Ocean Market Set To Open in Downtown Atlanta March 2014

Chef Shane McIntosh, executive chef and owner of Ocean Catering Company, is thrilled to announce the opening of his first dine-in concept, Ocean Market – a new Atlanta eatery set to open Monday, March 10, 2014. At the helm of one of Atlanta’s top catering companies for more than a decade, Chef Shane will also now showcase his talents at his new Peachtree Street storefront locale in bustling Downtown Atlanta.  Offering a grab-and-go-style lunch menu tailored to busy professionals, area residents and more, Chef Shane’s new concept will be open every Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Our catering company has been located in Downtown for 11 years and my wife Sage and I felt it was time we fill the need for a lunch spot that offered fresh and healthy options and catered to the needs of busy professionals and locals alike,” says Chef Shane.

“We’re very proud to be a part of the Downtown community and look forward to expanding our offerings in addition to providing an exceptional and authentic experience along with fantastic fare at Ocean Market,” adds Sage Stewart, co-owner of Ocean Catering Company and Ocean Market.  

Located in the same building as Ocean Catering Company headquarters, the new 1400-square foot storefront features butcher-block counter tops and a small dine-in area, complete with eat-in bar seating and a community table in the center of the intimate eatery. Industrial design elements like stainless steel drink coolers and Edison bulb light fixtures give the space a modern feel, while custom details such as handmade server aprons and hand-crafted outdoor dining furniture add a touch of European-chic. During warmer months, diners can take advantage of the outdoor, Parisian-style bistro seating to enjoy coffee, lunch or snacks while people watching along Peachtree Street or taking advantage of Ocean Market’s wireless Internet.  Located on bustling Peachtree Street, directly across from Emory Hospital and several other large area businesses, Ocean Market will serve on-the-go Downtown professionals, locals and travelers alike hungry for a fresh take on lunch or a quick and healthy snack.

“The inspiration for Ocean Market came to me a few years ago, when I had the fortunate experience to visit Paris with my family,” explains Chef Shane. 

“I just loved walking through the old city next to the River Seine, passing all of the little bistros, bakeries and street food stands. I couldn't help but smile to see my little girl and beautiful wife walking with banana Nutella crepes next to me and my boys with our Swiss jambon thin paninis. I wanted to bring that look, that experience and more important – that feel that I had in Paris to Downtown Atlanta.”  

The well-rounded and expansive menu features a variety of reasonably priced lunch fare available for dine-in or takeout, from fresh salads and soups to traditional and panini style sandwiches and delicious crepes, all with Chef McIntosh’s signature creative spin.  Known for his sense of humor and always-positive outlook, Ocean Market’s not-so-traditional sandwich selection includes twists on classics and plenty of vegetarian-friendly options. The Kinda BLT, sliced pancetta, roasted garlic aioli, crispy lettuce and fresh tomato, and the DLT - What!?, a vegan version of the BLT that is served with toasted dulse seaweed, ground gomashio, crispy lettuce, fresh tomato and garlic aioli, speak true to Chef Shane’s style and offer diners an alternative “BLT” experience. Sandwiches like his Smoked Salmon Club, house-smoked salmon, crisp turkey bacon, and citrus marmalade, double stacked with fresh lettuce and tomato, and the Oh Yeah! - Pimento Cheese satisfies cravings for a more hearty meal. Panini-style sandwiches like the Greatest Grilled Cheese Ever!!!, a smoked Gouda, triple crème Brie and homemade spiced pimento cheese grilled cheese sandwich, and the PB&J Panini, a toasty combination of fresh pear, Brie cheese and jambon served with creole mustard and arugula promise to delight those looking for a hot lunch.

Featuring soups made fresh daily on premise, diners are invited to indulge in adventurous options like Chef Shane’s African peanut or potato and parsnip soups, while his seafood bisque, roasted corn chowder, and white bean and turkey chili are sure to be crowd pleasers. Numerous made-to-order salad options served with homemade dressings cover everything a discerning palate could want:  Asian, Indian, Italian and Greek flavors can all be found in the thoughtfully crafted selection. Salads like the Dirty South Bread Salad, mixed greens with Heirloom tomatoes, thick croutons, steamed crab and seared crawfish tails tossed in basil pistou; and the Roasted Beet Salad: roasted beets, fresh segmented oranges on a bed of mixed greens tossed in citrus vinaigrette and topped with fresh goat cheese and basil, are sure to become fast favorites. Sold by the weight, Tuscan pasta salad, cous cous salad, Jamaican slaw, Grandma’s Mc’s egg salad, and Chef Shane’s blue cheese chicken salad are just a sampling of menu items that can also complement a meal at home.

A variety of crepes, both sweet and savory, round out the Ocean Market menu. Flavorful options like the Tripping Daisy, a vegetarian crepe filled with wild mushroom duxelle and parmesan aioli; the Yard Bird, a grilled chicken option with Gruyere, lettuce, sliced tomato and green onion aioli; and the Bleu Beef, a hearty beef tenderloin, sliced aged cheddar, horseradish aioli and crumbled bleu cheese crepe, provide a delightful alternative to traditional sandwiches. For those with a sweet tooth, Ocean Market’s Berries and Crème and Apple Crunch crepes can serve as the perfect ending to any lunch or are an ideal mid-day snack.

Ocean Market is set to open its doors on March 3, 2014 for dine-in and takeout business. Located at 489 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, hours of operation will be Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Ocean Market will be closed on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information and please visit www.oceanmarketatl.com. Stay connected on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oceanmarketatlanta and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/oceanmarketatl.

About Chef Shane McIntosh:

Chef Shane McIntosh, executive chef and owner of Ocean Catering Company, started out washing dishes in the late night blues bars of Memphis, Tennessee when he was just 14, and quickly moved on to the tough, exacting school of classic French cuisine. Holding his own with veteran chefs, he fell in love with the restaurant life and eventually gained the precision and discipline to complement his natural ability. This exuberant, well-rounded chef – once compared to Julia Child with tattoos – is just as proud of his dry-rubbed barbecue as he is of his caramelized mango foie gras. By age 20, Chef Shane took over ownership of the Babylon Café, a pioneer in the farm-to-table movement, which instilled the basics of using seasonal ingredients and local offerings.  He then went on to study a variety of flavors and techniques in some of the country’s most renowned kitchens. From the Caribbean cuisine of Automatic Slims Tonga Club, to The Main Dining Room of the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, to the prestigious James Beard House in New York City, to private dining in Paris, Chef Shane now pulls these influences together, creating his own style of robust culinary prowess. 

 Chef Shane, at heart, is a proud southerner who appreciates good food and family. In 2002, he launched Ocean Catering Company – named after his eldest son Angus Ocean McIntosh – and soon established himself as one of the premier caterers in the Southeast. Whatever the event and no matter how large or small, Chef Shane can always be found outside the kitchen – usually with a wide grin on his face – making sure all the guests are savoring every bite. For more information on Ocean Catering Company visit www.oceancateringcompany.com.