Chef George Reis's Ocean Restaurant celebrates 15th Anniversary! 
By Ross McCay
Birmingham Restaurants isn't the only one celebrating a big anniversary this month. Ocean had a celebration for the ages with former chefs and bartenders from the past coming back for this special event to serve historic faves and new dishes and drinks.
Our publisher, Jan Walsh and her husband, Kevin were there with Reis and team for the finale night of the celebration on Saturday, March 18. Former sous chef, Chef Garrett Osburn was cooking and featured a Blue Crab Salad, Wood Grilled Wild Striped Bass, and Seared Red Venison. Since leaving Ocean Garrett started Osburn Acres Inc. The company assisted Piggly Wiggly Crestline in starting their fresh seafood market.
The Walshes ordered The Storyteller and Vulcan cocktails, apps of Blue Crab Salad and Lobster Roll, Lobster Pot Pie and Hereford Filet Mignon as entrees, and dessert pairing of Caramel Lava Cake and Bananas Foster Dessert Martini. Read dinner review Walsh's "Taste" column in May issue of B-Metro magazine and our Reviews.
Ocean kicked off the first of two nights of the week long celebration by inviting all past Ocean employees to receive 30 percent off their dinner tab with their first sous chef, Marc Albino cooking. On March 14, Ian Barker and Ric Trent, also former sous chefs at Ocean cooked. On March 15 Brandon Cain and John Hall, former sous chef and line cook, manned the kitchen. And guest bartenders were Robby Greenwood, Neal Hardy, and Miguel Garrett. March 16 Gabby Aguilar and Dionicio Hernandez were guest chefs. On March 17 William and Ellen Rogers, who met while working at Ocean, were guest chef and bartender. The couple is opening
Avondale Common House and Distillery later this year, which will be a Member Restaurant of Birmingham Restaurants.
If you weren't fortunate enough to experience the 15-year anniversary this week at Ocean, be sure to check out their menu. Ocean is one of Birmingham’s most recognized restaurants, winning multiple awards over the years including Birmingham's Best Chef (George Reis) and Best Restaurant, not to mention a regular winner of the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator and Winner of the AAA Four Diamond award.
