Tucked away in a corner of Element mall’s Civic Square, Prime is a steakhouse among the handful of bars and restaurants that act as refuges for financiers or nearby residents to unwind. Tables are set out in al fresco style on the ground floor for those who fancy a quick drink, while its second floor, with classic brick columns, is designed for a more comfortable dining experience. First thing one would notice on the second floor is the dimly lit interior and easy-listening music that send out a nice and romantic vibe. Views from the Civic Square are unfortunately nowhere close to breathtaking, regardless of where one is seated. 

As described by our server, Prime’s seafood platter is of a generous portion and very fresh. The freshly shucked oysters, shrimps, crab meat, salmon and scallop set atop a gargantuan bowl of ice were as enjoyable as our delicately arranged burratta, which showcased a brilliant combination of Iberian ham, mozzarella cheese, rocket leaves and sliced pear for a sensational journey of taste – a touch of salt, sweetness and tartness with every mouthful. The lack of vegetarian dishes is a lapse that the restaurant should address, but meat lovers will smile like kids in a candy store, for there is a myriad of meat dishes on offer, including eight types of steak cuts. We found its signature 14-oz rib-eye steak hard to love. Despite having arrived at the perfect temperature with the right tenderness, our medium rare appeared to be over-seared on the outside and rather dry on the inside. What was lacking in the steak was more than compensated in the confit chicken with roasted jus, however. Slow cooking allows all flavours to be retained under the skin, inside the white meat, while the gravy perfectly set off the taste of the game. The homemade-style chocolate banana sundae was rich in flavour, although it could have been a little creamier, it nevertheless proved to be a nice way to finish our meal.

We enjoyed our thoroughly aired shiraz cabernet from Prime’s expansive wine list, which offers 19 wines - red, white, sparkling and rose - by the glass. Another 69 bottles are available from a good mix of regions and grape types from HK$350 for a new world riesling to just under HK$9,990 for a bottle of 1995 Chateaux Mouton Rothschild.

We enjoyed our thoroughly aired shiraz cabernet from Prime’s expansive wine list, which offers 19 wines - red, white, sparkling and rose - by the glass. Another 69 bottles are available from a good mix of regions and grape types from HK$350 for a new world riesling to just under HK$9,990 for a bottle of 1995 Chateaux Mouton Rothschild.

Seeing that Prime is filled with financiers working at nearby ICC, the satisfying meal for two came understandably to about HK$800 apiece, arguably a banker’s price for a restaurant with no view, but still a relatively justifiable cost thanks to the lovely ambience.