When Ocean 362 reopens for the season at Gallows Point Resort next month, it will do so with a new look, new menu and a new chef operator, and we have to admit, we’re pretty excited about this.
The new and improved Ocean 362 will be headed by Chef Shaun Brian Sells. Shaun Brian was born and raised on St. John and most recently worked as a chef at La Tapa. Shaun Brian said Ocean 362’s new focus will be on thoughtfully sourced, chef-driven island to table cuisine. His goal is to create spectacular dinners for guests that they would otherwise not be able to create on their own.
What we find to be pretty cool about Shaun Brian’s vision is that he plans to source as many products locally as possible. For example, he plans to source grass-fed beef from St. Croix and has already planted herb beds near the restaurant at Gallows Point in order to make certain he always has fresh herbs on hand. He plans to incorporate Josephine’s organic greens – grown in Coral Bay – into dishes as well.
We got our hands on a copy of the tentative menu, and it looks pretty delicious. The menu includes everything from bites – small plates similar to tapas – to full entrées. Here is a sample of the restaurant’s new menu:
- Salt fish croquettes with Creola Barbados aioli, parsley & citrus
- Johnny Cake Sliders with crispy pork belly and local turmeric mustard
- House lemon infused farmers cheese with roasted roots, spicy arugula and truffle vinaigrette
- Local tuna tartar with pan-seared watermelon, avocado mousse, feta, radish micro greens, pickled rind & bermuda onion
- St. Croix grass fed beef burger with munster cheese, butter bread, tamarind ketchup , avocado and house cut fries
- Farmers plate: a chef-inspired vegetarian & vegan crafted dish
- Freebird farms chicken and dumplings with cracked pepper, gravy, baby carrots & chives
- Local grass fed Senepole ribeye with fungi (the Caribbean’s version of polenta), stewed okra and Santo Domingo tomato marmalade
Ocean 362 will have a soft reopening Wednesday, October 8. A grand opening event complete with a guest chef is planned for Friday, October 10.
The restaurant will be open six days a week through November 3. Beginning November 4, it will be open seven days a week. Ocean 362’s upstairs lounge will open at 5 p.m. and bites will be available beginning at 5:30 p.m. Dinner service will begin in the main dining area at 6 p.m. The restaurant plans to close at 9:30 p.m., although hours will be extended during high season.
Sounds very tasty but I am sad to see bluefin tuna on the menu. The species is on the brink of collapse from overfishing.
David, I only read “blue fin” in the photo’s caption. The sample menu for Ocean 362 says simply “local tuna”.
Nice write up your so going to rock the dinning scene on St John! Be back for a taste in early November.
It will be fabulous, Shaun Brian. Your thoughtful resourcefulness, innovation, and love of St. john will serve you well. Rafe and I are wishing you all the very best in your culinary endeavor at Ocean 362!
So happy to hear this news. I’ll be in for dinner first of November. Make my reservation for Nov 5 th, 7:30. Right after the first cocktail party!
Definitely be back in November. Loved it last year..