Item Location: Dawn's Roost in New Atlantis, Jemison

Approval Rating: 3/5 Stars

Let’s get this out of the way. I was starving. I’d just come back from a survey mission on a rock with more ice than atmosphere, so a proper sit-down meal felt like a reward. I ordered the Dawn’s Roost Strip, which consists of a steak, mixed veg, and mashed potatoes. I was expecting comfort food with a bit of flair. Let me preface this by saying that I wanted to like it. Honestly, I did. You don’t saunter into Dawn’s Roost, one of the more smug eateries in New Atlantis, expecting mediocrity. No, you walk in expecting a meal that will serenade your taste buds, quote a bit of Shakespeare, and leave you with the faint impression you’ve done something profound. What I got was a conversation starter.

The steak was cooked medium-rare, as requested. The steak was centre-stage, crosshatched from the grill. The edges had a nice char. Smokey and with a bit of bite, but the centre leaned closer to rare. Fine if that’s your thing, but not quite the precision I’d expect in New Atlantis. The flavour was mild. Perhaps a bit too mild. I kept tasting the sauce for something bold, but it was all a bit bland. It looked lovely on the plate. But after the first bite, I had questions. Mostly I had to wonder was this steak grown in a lab? The flavour tried but certainly missed the mark terribly.

The veg consisted of carrots, a few green beans, and something pretending to be squash. Texture? Soft, rather mushy. Flavour? Minimal. No seasoning to speak of. Just warm and damp. Assorted, as promised, but if colour alone determined quality, we’d have had a winner. Sadly, the veg tasted as if proper flavour was an after thought.

The mash was truly the star of the plate. Now this is where they got it right. Silky texture, creamy, with just the right amount of butter and seasoning. If they’d served a bowl of this with a spoon, I’d have been perfectly delighted. Honestly, I’d eat a bowl of these in silence and consider it therapy. If the chef put as much effort into the steak and veg as they did into these spuds, we’d have an all around winner.

The service was efficient, if a bit unenthusiastic. My server smiled like they were under observation. Posh without personality. Still, there is a nice view of the MAST District if you sit by the window. The ambiance is pleasant enough.

My final thoughts. It's a decent enough meal, but not superb. The steak looks better than it tastes, the veg needs a seasoning makeover, and the mashed potatoes are working overtime to save the plate. You won’t regret ordering it, but you won’t be raving about it either. The Dawn’s Roost Strip is the kind of meal that wants to be remembered but forgot to leave a good impression. A solid C+ performance with a standout supporting act (looking at you, mashed potatoes). I left full, mildly underwhelmed, and suspiciously aware I’d just paid double for a steak that would’ve been better on a campfire outside Akila.

If you’re in New Atlantis and hungry, it’ll do the job. That is, if you simply have the extra credits to waste. Next time, I’m asking for double mash and skipping the rest.

My approval level. I give this entree three stars out of five. One for effort, one for the mash, and one because it does satisfy your hunger.

Come for the potatoes, stay for the view, lower your expectations accordingly.