Ocean Prime is a modern American restaurant and lounge from renowned restaurateur Cameron Mitchell. Located in Denver’s Larimer Square and the Tech Center, Ocean Prime is open for weekday lunch and dinner nightly. Their fine dining menu features seafood and prime cuts of steak, signature cocktails, a Wine Spectator-honored wine list and desserts paired with great service in a lovely setting. Ocean Prime was 5280 magazine’s editor’s pick for “Best Seafood” among many other awards nationwide.

The chefs at Ocean Prime take great pride in sourcing the highest quality ingredients available and use simple, pure, local and regional flavors on our made from scratch menu. Seafood is selected daily for freshness and features wild and naturally harvested fish. Steaks include USDA Prime cuts and are aged for maximum tenderness and flavor. This absolutely shines through in the dishes we sampled and during past experiences dining at various Ocean Prime restaurants throughout the country. Yes, they are a chain, and no they didn’t originate in Denver , but Ocean Prime is a superb dining experience which is why Denver has two locations despite the concentration of great restaurants here.

We highlight the opening patio party for Ocean Prime’s new DTC location that opened in November. We started with not-yet on the menu margaritas that were full of refreshing flavor and happy hour sushi rolls. Happy hour is weekdays from 4-6pm in the bar and patio and on Friday’s and Saturday’s there’s live music!

Our favorite dishes were the lamb lollipops, mini crab cakes, and ultra creamy lobster mac & cheese. The Smoking Shellfish Tower was also a favorite and great for any party, however is not part of happy hour pricing. One can order $2 oysters, $10 chef sushi roll and other great bites and drinks during happy hour here.

Don’t skip dessert, from chocolate peanut butter pie to NY cheesecake to their ever-popular warm butter cake, we always save room here.

https://www.ocean-prime.com/

Photos by Josh Stephens

Inspired by its historic location at the site of one of Denver’s first newspapers, Courier market | bar | kitchen provides patrons with classic dishes made modern in an updated setting that evokes the space’s past. Focused on local flavors and ingredients, the food is thoughtfully sourced and carefully served with the menu indicating whether a dish is gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian or vegan.

Head Chef David Lillich joined the Grand Hyatt Denver’s culinary team in 2013 assisting with the launch of its previous restaurant. He was quickly promoted to Junior Sous Chef, advancing to the position of Garde Manger of the 4-Diamond Grand Hyatt Denver. Chef Lillich describes Courier’s food, “Our selections are inspired by beloved classic dishes from cuisines from around the world. Our culinary team works at recreating these classics with a modern twist using the finest local ingredients and the best seasonal produce we can find.” We went in for dinner and were impressed by the many choices, the food’s rich flavors and the substantial portions.

We started with GNOCCHI MAC & CHEESE (V) with basil and sundried tomato that was delicious yet decadent. The gnocchi were soft and infused with basil, the sundried tomatoes were moist, and the dish was not overly cheesy. They use a blend of parmesan, cheddar and mozzarella sourced from Haystack Mountain in Boulder and Marczyk in Denver and their pasta comes from local Denver shop Pappardelle’s Pasta.

Our other starter was the BUFFALO BRUSSELS (GF,V) drizzled with hot sauce butter and cashews served with a side of honey bleu cheese. This was also delicious, full of flavors, and nothing like the Brussels Sprouts we grew up eating. There are numerous other starters on the menu including a few different flatbreads, and their Social Hour menu features chicken wings, a charcuterie and cheese board, tempura cauliflower, and chili relleno fried raviolis all under $10.

Social Hour at the bar runs from 3-6pm daily and includes inventive cocktails like the Prosecco based Tabloid and the bourbon-and-absinthe-infused Local Edition. Wine, Colorado beers and a handful of apps round out the Social Hour menu. Guests in the bar can watch the chefs craft their apps and flatbreads in an artisan stone oven.

For entrees, we selected the popular SHORT RIB STROGANOFF and the SMOKED DUCK A L’ORANGE (GF). The Stroganoff was indeed a modern twist on the dish; the presentation and ingredients were elevated, with mushroom raviolis as the pasta portion and a beautiful piece of tender short ribs with a milk stout cream sauce. The Smoked Duck was Asian forward in flavor and came accompanied with soft forbidden fried rice mixed with crunchy snap peas, bell peppers and carrots. Their global cuisine also features dishes such as Scallops and Risotto, Ancient Grain Paella, Chicken Tikka, Swordfish Etouffee and Wagyu Steak and Potatoes.

Located within the financial district’s Grand Hyatt Hotel, Courier serves a variety of delectable food and a noteworthy dining experience during breakfast, lunch and dinner. We loved what we ate and plan on going back again with friends to try even more!

https://courierrestaurant.com/

Words by Tiffany Candelaria Photos by Samantha Bliss