Welcome to Roots Ocean Prime
"Roots Ocean Prime, located in Princeton, NJ, offers a sophisticated dining experience with a focus on New American cuisine, steaks, and seafood. Known for its upscale and intimate atmosphere, the restaurant provides excellent service and a diverse menu with keto options available. Customers rave about the fantastic drinks, fresh seafood, and delicious dishes like the steak sandwich and lobster bites. With a welcoming staff, Celiac-friendly options, and a cozy fireplace setting, Roots Ocean Prime is a top choice for a special night out or celebratory meal."
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98 University Pl Princeton, NJ 0854098 University Pl Princeton, NJ 08540 Hotline: (609) 772-4934
Located at the heart of Princeton, NJ, Roots Ocean Prime offers a vibrant culinary experience that seamlessly blends the finest elements of New American cuisine with the timeless appeal of steak and seafood. Nestled close to Princeton University, this establishment’s inviting atmosphere and exquisite menu promise a memorable dining experience for both locals and visitors alike.
At Roots Ocean Prime, you will find an impressive array of offerings that cater to all palates. The menu features a stunning raw bar boasting chilled jumbo shrimp and the highly sought-after colossal lump crab cocktail, perfect for seafood aficionados. It’s a place where the freshness of the ocean is celebrated. Patrons rave about the local East Coast oysters, known for their crisp brininess and unparalleled quality. The lobster cocktail stands out as a showstopper, served whole and chilled to perfection, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to seafood excellence.
Steak lovers, rejoice! The menu includes an array of exquisite cuts that promise tenderness and flavor. The petite prime NY strip steak and the indulgent porterhouse steak for two are among the highlights, drawing compliments for their rich seasoning and cook quality. Guests have shared their delight over the beef Wellington, a luxurious treat that showcases the chef's skill and creativity, although it is available only in limited quantities.
But it’s not just the main dishes that impress. The sides, such as the roots fried breast of chicken served with hot honey sauce, elevate the meal to new heights. Diners have noted the homemade bread as a must-try, with some suggesting it’s the perfect companion to your meal. Moreover, cocktails crafted by skilled bartenders, like the blueberry lemonade, have garnered appreciation, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the overall experience.
Notably, the ambiance at Roots Ocean Prime is warm and welcoming, making it an ideal spot for both casual visits and special occasions. Guests have found the service to be top-notch, with attentive staff ensuring that every need is met, contributing to the memorable dining experiences shared by many.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a culinary adventure that showcases the best of steak and seafood, Roots Ocean Prime promises an experience that satisfies and delights. With thoughtful dishes, a welcoming atmosphere, and a location that buzzes with life, it’s a dining destination that encourages exploration—from the enticing raw bar to the masterful steak selections. Don’t miss the chance to discover this jewel in Princeton; it may very well become your go-to spot for unforgettable meals.
Excellent staff. Fantastic drinks. I tend to go for apps and sides and martinis. Don't forget the popover.
This place was worth every penny! Service was great, our waiter was very nice. He suggested the lobster bites and they did not disappoint. My husband and I both got steak. Delicious! And as everyone on here is saying, the butter cake hit the spot! The restaurant itself was very clean. We definitely will be back to try different dishes. Thanks for a great birthday celebration for my husband!
We sat at the bar to have some cocktails and apps, and the bartender was awesome. The cocktails are good and I highly suggest the blueberry lemonade as either a mocktail or cocktail. The seafood and oysters are fresh and the homemade bread is really good.
The food was excellent. Sat at the bar with great service from the bartender. He recommended the shrimp and cherry peppers addition to the halibut. Great location and easy going ambiance for Wednesday night.
Great place for lunch or dinner, on the Princeton University campus. The steak sandwich was truly amazing. Perfectly seasoned, moist, and packed with flavor. The toasted Brioche bun was the perfect vehicle and held up very well when dipped in the French Onion Au jus. The Colossal Shrimp Crostini is seafood heaven on a plate! Most restaurants don't get prawns and shrimp right. Either they overcook them or don't season them enough. Thankfully that was definitely not the case here. The Shrimp were fresh, flavorful, and fried in a light crispy batter. Add that with the toasted garlic crostini and the dip that comes with it, you can't go wrong. I started to order one for the road. All in all, I was very pleased with my first experience and have continued to go back.
Five star food, five star ambiance, four star service (not bad, just with glitches). We came here on a Thursday night for an early dinner, and was seated in front of the big fireplace (no fire). Cold outside for April. The whole night I was frozen. There's a draft from the fireplace in fact. They should not have seated us there. A booth would have been warmer and more preferable. Every dish was appetizingly presented and delicious. Extensive menu. The sundae dessert was top-notch (candle celebration was icing on the cake). Their service, though, left something to be desired given their price point and the calibre of the restaurant. For seafood, they gave us steak knives. We had to ask for fish knives but they didn't have any (just regular knives). They kind of dumped the dishes in front of us without any smile or explanation and they served wrong dishes to us (typically for restaurant of this calibre they should remember who ordered what).
Food was tender and flavorful. Welcoming staff from host to waitress. Our waitressz Kareza (sp?) was so friendly, welcoming, and efficient. This was my first dinner out after recovering from a broken ankle and missing Valentine's and a birthday. Great way to celebrate the milestones.
Everything was perfect. Located in Princeton, lots of parking and even maybe an after dinner stroll around the university. Roots Ocean Prime was indeed a restaurant to come to. Being Celiac conscious, I called ahead and was gauranteed the safety of having a gluten free meal. It was Celiac friendly which can be hard to find since most restaurants only assure Gluten free but not Celiac safe. The food came out to perfection and honestly I could have licked my plate clean it was so delicious. . One error the waiter did make though is the roots steak sauce he brought over to the table. Be aware that it is not Gluten Free.
Really enjoyed it here. Service was excellent. I would highly recommend getting seated in the back room. Especially around Christmas time. Big open fire place and tasteful decorations. The food: we started with the bacon, seafood platter and Caesar salad. All very good. Bacon was cooked perfectly and had a nice glaze on the outside. Seafood tower was excellent. Lobster, tuna tartar, shrimp, oysters, excellent all around. Entrees: we both got filets, cooked perfectly and seasoned well. Perhaps could have used a bit more salt and pepper but not much to complain about. We got creamed spinach and lobster Mac with it. Fire, absolutely fire. Def will come back. Expensive but overall worth it.