Look, I'm all for a nice meal, but I don't want to be somewhere so formal that I feel like I really…read morehave to behave myself. Prime & Providence strikes that balance really well. It's polished and upscale, but it never feels snooty or overly formal. There's still a casualness to the place that makes it feel approachable, and I liked that right away.
I was there for a work dinner, and the service was excellent. Our server, Chris, was dynamite--attentive, funny, and full of great recommendations. She gave us just the right amount of attention without hovering, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.
I had the Chilean sea bass, which was cooked perfectly, tender inside with a really nice sear that gave it a crisp exterior. It was served over a creamy fondue that was just slightly lemony and complemented the fish really well. My coworker had the filet and absolutely loved it, saying it was literally one of the best steaks she's ever had. They grill their steaks over charcoal, and that char really came through not just on the filet, but also on the broccolini we ordered.
The standout for me, though, was the creamed corn with crab. Big chunks of crab, sweet corn, a savory cream sauce and perfectly cooked pieces of bacon. It sounds like it should be heavy, but it really wasn't. Just incredibly flavorful, and probably my favorite thing we had all night.
We finished with a dessert that had cinnamon ice cream, oats, crunchy bits and plenty of sweetness. I think it was called Jim's Oatmeal Something, which sounds vaguely like something you'd feed a horse, but it was actually delicious. Kind of like a really good cobbler without the fruit. Whatever it was called, I'd order it again.
We had cocktails, and the total came to about $300 for two, so this is definitely a place for a special occasion or when you feel like splurging a little. But the food, service and atmosphere all delivered, and I'd definitely come back.
I'm honestly surprised this is sitting at four stars on Yelp. Based on my experience, Prime & Providence is a five-star restaurant. If you want a really good meal in a place that feels special without making you feel like you need to wear a tuxedo and mind your manners, this is a great choice.