Ocean Prime at High Street has long been a favorite of mine for happy hour and serves my favorite cocktail in all the Valley – the Berries and Bubbles. It’s a fine dining establishment with a low-key, comfortable vibe, perfect for a date night or an evening with friends.
Let’s talk about The Lounge at Ocean Prime, it’s swanky and boasts one of the best happy hours in town! Monday through Friday from 5-7 p.m., guests can enjoy half off all small plates and sushi, plus discounted cocktails. And they recently expanded that small plate menu for even more delicious options.
You can now find a Meat and Cheese Board, bountiful with an assorted selection of fine cheeses, tasty, high-quality meats, and accoutrements, such as marinated mushrooms, fresh-baked charred bread, and fig preserves.
The Chili Dusted Calamari is a newer addition and not to be confused with the Point Judith Calamari from the regular dining menu. The newer version is more lounge-friendly served with a lemon garlic aioli for dipping. The calamari rings are lightly breaded and fried to perfection, giving them a crispy exterior and a tender chew. The serving is generous and a steal at only $7 during happy hour.
The Tuna Poké is intended to be shared but you won’t want to. My vote says order this as your entrée and avoid any squabbling over who gets the last bite. The tuna is so fresh, you can taste the ocean! It’s served atop sushi rice with a sriracha vinaigrette for a little kick, creamy avocado chunks and cucumber for crunch. It’s the perfect marriage of flavors and texture. Absolutely delightful .
Do NOT miss the Yakiniku Drumettes, Ocean Prime’s version of spicy Buffalo wings, only better! These drumettes are generous and meaty, bathed in an Asian-inspired sticky sweet sauce, kicky with tangy heat. I can guarantee you will be licking your fingers after eating these, maybe even your plate. To keep things familiar Ocean Prime serves the drumettes with a side of bleu cheese and carrot and celery slaw to cool things down. I promise you will never look at regular bar wings the same.
As I’ve said before, Ocean Prime is a prime example of dining excellence. Truly, a hidden gem in North Phoenix. Every time I send someone there on a recommendation they always rave about their experience and thank me.
The dining room is gorgeous too, and the regular dining menu is superb, but Happy Hour at Ocean Prime can’t be beat.
Ocean Prime is located at High Street — 5455 E High St, 115, Phoenix, AZ 85054.
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Disclaimer: I attended a media dinner at Ocean Prime and enjoyed my meal free of charge in order to facilitate this post. All opinions are entirely my own.
