That Shrimp Damn Near Melted My Face Off
My wife and I went out for a grown-up night. We planned on hitting up the Brass Tap, but they were way too crowded. We decided to try Prime Bar instead. Prime Bar is located in the Wiregrass Shops in New Tampa across from the Brass Tap.
We both just wanted a beer, but the menu had a few unique items. After looking it over a few times, we finally settled on the Habanero Shrimp Tempura. I expected to receive a paper-lined plastic basket with some soggy battered/fried shrimp with some wing sauce on them. I was pleasantly surprised.
The shrimp was plated on a large tortilla on a bed of lettuce. There was a separate bowl for the ranch sauce, and a few carrots and celery sticks. I took a bite of the shrimp expecting a mediocre flavor. I was immediately wowed. This was the spiciest dish I had at a restaurant in recent memory. The sauce was super spicy with the perfect balance of tangy. The tempura was delicate and very crispy.
I ordered a Rogue Dead Guy ale at the same time as the shrimp. It turned out to be the perfect compliment to the dish, both for flavor as well as cooling down the experience.
Altogether, the atmosphere at Prime Bar was kind of dead, but the food and beer were spot on. The decor and furniture arrangement reminded me of a hotel bar. If they work at bringing in the customers while at the same time not compromising the bold flavors, I think they might have a good thing going.
