I think we have this in common with most people – when we go out for a nice dinner, we want to make sure two things will happen for certain – that the food will be top-notch, and that we will feel at ease there. Afterall, you want the memories of your dining experience to be positive and not filled with having felt out-of-place. After several visits to different locations of Ocean Prime, we can confirm that you’ll have a great meal and will feel very welcome.

Save this article to Pinterest to help you plan your dinner at an Ocean Prime restaurant near you.

Maybe it’s the (nearly) post-pandemic feeling of gratitude we diners have for being able to go out again, combined with the gratitude the restaurants and staff feel for having made it through. But I noticed a definite feeling of extra graciousness and warmth coming from the staff at Ocean Prime. It was like, “Yay! We’re here!”

What to Expect From Dinner at Ocean Prime

Seafood and meat hold court at Ocean Prime, not surprising, given the name. Options to start with include Sushi, Oysters, Shrimp, Whole Maine Lobster, and the famous “Smoking” (dry ice) Shellfish Tower (which always elicits envious stares from fellow diners as it’s presented to its lucky recipients).

Be the envy of every table and order a customizable Smoking (dry ice) Seafood Tower. This one was from a previous visit to Ocean Prime.

Hungry for more? Learn how to eat like a local in St. Augustine, Florida.

Seafood entrees include Ahi Tuna, Crab Cakes, Chilean Sea Bass, and Scallops as some of the options. Meat fans can take in the Prime Steak Tartare as an appetizer, a variety of steak cut options, but also Lamb, Pork, and Chicken. Veggie lovers unite though – from the salads to numerous sides, there are many options.

While we perused the menu, a basket with sliced bread and pretzel bread sticks with softened butter arrived just in time to take away our hangries. Those pretzel bread sticks are addictive so resist the offer for another round to save room for the real meal. We countered that carb-infusion with a couple of salads. My husband ordered the Ocean Prime House Salad which was not your usual minimal thing with some cucumber slices and tomato wedges. Romaine and field greens were topped with Granny Smith apples, soft knobs of goat cheese and crunchy, candied walnuts, drizzled with a sherry mustard vinaigrette dressing. It was a delicious contrast in textures and flavors. I ordered the Crisp Iceberg “Wedge” because, you know, it’s practically a prerequisite to a steak dinner (which was on my radar). This one was a nice surprise, primarily because the wedge was not a wobbling, mountain of a triangle to slice through. Instead, the wedge was a thick, horizontal slice. Brilliant! It was much easier to maneuver, even with the additions of candied bacon, marinated tomatoes, pickled onions, and blue cheese, with a subtle cabernet buttermilk dressing. Delicious!

The Wedge Salad, front, is a new slice on an old favorite. The Ocean Prime House Salad can be seen behind it.

I then zeroed in on my carnivore-loving choice, a 14 oz New York Strip, prepared medium rare (their steaks are served seasoned and broiled at 1200 degrees!). I could have added on “accessories” like Black Truffle Butter, Au Poivre, Oscar Style, etc. but chose to let the beef speak for itself. Sides are extra and there are a lot to choose from. There are potatoes every which way you can imagine including Twice Baked, Mashed, Parmesan Truffle Fried, and Smoked Gouda Tater Tots. But there are also Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Chophouse Corn, Sauteed Mushrooms, Black Truffle Mac & Cheese and more. Wanting something potato-focused, I wasn’t sure which way to go so I asked our server for some direction. She said that the Jalapeno Au Gratin was her favorite because, in addition to there being peppers in it, the cream is infused with them for a through-and-through but not overwhelming flavor. She was spot on!

The New York Strip steak was prepared perfectly!

When your server, who has tried all of the sides recommends one, listen! The Jalapeno Au Gratin Potatoes augmented my steak perfectly.

Hungry for more? Read about our dining experiences aboard a Celebrity Cruise Ship.

My husband went for one of the seasonal specials, halibut on a bed of cauliflower mash with roasted tomato sauce and herbs. The fish was the perfect texture and the blend of flavors was great.

The very special, seasonal “Special,” Halibut on Cauliflower Mash with Roasted Tomato Sauce.

Time for Dessert at Ocean Prime

My birthday had been just a few days before so I was considering our dinner at Ocean Prime to be an extension of the celebrations which meant dessert had to count. There was Sorbet, a Crème Brulee, Warm Butter Cake with berries and vanilla ice cream, Chocolate Cake with their hand-spun ice cream, the very famous Mile High Carrot Cake with cream cheese icing between every one of those I-don’t-know-how-many thin layers of cake. And there was the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. Hello, gorgeous! Definitely not a slice of pie, this dessert arrived as a dense and delightful cylinder of peanut butter mousse, ensconced in bittersweet chocolate ganache, decorated with rolls of chocolate and a frilly little mountain of fresh whipped cream into which they were kind enough to stick a candle for me. It was heavenly! I took home leftovers of my steak, potatoes, and dessert and, let me tell you, they were even better the next day.

You don’t have to wait for your birthday to enjoy this special Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie dessert at Ocean Prime. But it’s certainly a great way to celebrate.

Everything at Ocean Prime is made from scratch, that there’s something for every taste and hunger level, and that there are seasonal items and special occasion menus (i.e. holidays), but that core favorites always remain. They even have gluten free items, clearly marked on the menu.

Ocean Prime has locations across the United States. To find an Ocean Prime near you, and to view their individual menus and special events, visit this website.

-Story, photos and graphic by Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher and Managing Editor of RealFoodTraveler.com.

Note, we were hosted by Ocean Prime to facilitate this article but, as always, our opinions and impressions are our own, honest and true.