Ocean Prime, Tampa
I really hate February,
I'm in Pennsylvania, its 4 degrees, and it's snowing again. My saving grace is a flight to Tampa for a progressive rock cruise my wife and I are to attend. Nothing was going to keep us from sunshine and warm weather, no government shutdowns, freak snowstorms, or impossible travel to the airport, nothing. We've been up since 4 a.m., just touched down and we are ready for some local seafood.
Our choice today is Ocean Prime an upscale chain restaurant, in the International Plaza in Tampa Florida. Ocean Prime, is known for, fresh seafood, prime steaks, signature drinks, and a sublime wine list.
Ocean Prime is a fully scratch kitchen and everything is made on the premises.
On arrival we were greeted by two smiling faces, they took our name and asked if we wanted to sit inside, at the bar or outside. We are in Florida, it’s 75 degrees, outside it is!
Ocean Prime's interior reminded me of some of the restaurants of the French Quarter in New Orleans or some places I've eaten in France, though a more modern design. The entire dining experience was relaxed and genuine, it was service and professionalism at the highest degree.
To start, our affable waiter Nick recommended the Waugh Cellars, Russian River Valley Chardonnay for my wife, I had a raspberry iced tea and an order of blue point oysters, just what was needed for two weary travelers. Highest marks go to Nick, he was friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, professional and most of all, non pretentious.
Next up, I had the Caesar salad with garlic Parmesan dressing and brioche croutons, my wife had the Ocean Prime house salad, it was a beautiful array of romaine, field Greens, Granny Smith apples, goat cheese, walnuts, tossed in a sherry mustard vinaigrette, both were delicious, fresh and properly dressed. While finishing our salads, to our surprise an of order of "on the house" just shucked West Coast oysters with sauce mignonette arrived.
Welcome to Tampa indeed!
Going in we already knew what we wanted; today was all about seafood. I was looking for something that was locally sourced and the Florida black grouper with lobster, gnocchi, spring peas & lemon jus, caught my eye. My wife settled on the seared sea scallops with Parmesan risotto, English peas & citrus vinaigrette.
The just seared then finished in the oven grouper, sat atop a silken halibut sauce, with house made gnocchi, fresh English peas and big chunks of steamed lobster. The grouper was topped with a fresh tomato fondue with hints of fresh basil and thyme. Harmony baby, it was Florida on a plate. Just sitting here writing this review, I discover that I really want that dish again, yes, it was that good.
My wife’s three large sweet ocean scallops were cooked just right, seared, caramelized, and medium rare, a rich creamy perfect Parmesan risotto, drizzled with a light citrus vinaigrette and fresh fennel fronds to be it’s plate companions. Yes, I had a taste, it was lovely.
Both dishes were stunners, arriving hot, beautifully plated and perfectly executed.
While talking with Nick, we discovered a mutual love of music, I think it was my RUSH t shirt that got the conversation started, however when I told him how much we enjoyed our meal. Nick heads back to the kitchen and then shows up with two envelopes containing the recipes for our entrees and the dessert below. Just look at the chocolate beast, with hand spun vanilla bean ice cream, it was just fantastic. I had a taste though it took two days for my wife to finish it.
Ocean Prime, we will be back, next time we will visit the Philadelphia location. Thank you, you and your team made our first day in Tampa a memorable one.