Prominent steak and seafood brand chooses Sarasota for latest location

An Ohio restaurant group is expanding its seafood and steak brand into Sarasota with an expected opening of late 2024. 

The waterfront restaurant Ocean Prime will be located within The Quay Sarasota, a 14-acre waterfront development overlooking the Sarasota Bay that combines luxury residences with upscale shopping and dining, according to a statement. The location will be CMR’s 19th of the brand and its first Sarasota location. 

“It was a natural choice to bring Ocean Prime’s award-winning elevated experience to Quay Sarasota’s scenic waterfront setting, and we know it will enhance the experiences of those who live, work and play here,” says Grady Miars, president of Jacksonville-based GreenPointe Developers LLC, which is the developer of The Quay Sarasota. “With a reputation for innovation and vision, it is our pleasure to create this remarkable waterfront destination and enrich the city’s vibrant arts and culture district.”

The 9,500-square-feet of space will provide enough room for over 350 seats, two bars, outdoor terraces and two private dining rooms, according to a press release. The menu includes specialty items like a smoking shellfish tower, prime steaks, sea scallops with parmesan risotto, and a ten-layer carrot cake.

"We look forward to bringing our extraordinary Ocean Prime dining experience to Sarasota," Cameron Mitchell, founder and CEO of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, says in the release. “Sarasota is close to my heart – and where I have vacationed with my family for nearly 20 years. With our exceptional menu, vibrant atmosphere and dedication to genuine hospitality, this location promises to be a premier dining destination for both residents and visitors of Sarasota."

This will be the fourth Ocean Prime to open in Florida, with the other locations in Tampa, Orlando and Naples. It’s CMR’s sixth restaurant in Florida overall with the brand’s Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern at the University Town Center. The release states the company plans to grow more within the state “strategically.”