Greer's OC

Chef Craig Strong just opened Ocean at Main in Laguna Beach, fulfilling a long-time career dream to open his own restaurant. The location is exceptional – 222 Ocean Avenue near Main Beach, and it will be open daily for lunch and dinner.

After nearly 25 years of working at luxury hotels and resorts around the globe, Strong has come full circle to his native Southern California roots with the opening of Ocean at Main. From growing up in San Diego and cooking with produce from the family garden, this chef/owner is now sharing his Coastal California cuisine with the community he has embraced for the past decade.

At dinner, the menu will begin with simply delicious temptations, such as Hawaiian Prawn Potato Soup or Charred Spanish Octopus with cauliflower ratatouille, carnival amaranth, and parsley sauce. Then guests can choose Dungeness Crab Cavatelli, Pressed Organic Chicken, Pan Seared Pork Chops or Oxtail Kale Risotto.

At lunch, you can choose from starters such as Chilled Kusshi Oysters or Squash Blossom Tempura and then enjoy a salad like Baby Spinach Caesar or Roasted Beet Salad with beet tartare, beet “yolk,” crème fraîche and horseradish snow. Also, on the menu are not-run-of-the-mill sandwiches like Grilled Pork Belly “PLT” with blistered shishito peppers and Spicy Ahi Tuna Tartare Tartin. For heartier lunch lovers is a mouth-watering selection of pasta and flatbreads and main courses such as Beef Tournedos with roasted sunchokes and bordelaise.

At Ocean at Main, Pastry Chef Keara Wilson will create delicious desserts such as Tainori Chocolate Torte, Craig’s Spice Cake with cinnamon meringue and crème fraîche ice cream and Sweet Potato Panna Cotta with poached pear and more.

The Kids Menu offers flavorful favorites like Small Mozzarella Cheese and Tomato Pizza and House Breaded Organic Chicken Tenders, but “adventurous young eaters” can order smaller portions off the regular menus.

Ocean at Main is at 222 Ocean Avenue in Laguna Beach. 949.715.3870.