You may not think Arizona is home to fresh seafood but I’m here to tell you are happily mistaken! On a recent outing to Ocean Prime in north Phoenix, I visited the highly recommended seafood and steak join on quest to find the best seafood in my neighborhood. Let me start by painting the picture for you before I get to the cuisine. The restaurant is quite large and welcoming, located on the East corner of bustling High Street and the sophisticated decor of the dining room resembles a restaurant you might see in New York City. Wood-paneling covers the walls and there is a great patio, and we all know I’m a sucker for a good patio!
There was live music in the bar as conversations from the other tables joined in the lively happy hour atmosphere. Those seeking a quieter dining experience might request to be seated in the dining room.
The menu offers many classic seafood and meat choices, with delicious side dishes for sharing. There are also various kinds of raw seafood including oysters on the half shell and the biggest shrimp cocktail I’ve ever seen. Although the main courses are for the most part traditional and obviously attractive but the side dishes truly intrigued me. I loved that many dishes contain truffle oil or truffle butter in one form or another. As I find truffles can easily overpower other flavors in a dish, that didn’t happen here.
So, what do I recommend you eat? Start with the ginormous shrimp cocktail and goat cheese ravioli. Follow that with the highly recommended to us halibut served over the creamiest mashed cauliflower puree. If you’re feeling carnivorous, go for the petite filet topped with a brie sauce. It’s surprisingly not overly rich. For sides, the Brussels sprouts, giant tater tots, and asparagus are my recommendations. If you can magnate to save an ounce of room for dessert, you’ve got to try to the carrot cake. I swear it had 100 layers to it! It’s full of flavor, moist and just plain delicious.
The service throughout the evening was excellent and professional. I felt attended to at all times and enjoyed the evening very much at Ocean Prime. If you love fresh seafood, adventurous side dishes, and an upscale ambiance with a vibrant energy or you’re looking for the perfect date night, happy hour, or special occasion restaurant- this is the place to be!
