Ocean Prime — Restaurant in Denver

When it comes to going to a location that I know I will get a fantastic meal, that is properly cooked, fresh, well seasoned and served with the utmost respect and kindness, this is where I go. It's really hard to like other food after you have been here. The food really is another level above what you find elsewhere. Being an upper scale restaurant the normal expectation when I first came here was that I would get a spoonful of food for a $100 bill. It was the complete opposite. The portions here are actually really much larger than you would get in another restaurant of the same class. I have always left full and never felt like I wanted more food after I was done. Even the sides are really big and for some people can almost serve as a meal itself.

The 3 main dishes that I have come to love and always return for are the Sea Scallops, the Black Truffle Mac n cheese, and the 12 oz bone in filet, which out of all of the steaks I have had in this state, it is by far the most flavorful and the tenderest. Knife is not needed. The Scallops are cooked perfectly with a nice crust and free of grit and that deep salty flavor from unfresh seafood.

Then the crowning jewel is the Black Truffle Mac n Cheese. I know its weird to think of Mac n Cheese as the best dish on the menu, but it is literally intense. It's made with the same Wisconsin Cheddar as the fondue which is rich and creamy. Pretty sure there is a small accent of wine in it also which is then topped and mixed with crumbles of black truffles which are just superb. Its the one dish that I always get no matter what else I order.

The wait staff is also really polite and attentive and makes ordering food and just the whole dining experience effortless. They have great knowledge of the menu and keep things neat and clean throughout dinner. If an error is made they will very rapidly get it fixed no questions asked then make sure that the problem is solved. The food quality here really is their top priority, and on the rare chance something is wrong they will own up to it, and mention that your meal will be delayed because the food didn't finish as the chef liked and they are doing it over, which is then usually accompanied with a small complimentary appetizer from the chef just to keep your tummy happy while they make it right.

The ambiance of Ocean Prime has several different "atmospheres" I like to call them which you can request to be seated in depending on your occasion. There is a darker more calming romantic area which is far from the bright and active section by the windows. Adjacent to that is a trendy colored area with a nice mood lighting of blues and purples that is somewhat leaning toward the more social party themes. There are also several private rooms, a full bar, and an elevator to go upstairs if you don't want to walk the stairs.

Overall when I am thinking of taking someone to a special place for a holiday or date night, or just want a really fantastic meal to celebrate, I always come here. The prices are as you would expect for the upper scale scene, but the quality in the food, portions and superb service from the staff, helps to offset that...

Located in Downtown Denver on the corner of historic Larimer Square, Ocean Prime is an ideal place to socialize and indulge in Happy Hour in the Lounge. Happy Hour is offered Monday through Friday from 4-6pm. All Lounge food offerings are $5 off and there are $8 Specialty Cocktails, $8 select red & white wines, & $5 local beers.

I valeted my car right by Ocean Prime on Larimer Square for $10 with validation from the restaurant.

We arrived at Ocean Prime and were seated at a high-top table in the Lounge. The aesthetic was high-end and sophisticated with chestnut woods and dark blue uplighting. Our server Elliot had great flair and happy hour recommendations. Managers Chris and Nick ensured customers had everything they needed and were well taken care of.

For cocktails I had the Black Orchid - only $8 during happy hour - made with Belvedere Organic Blackberry & Lemongrass Infusion, St. Germain, Fresh Lemon & White Cranberry Juice. This cocktail is my favorite at Ocean Prime. The Black Orchid came in a martini glass with an ice orb that held an orchid flower inside. The cocktail had aromas and flavor notes of blackberry & lemon that burst onto the palate with a lovely juicy sweetness that refreshed.

Jaclyn had the Reposado Paper Plane made with Casamigos Reposado, Aperol, St. Germain, & Fresh Lemon Juice. The Reposado Paper Plane was the National Cocktail Competition Winner of People's Choice Awards.

The Ahi Tuna Tartare was made with Avocado, Pickled Ginger, Sour Cream, & Citrus Ponzu. The Tuna Tartare was an elegant raw appetizer filled with fresh, light ingredients. The sushi-grade ahi tuna pieces were generous in size and had a soft texture against the satisfying crunch of the wonton crisps.

The Prime Roll was made with Tempura Shrimp, Cream Cheese, Scallion, & Beef Carpaccio. The thinly sliced beef carpaccio sat atop the sushi roll and gave it a savory flavor. The tempura shrimp in the roll had a delicate crunch that folded into the smooth cream cheese.

The Ocean Roll was made with #1 Tuna, Salmon, Hamachi, Avocado, & Chili Garlic Oil. The Ocean Roll was fresh and vibrant. The hamachi was smoothly luscious. The chili garlic oil added subtle spice that enhanced the richness of the tuna, salmon, and hamachi.

The Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli were made with Golden Oak Mushrooms. The ravioli was wonderful - a richly flavored pasta filled with smooth goat cheese.

For our seafood main we split the Teriyaki Salmon made with Shiitake Sticky Rice, Soy Butter Sauce. This is one of the best salmon entrees you can find in Denver. The salmon was juicy and flakey and coated in the bold & thick teriyaki glaze. The sticky glaze combined with the soy butter sauce gave the salmon a perfect combo of sweet tang.

For dessert we had the Warm Butter Cake made with Fresh Berries, Vanilla Ice Cream, Raspberry Sauce. The cake was piping hot with vanilla ice cream melting atop. The crisp sugar exterior gave way to a densely buttery interior making for decadent gooey bites...

Dining at Ocean Prime in Denver was an experience marked by highs and lows. While the restaurant’s reputation for steak is well deserved, several aspects of the evening fell short of expectations for a fine dining establishment.

Ambiance and Atmosphere- Ocean Prime presents itself as an upscale venue, and the setting matches that image. Elegant decor and a lively, bustling dining room. The ambiance sets the stage for a memorable meal, making it an attractive spot for special occasions or business dinners.

Service- Unfortunately, the service during our visit was notably slow and inconsistent. Our servers seemed inattentive and, at times, unprofessional. For instance, when I ordered a drink that should have been clear and garnish-free, it arrived with an unexpected garnish floating in it a small but telling oversight. Attempts to engage with the kitchen staff were also frustrating. I requested to thank the chef personally for a perfectly cooked steak, but instead, a sous chef came out, initially taking credit for the dish before later admitting he had not prepared it. This lack of transparency and sincerity left a poor impression, especially after tipping generously in good faith. Food- The meal itself was a mixed bag

Steak: The highlight of the evening. It was cooked to absolute perfection tender, flavorful, and expertly seasoned. This dish alone showcased the culinary skill that Ocean Prime is known for.

Calamari: While flavorful, it was slightly overdone, resulting in a texture that detracted from the overall enjoyment.

King Crab Legs: Disappointingly, these were mediocre at best. For a restaurant of this caliber, I expected far more. In fact, I’ve had better crab legs at much more casual establishments. Such as Red Lobster.

Drinks: As noted, the drink presentation was careless, with an unnecessary garnish in a cocktail that should have been pristine.

Value and Overall Experience- Given Ocean Prime’s price point and reputation, I expected a flawless experience across the board. While the steak delivered, the rest of the meal and the service did not meet the standard. Details matter in fine dining, and issues like overcooked appetizers, lackluster seafood, and inattentive service should not be overlooked.

Summary- Ocean Prime in Denver excels at steak, but my experience was marred by slow service, inattentive staff, and inconsistent execution on other dishes. For the price, diners should expect more attention to detail and professionalism throughout the meal. I hope management takes this feedback to heart, as the potential for a truly exceptional dining experience is there if only the entire team rises to the level of the...