Atlantis Opening

Atlantis Hotel had a $20 million star-studded opening the day I left. We were very fortunate to get to eat there three days before, at their fancy seafood restaurant Ossiana. From their website:

"Santi Santamaria, the three star Michelin chef, offers gourmet seafood and a seductive ambience in the underwater world of Atlantis. In his first venture outside Europe, the ‘Architect of Food’ offers an intensity of flavours and a focus on technique with his Catalan cuisine in an elegant space inspired by the ocean depths. It’s the perfect location for an intimate dining experience, with unmatched views of the exotic marine life of the Ambassador Lagoon."

Chris called ahead and was told that the dress code is formal. YAY! Time to break out the prom dress!!!! The four of us - Carleen, Chris, Roman and I - glammed it up and hopped in a taxi for the unexciting 15 minute ride to the tippy tip of the Palm Jumeirah. The Atlantis is on the breaker that surrounds the palm, connected to the trunk by crazy tunnel. I had nightmares of the walls breaking and seawater flooding in, but we made it through just fine.

As we drove the final stretch to the hotel, we saw car a mile-long line of cars parked along the side of the road. Apparently they don't have much parking there. Ha. Pulling up to valet we saw all sorts of fancy. It's the cheesey Atlantis chain, WAY Vegas-y and over the top. The people are divided into 2 obvious groups: fancy schmancy overdressed (diamonds and black tie) and American casual (tank tops and flip flops). Kids running around, screaming, while their parents don't even have the decency to pretend they care. Tourists and locals taking photos in every possible area... it was something.

The dinner was amazing. We had a table right by the giant fish tank. We each ordered 2 courses, but the chef sent out so many tastings that we ended up with (no lie) 9 courses. Deeeeelicious! Part of the reason it was so good, was that it was extremely fresh. Sadly, they actually kill the fish after you order. That was a little hard to think about, but I forgot about it as soon as little Nemo arrived, cooked and looking quite tasty, to my table.

Here's a quick overview of our meal:

1- Amuse bouche - beet puree with yogurt

2- Canapes - tomato with cheese, mushroom tart, crab on fruit, peach with macadamia nut-daikon radish with caviar

3- Zucchini flowers with goat cheese

4- Boullibase (my app)

5- Hamachi

6- Cod (bacalao) with hummus and quail egg

7- Seabass with baby artichokes and pumpkin puree (my entree)

(Carleen and Chris had grouper - Roman had turbot with lamb and lentils)

8- Cheese plate

9- Assorted dessert sampler - 6 different dessert bites, like little truffles or canapes made from chocolate and assorted fruit and nut flavors