Usually, when you go to a “nice” restaurant, there’s a certain amount of trepidation (for some of us, will call it “intimidation”) about how to dress, what to expect fancy-ness-wise, attitude from the staff, etc. While there are some places like that in Colorado, Ocean Prime isn’t one of them.
It had been a few years since I visited Ocean Prime, at their Larimer Square location. The service had been impeccable and the food and presentation of it was worthy of an ad in a glossy magazine – picture-perfect. I was invited to have dinner at the newer Denver Tech Center location to check out its vibe and see what’s new (and not). Although the food and service were top notch, something was different this time.
On what we hope is the downslope side of the pandemic, which ravaged the restaurant world, every dining out experience feels a little different. From little mom & pop places, to familiar hangouts to more elegant, high-end places, there’s a feeling of gratitude for having survived it and a sense of never taking things for granted again. I know I’ve felt that repeatedly and I’m sure you have too. But what surprised me a little was how much I felt that at Ocean Prime.
When my husband and I visited and chatted with some of the staff, there was no assumption of success or sense of entitlement. We were told they’d been able to bring back almost all of their staff (some moved away during the pandemic) and that they were so glad to back together and at work again. That kind of feeling comes through in the work ethic and the tone of service customers receive. I witnessed it repeatedly with other tables while we there and certainly experienced it ourselves. What I’m getting at is, dining at Ocean Prime was warm, inviting, and not intimidating.
On to the food at Ocean Prime DTC…
Seafood and meat hold court at Ocean Prime. To start, there’s Sushi, Oysters, Shrimp, Whole Maine Lobster, and the famous “Smoking” (dry ice) Shellfish Tower (which, when being carried through the restaurant, brings heads whipping around to take it in. Diners who didn’t order it whisper “lucky!” – or maybe that’s just me). Seafood entrees include Ahi Tuna, Crab Cakes, Chilean Sea Bass, and Scallops as some of the options. Meat fans (hello, my people!) can take in the Prime Steak Tartare as an appetizer, a variety of steak cut options, but also Colorado Lamb, Saddleberk Farms Pork, and Red Bird Farms Chicken. Veggie lovers unite though because salads and vegetable sides get plenty of emphasis at Ocean Prime, from the Chop Chop Salad to Ocean Prime House and a Crisp Wedge as well as numerous sides.
While we perused the menu, a basket with sliced bread and pretzel bread sticks with softened butter arrived just in time to take away the hangries. Those pretzel bread sticks, though! I could have settled in with a basket of those for my dinner. We countered that carb-infusion with a couple of salads. My husband ordered the Ocean Prime House Salad ($15) 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 candied walnuts, drizzled with a sherry mustard vinaigrette dressing. It was a delicious contrast in textures and flavors. I ordered the Crisp Iceberg “Wedge” ($15) 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. Nice! 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!
I then zeroed in on my carnivore-loving choice, a 14 oz New York Strip ($59), 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. ($9-$32) 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 ($14-$17). Wanting something potato, 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!
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.
My birthday had been just a few days before so I was considering our dinner at Ocean Prime DTC to be an extension of the celebrations. So 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 ($17) 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.
Service at Ocean Prime DTC is top-notch and you have multiple times and ways to confirm that because a variety of people will make their way to your table over the course of the meal. But our main server was relaxed, warm, and efficient despite the fact that she had numerous tables in our area and was helping out with a large party in a private dining room.
What struck me most was the variety of people who were dining at Ocean Prime that night, especially given that it isn’t a “grab a quick bite” place. There was a young family with a toddler, an older couple who are clearly regulars, a group of friends who hadn’t seen each other in ages, a job interview, a couple on a special date, and a large family gathering. It was simply a place to go where people could be sure the food and service would be really good.
It’s important to note that 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 DTC (8000 E. Belleview Ave., Ste. C10, Greenwood Village) is open for lunch and dinner. Visit the website to view each of the menus (including those for the extensive cocktails, spirits, wine, and beer offerings.) To learn more, head to their website.
– Photos and graphics by In Good Taste Denver.
Note, we were hosted by Ocean Prime to facilitate this article but, as always, our opinions and impressions are our own, honest and true.
Ocean Prime – RFT
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