Ocean & Acre Dives into the New Year with New Menu, Lunch Service and Leadership
Short days, long nights and cold, rainy weather can bring a case of winter doldrums and the need for a vacation. Those longing for the taste of freshly shucked oysters or peel-and-eat shrimp with an ice-cold beverage can skip expensive fights and hotel reservations and take a mini staycation right here at home with the revamped dinner menu and newly launched lunch service at Ocean & Acre.
New Ocean & Acre executive chef Mauricio Reyes, who has more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, both internationally and stateside, is committed to honoring Southern Proper Hospitality Group’s commitment to providing unforgettable guest experiences.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to have access to the freshest local produce, meats and seafood,” says Reyes. “I hope our guests appreciate the love, care and attention to detail that we put into all of our dishes.”
Reyes and his team have refreshed Ocean & Acre’s dinner menu with a variety of new dishes and a new “Market Seafood” section where guests can choose from a selection of fresh-caught fish and shellfish, prepared grilled or blackened, with a choice of lemon caper butter, sherry soy or tomato caper olive sauces. The “Fried Seafood” section boasts a choice of oysters or jumbo Gulf Shrimp, fish-n-chips, frito misto or twin lobster tails. Among the other dinner menu highlights are:
Chargrilled oysters with spinach, applewood bacon and Sambuca
Seared Hawaiian ahi tuna with soy-togarashi marinade, mixed greens, fresh mango, avocado, heirloom tomato and mango vinaigrette
Seared jumbo scallops with butternut squash-corn succotash
14-ounce chili-rubbed ribeye served with a loaded baked potato
Wagyu burger made with Chatel Farms ground beef, O+A burger sauce, red onion, house pickles, Kalera lettuce and a brioche bun
Reyes—who formerly was executive chef at Rumi’s Kitchen in Atlanta and held several positions with Hillstone Restaurant Group including culinary manager in Beverly Hills, California—also has curated a lunch menu of classic Southern seafood dishes as well as internationally inspired plates. For this midday escape, guests can eat lighter or be more communal with a bite from the “Snack & Share” section, go the traditional route with “Soup and Salad” or luxuriate in a sampling from the “Chilled Shellfish Bar.” The menu also boasts heartier lunch fare from the grill, fresh-caught fish and shellfish along with a selection of freshly prepared warm sandwiches and classic fried seafood. Among the mouthwatering lunch menu dishes are:
Cast-iron crab cake packed with succulent blue crab and served with a flavorful Creole mustard aioli
Blackened salmon tacos with house remoulade and cabbage slaw
New England clam chowder with applewood bacon crumbles and crunchy croutons
Stuffed cauliflower with tender Swiss chard, savory garlic and tangy herb cream cheese
Hot buttered lobster roll on toasted brioche
Fried jumbo Gulf shrimp served with house-made coleslaw, crispy French fries and zesty tartar sauce
Ocean & Acre’s menus are complemented by a vast beverage menu featuring innovative craft cocktails, mocktails, wines by the glass and bottle and beer. Guests can experience Ocean & Acre’s patio that features a peaceful infinity water feature and cozy fireplace or head inside to dine in the spacious and beautifully designed dining room, well-lit and evocative of a modern barn.
Ocean & Acre is located at 6290 Halcyon Way, Suite 620, Alpharetta, GA 30005 and is open for lunch Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and dinner Monday-Saturday 4-10 p.m. and Sunday 4-9 p.m. Starting this spring, lunch service will be seven days a week. For more information, visit oceanandacre.com.