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    Roots Ocean Prime

    4.0 (177 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

    Roots Ocean Prime Photos

    ROOTS OCEAN PRIME ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Roots Ocean Prime

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    Ron B.

    We returned to Roots last night to celebrate my oldest daughter's birthday. As you may recall, our first visit was bar only. Last night we had a reservaton for the dining room. As we arrived a bit early, we had cocktails at the bar. Girls had Cosmos. I had Hendricks up with blue cheese stuffed olives. Perfect. Bartender Sue was cheerful and attentive. We were promptly (no rush) seated as we had finished our drinks. I had asked for a quiet corner, as both my bride and I have a hard time hearing in a lively room. They put us a large high round booth in the corner near the fireplace (table 61). Awesome as the girls are always cold and the high round booth did a good job of keeping our voices in and the general noise of lively room out. Our server Kezia warmly greeted us as we were seated and gave us menus (food and wine). I asked, but there are no menu additions. I noticed they had the Billecart-Salmon on the wine list. So I discreetly ordered a bottle. Same bubbles that my bride and I had enjoyed at our wedding 36 years ago. In fact, we missed the cocktail hour of our wedding because the wedding party was taking pictures in the park and polishing off the bubbles. But thats another story. Kezia promptly brought the bubbles which were properly chilled. We bantered about the menu selections while enjoying a birthday toast. We decided on a dozen oysters, the Maine lobster bites and the crab cocktail for appetizers. All were brought promptly and perfectly prepared. The osyters were nice and briney served over ice with traditional cocktail/horseradish, side of tabasco as well as mignonette (my fav). The lump crab was delicious I just wish the portion was larger. I didnt try the Maine bites this time but the girls said they were great. For entrees the girls had petite fillet mignon. One with shrimp. Two mediums, one medium rare. They were OK. The mediums were fine, but the medium rare was pretty medium. I had a prime aged Cowboy (ribeye on bone). It was a decent size and cooked perfect medium rare, but I was expecting to be "wowed". Pretty ordinary. Sides (Au Gratin potato, brussel spouts, mushrooms) were typical steak house fare. Very good but ordinary. We had a Paul Hobbs cab with dinner which was very nice. While perusing the dessert menu, Kezia brought a huge glass full of ice cream and candies to celebrate my daughter's birthday. Very generous portion for the whole table. Gratis. I enjoyed some of the dark chocloate. I skipped the cognac and had a cappuccino which was not very hot at all. The room is very lively. If we didnt have the booth Im not sure we would have been able to hear each other. It was also very busy but Kezia did a great job. She was there anytime we needed her but not over bearing. Her service was excellent as were the busers and other dininig room staff. Pace was perfect. We were seated in the main dining room behind the bar but there is another much smaller room (Ivy Room) to the left when you first walk in. Very white linen and formal plainly decorated as compared the clubby feeling of the main dining room. If we were going to return for dinner we might try the other smaller room. Looked more intimate. But candidly, I kind of enjoy the bar scene here better than the dining room and dinner.

    Filet sandwich, French onion soup and salad
    Wei M.

    We been to Roots Ocean Prime many times for dinner and always enjoyed my experience here. Last weekend, we came for lunch with my family after a Princeton basketball game, and it did not disappoint. Although I did feel slightly under dress. If you are here for lunch, you have to try their express lunch menu. It is a quite reasonably priced, and packed with the same quality and flavor you'd expect from Roots. For about $20, you can get either half lobster roll or filet sandwich, and either lobster bisque or French onion soup and salad. I choose lobster roll with French onion soup and salad. My wife got lobster roll with lobster bisque and salad, my daughter ordered filet sandwich with French onion soup and salad. All items were delicious and perfect amount of food for lunch. The service, as always, was great, with attentive staff ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience. The ambiance is perfect, striking a balance between upscale and welcoming, making it great for both family outings and formal dinners. Roots Ocean Prime remains one of my favorite spots in Princeton, and I'll keep coming back!

    Susanna C.

    Conveniently located in Princeton near Princeton University, right by ample metered parking. Excellent value lunch menu - which includes half a lobster roll, salad and soup. The French Onion soup was excellent - not too salty - and is made with their awesome popovers. Oh the popovers....! Fresh out of the oven, light and fluffy - don't miss out on this! Oysters were fresh! Definitely check it out for lunch!

    NY Prime Strip
    Lindsey M.

    Great service and patio was quite nice but no heaters. Your typical nice restaurant. Everything tasted great, especially the steak and horseradish sauce. I wouldn't get the halibut next time because the portion was small for the price but all the appetizers and sides were tasty. They paced the food really well and our server was super friendly. The starter bread muffin is pretty unique and a great touch.

    Beef Wellington and Mac and cheese
    Anila K.

    My bf took me for my job celebration. I ordered beef Wellington and Mac and cheese. Food, ambience and service all great: I would come back

    French Onion Dip Steak Sandwhich
    Chris H.

    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.

    Carolyn M.

    The food is very good. I particularly like the steakhouse salad. We tend to go for lunch so my husband can get the lunch trio with lobster bisque, slider, and lobster roll.

    Alice J.

    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).

    Anna H.

    My second visit to Roots wasn't as good as the first last year unfortunately. The service was still great, but my husband and I each ordered a medium well filet mignon. Mine came out well-done so it was pretty dry, and his came out more like a medium. Additionally, I ordered a loaded baked potato as a side, and I ate some potato insides that fell onto the plate it was served on. I was not prepared for how salted the plate was (I'd expect it for the outside of a baked potato to a certain extent) - avoid doing that! My friends and husband did really enjoy the potatoes au gratin and macaroni and cheese sides though.

    Oyster Appetizers 1/2 dozen
    Bob M.

    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.

    Celebration platter and an amazing smile
    Dane A.

    Went here for our 2 year anniversary and had a fantastic time. Multiple servers came up to us to greet us and ask how we were doing. I ordered the porterhouse with the cherry peppers in beurre blanc which was a perfect acid balance to the richness of the steak. The drinks were poured heavy which is perfect for me because I love to save money. Even the head chef came out to personally thank us for dining and made sure our steak was to our preferences. Quick tip ask for the samba sauce on the side as it was a nice sweet and spicy contrast to the steak. Thank you to the managers that night Matt and Jarrod, the servers Kim, Juan, Christian, Kezia, Tenaya, and Cameron, and the bartenders Dan and Lucas as well as the head chef Brett and the steak master Nelson on the broiler. Everyone made our night spectacular and a memory we cherish.

    Complimentary dessert from our server. We were celebrating my niece finishing her first year as a hockey Coach!

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    The best in princeton's restaurants. Expensive but worth it. Excellent steak and friendly staff

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    Food was great. Service, quite sloppy. Waiter had to be reminded to fill water glasses and provide a place setting for each diner.

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    My wife and I simply cannot say enough about the quality of service, quality of the food and attention to detail during our meal.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Roots Ocean Prime

    Do they serve wine? or is it byob?

    Yes they do, both by the bottle and glass.

    Can you make Reservations?

    Yes you can

    Hello, do they have happy hour?

    No they dont have happy hour

    View All 4 Questions

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    Witherspoon Grill - Creamed spinach and Fries

    Witherspoon Grill

    3.8(651 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    When we are in the area this is our go to date night spot. We typically order the same thing but…read morelast night my bf switched from the ribeye to the strip steak. We are bar people so we sit there if it's just the 2 of us. Jackie the bartender is absolutely amazing! She makes a delicious dirty martini (and all drinks) Over the winter I did dry January and she made me a fun mocktail which was very nice of her! The filet is perfectly tender and the bernaise sauce is the best I've had out. Has a nice lemon tone, which I love the brightness of the acidity. The fries are like McDonald's but a step up, and creamed spinach is also a favorite. It is heavier on the cream and cheese side which we enjoy! This time around we did not get dessert but the Witherspoon Sundae is a MUST I also love the oyster sampler app which is nice to try different varieties!

    Pros: We loved the open concept and the natural light…read morepouring in through the windows--being on the corner really adds to the bright, inviting atmosphere. We started with cosmos, which were good (though not quite perfect). I ordered the turkey BLT, served with homemade potato chips that honestly stole the show. Our server, Noel, was attentive and thoughtful, even surprising us with complimentary glasses of champagne for our anniversary. Cons: The Witherspoon Burger was ordered medium to medium-well but came out fully well done. It still had good flavor, but the doneness was off. The fries were underwhelming and nothing particularly memorable. We also ordered the toasted pound cake with strawberries and cream--while the toasted outer layer was delicious, the rest of the cake didn't quite live up to it, and we ended up leaving much of it uneaten. Overall: Between the lovely ambiance, great service, and solid food, we'd still consider coming back--though there's a bit of room for improvement when it comes to consistency.

    Photos
    Witherspoon Grill - Cozy atmosphere

    Cozy atmosphere

    Witherspoon Grill - Strip Steak with bernaise sauce

    Strip Steak with bernaise sauce

    Witherspoon Grill - Dirty martini and French Chardonnay

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    Dirty martini and French Chardonnay

    Agricola Eatery - Tuna Tartare

    Agricola Eatery

    3.9(1.4k reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    Good food , lively vibrant ambience, and good company makes for a great evening . The service was…read moregood except they missed the occasion we were celebrating and didn't care to bring out a candle with the dessert we ordered . As we were leaving I reconfirmed it with the person at the host's desk ( seemed to be the manager) , who apologized and said maybe our waiter missed it . But it was a noticeable miss that cannot be overlooked, as that was the purpose of our dinner here. End of the meal, our family's spirits fell flat, but we still sang and celebrated sans the petty candle. Now on to the food and drinks... Mocktails were delicious, colorful, and eye-catching . We tried all 3 on the menu and loved it. Appetizers galore filled our table ... Bang Bang cauliflower had a medley of sweet & sour flavors. Hummus pita board - Warm grilled pita was a table favorite with the small portion of hummus and fresh crisp veggies. Harvest salad - crisp lettuce, feta cheese, walnuts, poached and fresh sliced pear, cucumbers, and watermelon radish with rose vinaigrette made this extra special. Crispy calamari - great pairing with pickled veggies and arugula basil aioli. We ordered an assortment of entrees with all seafood choices . Salmon with risotto , Halibut & Branzino cooked to perfection served with flavorful sides. For dessert, it was the warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and peanut butter cup . The brownie was soft and not too sweet, slightly warm and it vanished in a few seconds. Peanut butter cup was a dense donut texture with candied peanuts We hoped that at least one of the desserts would be served with a candle as we were celebrating a birthday but they missed it and didn't care enough despite letting them know when marking the reservation. I loved everything about the experience at Agricola, but their lack of attention to detail stuck out like a sore thumb , as the poor communication between their front desk and wait staff dampens the guests' experience , making it a not-so-great finish .

    Another fine meal at Agricola. The Calamari was light and flavorful without being overwhelmed by…read morethe breading. My Salmon was superb along with service that was right on time. In contrast to their far more expansive location in Morristown, the Princeton location is noticeably more "intimate" with Manhattan inspired table crowding. Not enough to detract from a wonderful meal but certainly worth noting. Five stars all day long. PS... no credit card surcharge. A surprise that certainly puts a smile on my face.

    Photos
    Agricola Eatery - Beautiful ambiance.  Great vibe.

    Beautiful ambiance. Great vibe.

    Agricola Eatery - Roasted Local Mushroom Medley

    Roasted Local Mushroom Medley

    Agricola Eatery - Santa's Sleigh (w/nonalcoholic rum) & Spicy Holiday

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    Santa's Sleigh (w/nonalcoholic rum) & Spicy Holiday

    The Perch At Peacock Inn - Bread is complimentary

    The Perch At Peacock Inn

    4.5(79 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Less a restaurant than an experience in immaculate luxury... where the quarter percenters must go…read moreto keep the remaining one percenters out of sight and mind. For years I have been boring friends, family and anyone who would listen about the wretched state of service in the US, unfortunately made even more dismal by the pandemic. Well, I'm happy to report that service isn't dead, it's just lounging in the witness protection program at a place called the Perch at Peacock. Service here is as gracious and precise as a metronome and is a welcome respite from the current shambolic state of things on planet earth. And before I forget, the food... almost matching the service which is saying something. I absolutely loved the Restaurant Week Hangar Steak and Tomato Bisque with a finger sandwich of grilled cheese and lobster. Tastes that I'm unlikely to replicate as I return to the assorted diners and dives that are not privy to the safe harbor of witness protection and the unwashed remnants of the one percent. Damn. I almost don't have to say it, an easy five stars.

    I was so looking forward to dinner here at the venerable Peacock Inn. I had worked in the…read moreneighborhood a few years ago and it was always considered the fancy place for an elegant meal. Sadly, our weekday meal was a disappointment. My friend and I were only one of two parties dining in the restaurant. The menu overall feels old and dated. It features Just the classics, which is fine if executed well, but the execution was seriously lacking. The little gem salad featured pickled cucumbers in a very sharp vinegar sitting next to overdressed, lettuce and kale. It also had very large round carrots, which I think were completely unnecessary. The complimentary bread was brought to the table, warm and featured little mini salads on the side, which was a thoughtful touch. My entree of duck was a substitute for the more exciting braised short ribs mentioned initially. The breast was tough and chewy and the bread crumb on the leg was mushy and not crisp. Desert was our last hope but the flourless cake proved to be a hard, tough dome. Shout out for the kind and thoughtful wait staff! Overall, however, a let down. What a shame! There are too many excellent restaurants in the Princeton area and a clientele that definitely have a global palate so I worry this place might not last.

    Photos
    The Perch At Peacock Inn
    The Perch At Peacock Inn - The Cherry

    The Cherry

    The Perch At Peacock Inn - New Year's Eve Prix Fixe Menu

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    New Year's Eve Prix Fixe Menu

    Kristines - Warm Bread Served

    Kristines

    4.1(201 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$

    Here I go again--another French bistro I absolutely adore…read more Christine's French Bistro is everything you want in a cozy, decadent French spot: small, intimate, softly lit with sconces, and anchored by a beautiful bar you can dine at or just sip champagne and linger. Let's be honest--I come here for one reason: the soufflés. They are my kryptonite. Sweet or savory, they never disappoint. I've had the chocolate (rich, decadent, flawless), though I'm still chasing my ultimate favorite--the elusive Grand Marnier soufflé. One day... Beyond that: * Mussels + champagne = always a win * Service is warm and welcoming * Prices feel fair for the quality and experience This place has become part of my ritual when I'm in the area. I'll fly into Newark Liberty International Airport, hop on the Amtrak Acela, get off in Princeton, head straight here, and yes--plan my trip around a soufflé. No regrets. The location is perfect--right in the heart of Princeton, which is one of those charming, walkable towns with tree-lined streets and that classic, almost European feel. There's garage parking nearby, but honestly, once you're there, you won't need your car. Perfect for: * Date night * Dessert and champagne with friends * Solo bar seating (highly recommend) Bottom line: Elegant, cozy, and worth going out of your way for--especially if you love a proper soufflé. Life's too short not to eat well. Go make it happen.

    Very disappointed. To begin, the first basket of bread was stale and cold. One small pat of butter…read morefor a table of 3. 2 of our group ordered the steak frites and the steak was tough and full of gristle which made it inedible. There were literally 8 French fries on the plate and they were cold. I understand restaurants are trying to cut costs but potatoes are still cheap. One diner had the lamb special which was supposed to be served with a sauce but was dry and flavorless. The accompanying black rice was just there. The only positive was our server who was helpful and friendly. This is Princeton for Pete's sake. Most of the patrons have been to France and know good dining.

    Photos
    Kristines - French Bistro (Interior Seating)

    French Bistro (Interior Seating)

    Kristines - 6oz Hanger Steak, Poached Eggs & Breakfast Potatoes

    6oz Hanger Steak, Poached Eggs & Breakfast Potatoes

    Kristines - Rainbow Trout Meunière & Green Beans

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    Rainbow Trout Meunière & Green Beans

    Mistral - Pan Seared Snapper ($34) - celery root puree, buttered leeks, potato sarladaises, confit tomatoes​

    Mistral

    3.9(768 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    We came here on a Sunday morning and there was only one other party seated, so it was pretty quiet…read more That may have been due to it being MLK weekend, with many people out of town for the long weekend. I ordered the Grilled Chicken Wrap, which was excellent, packed with chicken and very filling. I ended up taking half home because it was both generous and delicious. The side salad was also surprisingly good. We ended up returning later for happy hour, which takes place in the room to the right of the hostess stand. I highly recommend stopping by for drinks and bites if you're in the mood for classic cocktails and solid food. Happy hour is first come, first served and limited to the bar only (around 15 seats total). We arrived right when it started, and when we left about 40 minutes later, the bar was about half full. I'd definitely come back to try their dinner or to enjoy their happy hour again.

    Wow just wow. Had a…read morebusiness meeting here. I don't even know how to communicate how delicious it was. We got some starters. West Coast Oysters - filled with lime and pickled cucumbers. Tuna Sashimi - spicy fish over green melon. Such a great combination. Who thought of this?!? Crispy Salmon Bites - my second favorite thing tonight. I got the scallops over peas with bacon as my main meal and man was it amazing. Best scallops I've ever had. I am trying to decide if I want to leave my current spot and work for him. Taking me here was a major step in the right direction. He said we could meet here monthly since it is halfway between us. Uhhhh I guess I should say yes!!

    Photos
    Mistral - Open kitchen

    Open kitchen

    Mistral - Crispy Salmon Bites ($12) - togarashi, nori, tayaki sauce​. Sauce was surprisingly sweet. It's mostly rice.

    Crispy Salmon Bites ($12) - togarashi, nori, tayaki sauce​. Sauce was surprisingly sweet. It's mostly rice.

    Mistral - Crispy Salmon Bites ($12) - togarashi, nori, tayaki sauce​. Sauce was surprisingly sweet. It's mostly rice.

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    Crispy Salmon Bites ($12) - togarashi, nori, tayaki sauce​. Sauce was surprisingly sweet. It's mostly rice.

    Roots Ocean Prime - steak - Updated May 2026

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