When it comes to oceanfront restaurants in south Florida, diners certainly have their fair share of restaurants to choose from, but finding a hidden gem nestled quietly away from the hustle and bustle can be a hard find.
Those in the know may consider this a disservice, but for anyone who hasn’t yet discovered Ocean Prime Fort Lauderdale’s hottest Florida location overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, consider this your formal invitation to a memorable dining experience.
The views alone from the expansive terraces found on both levels are worth a special visit alone, but sophisticated diners return for the chef-curated menu and specialty hand-crafted cocktails.
Whether you opt to visit by land or by sea, the 15,000-square-foot restaurant offers some of the best Intracoastal views overlooking the brand-new Las Olas Marina and landmark Las Olas Bridge.
Celebrating its one-year anniversary later this month, Ocean Prime Fort Lauderdale is Cameron Mitchell Restaurants’ first East Coast location in Florida and the fifth in the state. From uber fresh seafood to well marbled steaks, the fine dining establishment offers both indoor and outdoor seating surrounded by breathtaking coastal views.
Friendly hostesses inside the beautifully designed nautical restaurant boasting dark wood tones, decorative accents, and a Giulio D’Amore-designed light fixture hand sculpted from ash wood will show you to your table.
Our server suggested we start off with one of their signature craft cocktails, like a Hot and Dirty Martini (made with olive oil-infused Belvedere vodka and Calabrian chili blue cheese stuffed Castelvetrano olives), Pineapple Picante, Prime Manhattan, or Cucumber Gimlet.
Any seafood samplings from the shellfish tower should not be missed. We recommend the “smoking” jumbo shrimp cocktail accompanied by a side of spicy cocktail sauce.
Be sure to check out their sushi menu that includes a Prime Roll with tempura shrimp, a classic spicy tuna, nigiri flight and our favorite, Ocean Roll with tuna, salmon, Hamachi, avocado and chili garlic oil. The ahi tuna tartare was also a standout made with avocado, ginger ponzu, and sesame seeds.
Heartier appetizers here include the decadent Sonoma goat cheese ravioli, crispy Point Judith calamari, caviar deviled eggs, and a jumbo lump crab cake.
Moving right along, main events focus on a nice selection of steaks and seafood. From the sea, expect to find teriyaki salmon, sea scallops, Chilean sea bass, Red King crab legs, and blackened snapper.
Their Prime steak offerings are equally impressive. Seasoned and broiled at 1,200 degrees, each cut is served a la carte, so side dishes are a must.
When it comes to choosing the perfect cut of beef, there are so many offerings, including four different filet mignons: an 8-ounce, a 10-ounce melt-in-your-mouth cut of perfection, 8-ounce specialty Piedmontese, and a 7-ounce indulgent Wagyu. The declared winner was the 12-ounce dry aged New York strip, a super tender and flavor-filled cut.
They also offer a nice selection of “accessories” designed to dress up your steak. Think Bearnaise sauce, truffle butter, black garlic butter, au poivre, or Oscar style. Each dish can also be accompanied by a lobster tail or garlic scampi-style shrimp.
For sides, our server recommended we try the twice-baked potato, and we were glad she did. Covered in melted cheese and topped with crisp chopped bacon, the side was one of the best we have ever tried. Sides of sauteed mushrooms and roasted Brussels sprouts were the perfect complement to a wonderful dining experience.
Unfortunately, we did not save room for dessert but look forward to sampling their chocolate torte, warm butter cake, or 10-layer carrot cake on our next visit.
Ocean Prime Fort Lauderdale is located at 171 Las Olas Circle in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
