Ocean Prime
A taste of the coast in the heart of Las Vegas
Story by Becky Bradley
Photography provided by Ocean Prime
After walking the Las Vegas Strip all afternoon, exiting the elevator to Ocean Prime was akin to being welcomed into a culinary spa. From the stark, hot street entrance below, the cool air conditioning that greeted us as the doors opened was absolute relief. The welcoming smiles of the hosts, the soft lighting, the wall of fine wines, and the pristine bar immediately set the tone for the evening. The polished decor made for a memorable experience—and that was prior to being seated, let alone having a meal.
Arriving at a half-round booth felt like being seated in our own private dining room. The staff were attentive, and soon the sommelier arrived. He was personable and helpful, taking the time to talk through likes and dislikes before guiding us to a Paul Hobbs Chardonnay. It paired wonderfully with the private-label Rose & Garnet Oysters on the half shell from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, my home state.
For the main course, I chose the Dutch Harbor King Crab Legs with Asparagus, Parsley Potatoes and Drawn Butter and my wife selected the Sea Scallops with Lobster Risotto, Tomato, and Shellfish Butter. As expected from the experience so far, the seafood was prepared precisely to be succulent and full of flavor. I grew up in New England where seafood is a way of life, and this was that!
The flavors brought back memories of summer vacations along the New England coast—a surprising connection given that Ocean Prime is surrounded by the Nevada desert. The setting may have been worlds away from those childhood beach trips, but the seafood transported me back.
Now, back to the desert for dessert. A towering Ten Layer Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and Pineapple Syrup was the perfect finale. Each layer was velvety-soft and incredibly moist, with the flavors coming together beautifully. An Illy espresso offered the perfect companion to this rich, flavor-filled dessert.
It is easy to see why Ocean Prime is one of Las Vegas’ notable fine-dining destinations. It has earned multiple industry honors, including Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the US by OpenTable, Best Fine Dining and Best Steakhouse in the Las Vegas Weekly Best of Las Vegas Readers’ Choice Awards, and Best Seafood Restaurant from the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association for two consecutive years. Its wine program has also been recognized nationally with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, further solidifying Ocean Prime Las Vegas as a standout culinary experience on the Vegas Strip.
After paying the check, we requested to speak to the manager. We wanted to share our appreciation for what had been a wonderful dining experience at Ocean Prime Las Vegas. Jonathan Headley, the General Manager, was onsite and came to our table. He was incredibly kind, generous, and genuinely appreciative that we wanted to share our experience at the restaurant.
We told Jonathan how much we loved our experience, and he then invited us to return for the restaurant’s weekend brunch, which he enthusiastically recommended. Sadly, we were leaving the next morning and could not attend; but we actually paused for a moment to consider whether we could extend our stay to take him up on his offer. Alas, we could not change our schedule to accommodate it.
Thankfully, we’ll save brunch for our next trip to Las Vegas.
Located at 63 Citycenter at the iconic corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon Avenue on the The Vegas Strip, Ocean Prime spans more than 14,000 square feet and features a massive rooftop terrace. With over 400 seats, three bars, and three private dining rooms, the restaurant offers a vibrant setting complemented by genuine hospitality, an impressive menu of seafood and prime steaks, signature cocktails, and a Wine Spectator-honored wine list.
