The Early Word on Ocean Prime

Earlier this month, glitzy steakhouse and raw bar chain Ocean Prime opened its latest locale downtown.

The restaurant is known for broiling its steaks under 1200-degree heat. Prices run up to $51 for the 16 oz. ribeye. The lengthy list of $11-$18 sides includes multiple spins on mashed potatoes (one with lobster) to black truffle mac and cheese. For seafood, there’s Chilean sea bass ($46) with whipped potatoes and champagne truffle sauce and swordfish and clams ($40). The 140-seat bronze and warm wooded dining room is offset by a swanky bar area, and specials include $1 oysters on Fridays and a Sunday Surf & Turf menu ($55).

Read on to hear what customers are saying about the brand, which has a dozen other locations across the U.S.

The Ambiance News: Facebooker NuNu Deng said the restaurant “was modern, yet comfortable. The ambiance was nice, you could enjoy a conversation comfortably with your guest with privacy.” And fellow Facebooker Freckles Snowden “loved the ladies room and scented candle burning inside.” And Yelper Tracy N., who noted the bathroom as “sleek and spotless” said the overall “ambiance was modern but subtle, except for the urban-sleek tunes heard throughout...I enjoyed their playlist.” And Facebooker Dennis Clark experienced “good food, a wonderful atmosphere, and attention to detail—this is what D.C.’s been waiting for.” [Facebook, Yelp]

The Ocean Front News: Yelper Andrea D. called the service the “best” she’s had in DC, and the food was “amazing, particularly the oysters which were the best I've ever tasted and the baked Alaska dessert — delicious.” According to Zagat, the “humble deviled eggs get a truffles-and-caviar treatment, it's fair to assume that luxe ingredients will turn up all over the menu. There’s also a customizable shellfish tower and a sushi bar.” [Yelp, Zagat]

The Sunday Special News: Yelper Beth C. thought the Surf and Turf Sunday menu “gives you an opportunity to sample items on the menu. The appetizer was fabulous.” [Yelp]

The Fishy News: For Yelper Napualokelani K., the ahi tuna tartare was “the favorite of everything I had,” but the Hamachi crudo “was average at best. The flavor was confusing and the fish itself was fishy.” [Yelp]

The Direct Competitor News: Yelper E H. thought the seafood, such as oysters, chilled lobster, king crab legs, grouper, and blackened snapper “is as fresh and well-prepared as nearby Old Ebbitt's. And its rare NY or Kansas City strip steaks, prepared Oscar or with blue chese crust, rival aged cuts in nearby Mastro's or Del Frisco's.” Yelper Oba P. says “I normally don't order a steak at seafood restaurants, but this steak was just as good as the top notch steakhouses in DC. I ordered the 12-oz. Bone in Filet with the Blue Cheese Crust.” [Yelp]

The Collage-Worthy News: Twitter user @mtcjr81 made a photo collage of his Shrimp Sauté, Steak Tartare and Berries & Bubbles, saying “I love this place,” while Twitter user @rhymeswithibiza captioned her pic, “thanks again for such a delicious and thoughtful anniversary dinner.” [Twitter]