Review: Atlantic Prime Coastal Kitchen — Franklinton, NC
Rating: 4.75 out of 5 Hearts ❤️
Opened: July 2025
Brought to you by: The restaurateurs behind Franko’s Steak House: Justin Bee, Nunzio Scordo, Keith LoGrande, Joe Farrell, and Steven Hayes.
Giving New Restaurants Time to Shine
We always give new spots a little breathing room before writing a review. It’s only fair—let them settle in, iron out service quirks, and find their rhythm. Atlantic Prime Coastal Kitchen has had that time, and we were eager to see what they had to offer.
Parking
Downtown Franklinton has become quite the hotspot, and street parking is now tricky. Occasionally, the lot next to Franko’s has space, but this time we parked behind Owl’s Roost and strolled over. A minor inconvenience for a good meal!
First Impressions: Decor & Ambience
Step inside and you’re transported to a chic coastal escape. Think:
Aquamarine tufted booths
Soft blue and white walls
Sand-colored tile floors
Plentiful greenery
A whimsical wall of painted oars
A single swordfish photo over the kitchen pass
Warm, golden pendant lights casting a soft, moon-like glow
Marine-themed table lamps and navy napkins for contrast
The vibe is breezy, upscale-casual — perfect for seafood-centric dining.
Reservations & Service
We called late Thursday for a party of seven on Friday. Anna, the manager, answered with warmth and professionalism. She even asked if we were celebrating anything special — we casually mentioned we write a food blog, which may have helped us land a well-lit table (always appreciated for photos!).
Tiffany, our server, handled our large group with ease. She was attentive, informed, and efficient — from answering menu questions to splitting the check without missing a beat.
Drinks: Sips that Satisfy
Cocktails and wines were thoughtfully prepared and delivered by Anna:
Berry Margarita (with Mijenta tequila & sugar rim): Pretty in pink and sweet
Gin & Tonic (Bombay Sapphire): Refreshing, though I wished they had my favorite — Drumshanbo
Bullet Rye Manhattan: Well-balanced with a Luxardo cherry
White Wines: Crisp Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio
Appetizers: From Good to Crave-Worthy
We tried a wide spread — and some appetizers truly stood out.
🥇 1st: Calamari with Fried Poblanos
An absolute showstopper. Lightly battered, both tentacles and rings gave textural variety, and the crispy poblanos added a fiery kick. The red onion was a beautiful contrast and added flavor. Best calamari in the Triangle, and that’s from someone who cooks it at home.
🥈 2nd: Grilled Octopus
Bright, fresh, perfectly grilled, served over greens with a remoulade drizzle. Lovely and balanced.
🥉 3rd: Fried Clam Chowder
A surprise hit! Creamy broth with crispy fried clam strips — a creative twist, and it worked.
4th: Crab Cakes
Nice chunks of crab, well-cooked, but the pico topping didn’t quite match. A creamier sauce would’ve elevated it.
5th: Lobster Hush Puppies
Golden, sweet, and lovely — but didn’t quite live up to the hype.
6th: Baked Oysters Trio (Pimento, Casino, Bienville)
Sadly, the table’s least favorite. Lacked punch and remained mostly uneaten.
Bonus: Onion Dip & Homemade Chips (w/ Caviar on the Side)
Creamy, onion-packed dip with crisp homemade chips. The chip-to-dip ratio was off, but extra chips were offered. Adding caviar? Heavenly.
Entrees: Mostly Hits, One Miss
✅ Snapper (Sub for Sea Bass)
This night they had run out of the Sea Bass so they substituted it for Snapper. It was cooked well, beautiful presentation. A solid main.
✅ Ahi Tuna
Fresh and precisely seared, served over black-eyed peas — an unusual pairing we didn’t expect, but appreciated.
✅ Salmon
Grilled with finesse, served over greens and rice. Light, with a Mediterranean flair.
❌ Roasted Chicken (for the non-seafood eater)
This dish was the meal’s only real letdown.
Served as dark meat (not clearly stated)
Excessively oily, possibly confit-style
Side of potatoes was also greasy
Though untouched, it still appeared on the bill — disappointing, especially after feedback was given
Desserts: Sweet Redemption
We ordered three desserts, seven spoons. Here’s the rundown:
🥇 Budino (Chocolate Chili Mousse)
My personal favorite: Rich, bold, and laced with just the right heat. A must-try for those who like their chocolate with a kick.
🥈 Tres Leches Cake
Fluffy, soaked, and topped with coconut and vanilla cream. The sweet lovers at our table adored this one.
🥉 Key Lime Pie
Good — just outshined by its companions.
Final Thoughts: A Welcome Addition to Downtown
Atlantic Prime Coastal Kitchen brings strong coastal vibes, passionate service, and some seriously crave-worthy dishes to downtown Franklinton. While a few small hiccups (especially the roasted chicken) kept us from giving a perfect 5, this restaurant is already one of our new favorites.
We’ll be back for:
Calamari with fried poblanos
Grilled octopus
Budino
That onion dip with extra chips and a touch of caviar
Final Rating: 4.75 out of 5 Hearts ❤️
“A fabulous pair of bookends — great beginnings and great endings — is the way to a diner’s heart.”
Atlantic Prime, you’ve won ours.
