. It was flavourless in the extreme, unseasoned — embarrassing, honestly. Did anyone even taste it? 4. Manchego mouse with Iberico ham, truffle, brioche, PX glaze: this didn't work. The texture was pasty and I had to force down my last bite. The flavour was also dull (no discernable truffle, for one thing). 5. Herb crusted tenderloin, foie gras butter, celeriac, beet, brussels sprouts, pomegranate: pretty good! This was tasty, surprising and well balanced. 6. Helium sugar balloon with orange blossom and cranberry string: this was fun and tasted fine. 7. Sour cherry dome, amaretto caramel, tonka genoise, mascarpone: The main dessert seemed interesting, but wasn't remarkable, as one expects from Atelier. Meanwhile, the room we were in (upstairs beside an apparent staging area) is best described soul sucking. I get that Atelier is stripped down, and that's never bothered me. But there was nothing to be excited about in the ambiance — nothing to suggest warmth, conviviality or that we were being treated to a special experience. The last straw for me was when I visited the rest room and the walls were very much in need of cleaning. There were splatter streaks of... something, clearly built up over time. It was pretty gross, and not what one reasonably expects during an $800 dinner. We were deeply disappointed and kind of shocked.
   

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2. M

   Maria

   Vancouver

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   This was my second time visiting atelier, and I gotta say that I was a little bit disappointed. The first time I went the menu was so creative, delicious and the portions were still small but not miniature as this last time. The service as always is great, that has stayed consistent. And as always the food was good, I was just disappointed by how ridiculous small most of the dishes were, like a portion of cured salmon was way smaller than a Toonie and extremely thin. I know gourmet food ain’t for ending up with a food coma, but at least I was expecting to be a bit satisfied. I think that even if the portion are doubled in size or something similar then it would be worth the price. I would still recommend it to try it at least once as it’s the only one of its kind in ottawa but only if you don’t have the opportunity to go to Toronto and Montreal
   

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3. V

   Vanessa

   Ottawa

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 9 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Fabulous experience! Everything looked and tasted fantastic.
   

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4. L

   Lori

   Ottawa

   7 reviews

   5.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on 8 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   I cannot say enough positive things about this experience. The food was absolutely delicious - every bite contained a burst of flavour. It is hard to believe such small bites contained so much flavour and decadence, but each course amazed us. Our sever and sommelier were incredibly knowledgeable and pleasant. It was an incredible experience that I recommend everyone try. As we were celebrating my birthday, I was even presented with a special birthday treat. A night to remember.
   

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5. J

   Jesse

   Calgary

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 1 February 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   The exceptional food made for a wonderful experience at the end of my work trip. I'll definitely be back.
   

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6. E

   Edgar

   New York City

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 30 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Tasting menu was delicious What an amazing amount of detail.
   

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7. E

   Erik

   Ottawa

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 24 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was a return visit to Atelier for my wife and I, and we brought friends. The menu had new elements, and some familiar ones, and it was absolutely amazing! The food, ambience, service was exceptional. The attention to detail in everything, the decor, the setting, the --incredible-- details in each serving, carefully layering ingredients for full sensory experience in every bite. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, we want to return with more friends. A life experience.
   

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8. S

   Susan

   Atlantic Canada

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 19 January 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 3

   The service was great and the food was pretty. Unfortunately, the taste was missed in many dishes (it seemed like the focus was making the food look great, rather than taste great) and the interior of the restaurant showed many signs of wear (streaks on the walls, paint missing in spots). Definitely did not meet our expectations for $250/person.
   

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9. J

   Jocelyne

   Ottawa

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on 19 January 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wow wow wow! What more can I say! What an amazing experience. Every bite was a delicious and cannot wait to go again!!! Cocktails were excellent, service was flawless and wine recommendations were spot on!
   

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10. F

    Francine

    Ottawa

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 18 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4

    Got a gift certificate as a Xmas gift! WOW what a great experience! Food was awesome and plenty of it! I would recommend trying it at least once!
    

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