Part of the ever-expanding culinary empire of Nemo, Big Pink, and Shoji Sushi, Prime One Twelve is the media darling of the exclusive group of restaurants in the hot South of Fifth Street area of South Beach, ranking near the top of the list of highest-grossing restaurants in the entire country in 2007 and proving recession proof in 2009, reporting an unheard-of increase in business and profits. A frenzied, celebrity-saturated sleek steakhouse ambience and bustling bar (complete with dried strips of bacon in lieu of nuts) play second fiddle to the beef, which is arguably the best in the entire city, although some carnivores say it's all flash and no flesh (of the edible kind) and prefer BLT Steak, Bourbon Steak, and stalwarts like Capital Grille. The 12-ounce filet mignon is seared to perfection and can be enhanced with optional dipping sauces (for a price) -- truffle, garlic herb, foie gras, and chipotle. The 22-ounce bone-in rib-eye is a good choice if you can afford it, as is the gigantic 48-ounce porterhouse. Prime One Twelve also features a $20 Kobe-beef hot dog, Kobe-beef sliders -- think White Castle on an expense account ($20) -- and a Kobe burger, a $30 version of sheer ecstasy. Fries are extra at $10, as are all the sauces ($2 each, but don't bother) and side dishes (the broccoli rabe sautéed in garlic is outstanding, as are the scalloped potatoes) -- typical in a steakhouse, but the prices here are hefty. A powerhouse crowd gathers here for lunch and dinner, and reservations are rarer than the yellowfin tuna tartare appetizer, but should you be lucky enough to score such a "prime" reservation, take it without hesitation. If not, consider Prime's sister restaurant across the street, Prime Italian, 101 Ocean Dr. (tel. 305/695-8484), a pricey red-sauce spot that's not nearly as much of a scene, but features swift service, outdoor seating with a view of the Prime One Twelve parade across the street and, yes, an easier reservation to snag.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
