Restaurant Review: Tampa’s Ocean Prime

Ocean Prime

3 and 3/4 Stars

2205 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, 813-490-5288

Several months ago, when I first heard that Ocean Prime was opening, I wondered if Tampa could handle another high-end steakhouse — a chain, in fact — during tough economic times. Hell, considering the massive representation steakhouses have in the Bay area, I'd ask the same question in good times. Considering the crowd on a Tuesday night in April, I guess I have my answer.

The place isn't packed, but you wouldn't know it from the loaded parking lot. The dining room is full, happy people are lounging around the exterior bar area and the restaurant feels like it's hopping. As the night goes on, the long patio dining area overlooking a surprisingly pastoral retention pond on the border of the International Plaza parking lot starts to fill up. Maybe Tampa isn't ready for more of the usual luxe steakhouse clones, but it certainly seems to have accepted Ocean Prime.

The tasty and capable food is part of that, but I doubt it's the main draw.

This article appears in Apr 29 – May 5, 2009.