Ocean Prime in Dallas treats guests like royalty, making it the perfect place to celebrate any special occasion. My husband and I recently celebrated our June birthdays with an early dinner at Ocean Prime. We enjoyed wonderful food in a lovely setting and remarkably attentive service.
No matter what question we asked our agreeable waiter, his answer was always yes. Apparently, the word ‘no’ is not in their vocabulary at Ocean Prime.
We split an appetizer, a jumbo Shrimp Cocktail ($24), and an Ocean Prime house salad ($14). I loved the salad of Romaine, Field Greens, Granny Smith Apples, Goat Cheese, and Walnuts, with its Sherry Mustard Vinaigrette dressing. My husband, however, missed his favorite spinach/cucumber/tomato/onion salad with Ranch dressing.
No problem, said our waiter, as he quickly substituted an identical version of my hubby’s favorite.
Photo: Sea Scallops
We shared our entrees of twin lobster tails with asparagus ($59), and sea scallops with Parmesan Risotto and peas ($42). Both entrees were beautifully plated and succulent dishes. Ocean Prime’s breads also deserve special praise. My favorite was the pretzel bread, while my husband loved the rolls. I had a glass of Prosecco ($12) while he had iced tea.
Even though it was a joint birthday celebration, we were both too full for any dessert. The dessert menu was certainly tempting, especially the ten-layer carrot cake ($15) and my all-time favorite crème brulee ($12).
Executive Chef Brandon Moore
Photo: Holt
The food was so delicious we asked to meet the chef and were able to spend a few minutes chatting with Executive Chef Brandon Moore. The soft-spoken chef has been with Cameron Mitchell Restaurants for seven years, previously serving as Sous Chef at the Dallas Ocean Prime. Chef Brandon was only 14 when he started in the restaurant and hospitality industry. He earned a degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Studies Institute in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
The chef has been awarded both gold and silver medals in American Culinary Federation salon competitions. His wife also works in the hospitality industry.
Although Ocean Prime is renowned for their fresh seafood and prime steaks, he said the dish he most enjoys creating is their Saddleberk Farms Pork. It features a Berkshire Chop, Cider Cabbage, Bacon, and Sherry Reduction ($44).
General Manager Ethan Delk
Photo: Lounge Happy Hour
We also took a tour of the Dallas Ocean Prime with General Manager Ethan Delk and were surprised by how large the luxurious Uptown facility is. From intimate, small private dining rooms to a scenic, air-conditioned and covered patio to a bustling lounge filled with Happy Hour guests, the space was larger than we first realized. We had been seated in the candlelit dining room where we were made to feel like the only guests in the restaurant.
A Naples, Florida native, Delk attained Psychology and Criminal Justice degrees from the University of Central Florida before finding a passion for the hospitality industry. His career began as a bartender at the Naples Ocean Prime, and Delk worked his way up to Dining Room Manager. He has also worked at their Tampa and Chicago locations, and he was recently General Manager in Philadelphia before returning to Ocean Prime Dallas.
Delk is justifiably proud of the people he works with at Ocean Prime Dallas and not the least bit surprised to hear us praise the outstanding service we received from our waiter. He says everyone at Ocean Prime is passionate about showing their guests “genuine hospitality.”
Photo: Holt
Ocean Prime’s website explains their philosophy: “We are chef-led, and our teams work from scratch daily to execute our carefully crafted menu. Our chef teams are on a constant quest to present our guests with the best ingredients and preparations from around the world… Our prized ‘front of house’ team – the associates you spend the most time with at Ocean Prime – are equally responsible for being creative and assuring your experience is memorable.”
Dining at Ocean Prime Dallas is a special occasion treat for most of us, due to its expense. But their wonderful food and ambience, combined with that incredible service, can magically turn your event into something extraordinary… even priceless.
Photo: Holt
Ocean Prime Dallas is located in Rosewood Court, 2101 Cedar Springs Road in Dallas. Their hours are 4-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 4-9 p.m. Sunday. For reservations, call 214-965-0440.
Ocean Prime Dallas will open for both brunch and dinner on Father’s Day, June 20, from 12 to 9 p.m.
