Dining on the Fifth

I was heavily disappointed with this place. Service is super slow here and the food portions are very small. At one point or another, I’m sure this place used to be «THE PLACE» to dine at in Atlantic City. I spent way too much money at this restaurant to get tiny portions and a watered down cocktail. Plus with the place being so deserted, I felt obligated to give a big tip to the waiter. The $ 5 happy hour is nice, but that’s about it.

My boyfriend and I went here for Valntines day. I picked it because the atmosphere looked nice and the prices reasonable. I am giving 1 star because the food was okay. The a service, however, was a mess.
When we ordered, my boyfriend asked for fries instead of mashed potatoes with his entrée. The waiter did not write anything down. After waiting for about 20 minutes, our meal was brought out and sure enough, he got mashed potatoes. We brought the mistake to his attention and were brought a basket of fries.
We also ordered two cocktails. They did not arrive for another 20 minutes. They actually arrived 10 minutes after we finished our meals. The waiter apologized and told us the cocktails would not be included in our bill. So, the wait was very long, and to top it off the entire time or water glasses were not refilled. We were parched!
But the worst part was the bill. We were charged for the basket of fries which were only supposed to be a substitute side. We were charged for the cocktails which the waiter told us we would not be. And to top it all off, we were charged TWICE for the two glasses of wine we got at the bar during our wait for a table. So, the entire bill was about twice what we should have paid — for average food and way below average service. Will not be returning.

We had a lovely time, in a large booth in front of floor-​to-​ceiling windows with views of the ocean. The food was prompt and nice enough. I had the scallops and rice, my dining companion the steak. We had no complaints about the food, but it wasn’t unexpectedly awesome either. Our waiter was super nice. The combination of location + decent enough food + prompt attention + reasonable price points made this an overall very nice evening.

The food was good, service is amazing and love the view to the beach.
I wish they would put more sides with the steak and i would love to have a sauce for it as well. But overall it is a good place to dine in.

I’m obsessed with dining on the fifth floor! It’s my family’s favorite place to go in Ac. Get the salmon and salad with the green goddess dressing. It’s amazeballs good! The drinks are also top notch with a beautiful ocean view in the background.

In general, I was pretty disappointed by this restaurant. We were 15 minutes late to the restaurant, but even after calling ahead, we had to wait for the requisite drink at the bar which took forever to get (and where were the cocktail napkins for our martinis that splashed all over the bar!) After getting our drinks, we were seated in the half empty restaurant (hmmmm why the wait?) The waitress was nice, but it took awhile to get water and bread. The food was so-​so (bypass the calamari). It was loud (thanks to the DJ???) and it was an eclectic crowd to say the least. It was just weird. I don’t think I would go back. When it was Chelsea Prime – it was excellent. I think this place has really gone down hill. They need to do much better to deserve 4 stars especially when there are SO MANY better choices in AC.

I wanted to like it here so badly! We came in, and had a drink at the bar. The wine tasted slightly vinegary — like it had been left over from the night before. We were seated and the waitress was incredibly sweet. I ordered an eggplant pasta dish and a tuna tartare to start. Tuna tartare was excellent. We appeared to be the only table not served rolls though. Once the entrees came, everything went downhill. There were approx. 4 TINY pieces of cubed eggplant in what tasted like some type of overly-​spiced sauce from a jar. So disappointing.
Oh, and you can’t order wine by the bottle — only the glass.
The atmosphere is fun though — there was a DJ playing great music and the décor is beautiful.

The food was wonderful and complemented wonderfully by the view. The only downside was that the servers seemed overwhelmed by our large group. Everyone got their meal but we had to wait a while.

This place was horrendous. The décor is beautiful but the service was meh and other patrons included a man in shorts, baseball hat, and sandals– so really distracted from the «classy vibe» other people describe. I don’t call eating across from someone in a baseball hat while I eat a $ 25 – 30 plate dinner «classy.» — whatever, not anyone’s fault.
Seared scallops were over cooked until they were tough. Bread varied from stale to undercooked? How? The orecchiette sauce tasted like Ragu. Red sauce from scratch — Is. Not. Hard.
The «white truffle oil mac and cheese» tasted like buttered noodles. (switch to Tracy Jordan’s voice:) BUTTERED NOODLES.
Everything tasted bland or highly processed (from a bottle). Bland. Bland.
The plating at this place is hilarious. The steak is exactly just a piece of meat.
Pathetic place. Want my money back. Never again.

Unilocal, you have failed me!!! This was horrible.
I researched and read the reviews and ratings for this one. It seemed like a sure deal for a fun dinner for a bachelorette party. NOT at all.
They were very friendly when I made the reservations and made it easy. That was nice. Other than that, this place is pretty rough.
The images online are tricky and make this place look retro chic with a modern twist. In real life, this is semi tacky and trying too hard. The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting and dirty too. There was a DJ, which sounded fun, but was totally awkward. He played random crappy music that no one should hear while eating food that costs more than 5 bucks. «The Humpty Dance»… Etc.
The cocktails were pretty good. Over priced as most of AC is but pretty decent. The food was another story. We started with the cheese «plate». Are you kidding me!!! $ 12 for breadsticks which one person I was with actually spit out. Tiny, tiny pieces of generic brie and cheedar. The goat cheese was meh. This was pathetic! I got the lamb sliders and the truffle mac and cheese. The sliders’ buns were stale and very, very dry. The pickles on top soaked into the top of the buns so much that the crust was peeling away. Weird. There was no sauce on these and the lamb was unseasoned. The mac and cheese (I thought) would be great! When does something with truffle fail!!! Here. It was just overly greasy and bad. No truffle flavor. Super oily and your generic mac noodle shape. Boring and a waste of truffle. IF it was in there. The other people I was with got a lot of the filets, steaks and salmon. All of which are well over 20 bucks, come with nothing– no sides, no sauce, no presentation. Just a piece of meat on a big plate.
The meal was so bad that I actually skipped dessert. Rare for me.
Lastly, beware that they will add a 25% tip with large parties. This makes the bill a wee bit more than expected. Be sure to use your Unilocal $ 5 coupon. At least some of your crappy food will be free.
The only reason I didn’t get it 1 star is that the food was edible, not good or pretty or anything. Just food.

Went with a larger group (9) and had reservations but got an area that had curtains around it so we missed out on any «view»
My entrée never came out — until we asked and finally came when everyone was about 90% done with their meal. My GF got the NY Strip and it was good. The sides were massive (spinach and mash but the mac/​cheese was small)
Because of the mistake — they gave us dessert on the house — which was nice of them — otherwise I probably would have wanted my meal comped at the very least. After ordering Dessert — they forgot to bring of them. We didnt bother after this point bc we were all full anyway. After asking and finally getting the check — no one ever came back to get it. They forgot all about us. I had to walk to the otherside of the 5^th floor with the check and request them to charge our card.
Some how charging a credit card took 10 minutes but we finally got the check and got the hell out of there.
To recap, the steak I tried was good (my friends enjoyed their salmon) — my roasted chicken was dry but that could be because they forgot all about mine. If I were to come back, I’d maybe try a smaller group. The areas with curtains around them get hot, feel isolated and they forget all about you.

**ROOFTOP POOL**
This is the closest thing you’re going to get next to a Vegas pool party.
There’s about 4 – 5 cabanas to rent out, plenty of lounge chairs, complimentary towels, cocktail servers, a decent size pool and a large DJ station right at front.
Now, the crowd & the music is much more relaxed and chill…
not so much fist pumpin’ action but overall a nice scene to be in.
Great place to hang out during the afternoon!

How is this amazing place hiding in the Chelsea. They need to open a separate steakhouse because hardly anyone I ask knows about them! Shame, since their steak was one of the best I had, ever!
They also have a weird schedule on days that they are open. Can’t wait to go back though.

The Chelsea Prime has a very Mad Men vibe to it — swanky is the word I would use to describe the atmosphere. I liked that it wasn’t ridiculously over the top, like many things in Atlantic City (lookin’ at you, Taj Mahal).
The service was excellent. Brian, the bartender, was very friendly, and John, our server, was warm, informed about the menu and wine list and professional. Our table of four all ordered steaks and shared a seafood platter as an appetizer. Everyone was very happy with their food.

The food was very good — My wife had a great New York Strip that was cooked extremely well. I ordered lamb chops, which were also great, after sending my first order back to the kitchen. The Foi Gras atop grilled peaches was delicious. Décor was OK, nothing amazing but very clean and sleek.
I would have given Chelsea Prime 3 stars had it not been for the poor service. It was not extremely crowded but our waiter was slow to respond. My lamb chops came out overcooked. When I brought it to our waiter’s attention, he made me feel as if I was inconveniencing him. I cut into the chop and showed him it was obviously well done (no pink whatsoever) when I ordered them medium rare. My wife had finished her meal before they finally came back with my lamb chops. The waiter did not stick around to make sure they were cooked properly the second time around — luckily they were. They tasted great, but killed our experience here. No table visit from a manager to follow up on the send back to the kitchen, which I would expect of a restaurant that wants to operate at this level.

I enjoyed that this was an independent steakhouse and he view over looking the ocean is fantastic, with the entire seating area set up to make every table an ocean view (just ignore the cheap motel balconies to the left). I was here with a couple buddies at a table, but a rounded booth would have been spectacular with a date.
My Bone in Rib Eye was tasty and cooked rare to perfection. The potatoes were delightful, and the homemade sauces were spectacular. The three of us each had a different favorite with the sauces so try them all. The chef even came out to say hello at the conclusion of the meal.
Strictly from the food served and ambiance, it was excellent. Where I was disappointed was some of the side selections. The creamed spinach was off the menu, my buddy was all about some au gratin potatoes which was also not an options, and we were notified they were out of asparagus after we attempted to order some. Only small potatoes in the big picture, but what really dropped me to 3 stars was our server. We could just sense the disappointment in his face when we were not drinking with our dinner, and our table $$ value might not have met his expectations despite us all coming for your finest steaks. The service level reflected that look I saw on him when we passed on the wine and liquor. Not that it should be indicative of the entire restaurant, but that was our experience. Still a quality dinner.

Me and three others stopped in here for dinner before heading to the Club.
This place is BEAUTIFUL! The décor and ambiance are classy and romantic. The music is live and Jazzy. The ocean view from our table was impeccable.
You would enjoy this restaurant if you came here on a date with your significant other or with a person/​ppl who appreciate elegance.
I ordered the 8oz filet with mashed potatoes. the steak was a bit on the dry side, but it was still enjoyable. The house steak sauce was finger licking good! lol
The potatoes were delish, as well as the creamed spinach. The mac n’ cheese was just average.
The waiter was friendly, attentive and professional.
Can’t wait to come back here on a real date. Romantic ambiance at it’s best! :)

Faithful Dining Companion, one other and I all headed there for dinner last night. We were redeeming our Living Social coupon that was about to expire. Boy am I glad I went!
First off, as others have said, it’s a beautiful place, fabulous view of the ocean, atmosphere is very mid-​century «Mad Men» modern. First, for those dining there is free valet parking (and the Valet gave me a big Birthday hug!). We were greeted quickly and graciously and our coats were swept away to coat check. At our request, we were seated at a banquette facing the ocean.
Appetizers: Lobster Bisque — rich, delicious, very generous portion. Lettuce wedge — YUM — nice combo of savory and tangy. I would’ve licked that plate if I thought I could’ve gotten away with it. Clams Casino — not on the usual menu — delectable.
Dinner: Salmon, well done, and declared very good. NY Strip dry-​aged slightly underdone but delicious and juicy. Disclaimer: I am very picky, like my steak completely well done, no pink, yes, nearly impossible to get and still have it be flavorful and juicy. They got this-​close without charring the heck out of the outside, which is a score in my book. Prawns were also very good, flavorful, and beautifully presented.
Dessert: Vanilla Crème Brûlée with cookies — very good, slightly under-​caramelized but creamy and delish. Baked Alaska — never see this anymore — was outstanding.
Service was prompt and friendly and courteous.
The few very minor wobbles — very slightly underdone steak and slightly under-​caramelized brûlée were so minor as to really not warrant any scoring issue.
It’s pricey, no doubt, but in this case you get value in quality food, good portions, beautiful atmosphere, and great service. I’ll be bringing Dear Husband, a true steak lover, back here soon!

I ate here during Atlantic City Restaurant Week. $ 33 for a 3 course meal for delicious food… can’t get any better than that! During the dinner you get to listen to a piano player and stare out the windows at the surf breaking on the shore.
I ordered the the lobster bisque as an appetizer, 8 oz. filet mignon with whipped potatoes as my entrée, and dessert to top it off! Everything was amazing! If you want to, please also order the truffle mac and cheese as a side order — it was absolutely delicious.
Probably one of the best places to eat in Atlantic City!

A few words to describe the wedding I attended at Chelsea Prime in The Chelsea over the weekend: Fab. Glam. Swank.
Truly, I was blown away by this most fabulous soirée. With about two minutes to spare before the ceremony was to begin, I peeled wheels into the valet lane at The Chelsea and tossed my full set of keys to a man I hoped was the attendant. A hotel employee directed me to the fifth floor, and when the elevator doors opened I was oh-​so-​thankful to see that the ceremony had not yet started. I planted myself in a cushy seat towards the back and waited for the nuptials to begin while making friends with my neighbors.
After a short and sweet ceremony, the wedding party and guests were directed to a bar area for a cocktail reception. As it was not yet noon, mostly everyone started with a bloody mary or mimosa. A colorful display of cheeses and various dips and tapenades were spread across a display in the center of one room, while passed hors d’oeuvres circled throughout. I thought I would wait until the reception to eat, but one glance at the sliders had me reconsidering. Perfect beef patties with melted cheese and a pickle rested on thick, slightly toasted buns. As soon as I picked one up, I retreated to a dark corner to unhinge like a snake on its prey.
Eventually, we were led to the steakhouse itself, which could have easily been the backdrop for a Mad Men scene. Fancy wallpaper, black and white photos, a circular bar and half booths with white leather cushions created a glamorous atmosphere. Best of all were the floor to ceiling windows that stretched the entire length of the room and provided a view of the ocean.
Everyone seemed happy with the food that was served during the sit-​down, but to be honest, I didn’t pay much attention as I was too busy flirting… and dancing… and drinking! The bartenders throughout the day were fantastic, and even when the reception technically ended, we were granted one last (completely unnecessary) beverage to enjoy on the way to the afterparty action.
I would definitely recommend Chelsea Prime/​The Chelsea for a wedding or other milestone event that would provide a refreshing change from the norm. Likewise, I’d also recommend the restaurant itself for an intimate dinner on a special occasion.