The COVID-19 pandemic has sucked most of the romance out of our world, but there are moments to be found as restrictions lift.
My partner and I have been doing more picnics under shady trees – which is uber romantic – but we’ve also found it in one of our favourite Burnaby restaurants.
Atlas Steak + Fish, located in the same building as the Grand Villa Casino. has one of those dark and sexy vibes that make it a great place to go.
It’s the reason why Atlas, in 2020, was named one of Canada’s most romantic restaurants by OpenTable, the world’s biggest provider of online restaurant reservations.
Atlas was the only Burnaby restaurant on the list, which highlights restaurants from 31 cities across 7 provinces.
“We are honoured to be recognized on a list that celebrates a group of restaurants that continually strive for excellence with their service, atmosphere and menu offering,” said Todd Pollock, Vice President Food and Beverage at Gateway Casinos & Entertainment. “Atlas is a flirtatious and modern twist on the iconic North American Steakhouse. Our guests come here to enjoy distinctive dishes in a luxurious space – but our approach is what sets us apart. Our atmosphere is refined but relaxed and comfortable – the reason our guests keep coming back.”
I seriously fell in love with the tomahawk steak at Atlas. It’s a ginormous 48-ounce bone-in certified Angus beef steak that is hand-butchered, aged for a minimum of 40 days and grilled in a mesquite-fired Jasper oven. It’s served with Madagascar green peppercorn sauce presented at tableside.
We also love going for happy hour, where you can get succulent oysters for just a dollar each. It’s a great way to set up Burnaby’s best steak.
If you’re still cautious about eating out, Atlas has outlined the precautions it is taking now that it is open again:
• Restaurants will reduce seating capacities in order to comply with public health guidelines for safe distancing and allow for minimum of six feet between each seated group/party of guests.
• Kitchens continue to operate with the highest food safety standards and will follow all public health officials’ guidelines to ensure that facilities are clean, safe and healthy.
• New training given to employees to ensure their own health and safety as well as others.
• All tables, chairs and all tabletop items are cleaned between each seating. All high touch areas are cleaned frequently throughout the day.
• Employee wellness will be checked prior to each shift and no employee is allowed in the restaurant with any flu-like symptoms.
• Staff are washing their hands frequently with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub for at least 20 seconds.
• Kitchens, food prep stations, and dining rooms will be deep cleaned and sanitized at least once per day with continuous cleaning throughout the day. • Low and no contact payment is required. For the safety of guests and team they will not be accepting cash payments at this time.
• A separate reduced contact section will be designated for take-out and delivery options.
• Menus are available digitally and traditional menus will be sanitized after each use.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
