New restaurant with modern American food opens to public in newly built community

What's the name of the new restaurant in Port St. Lucie?

Blu Ocean Grille

Where is Blu Ocean Grille?

8500 S.W. America Walks Blvd., Port St. Lucie; in the new community of Encore at Tradition

Who is Blu Ocean Grille's chef?

Chef Joseph “Joe” Longo’s Italian roots inspired his culinary career. He started at age 17 as a line cook at Pastabilities Ristorante in Short Hills, New Jersey. After he moved to Florida, he became sous chef at Alberto’s La Terraza in Boca Raton and then chef de cuisine at Flavors of Italy in Coral Springs.

He later moved to California, working as a banquet chef at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Marina del Rey, under acclaimed chef Bruno Lopez. Longo returned to Florida as sous chef at Prezzo in Boca Raton and then Max’s Grille at Riverfront in Fort Lauderdale. He was promoted to executive chef at Max’s Grille and then Max’s Watersedge in Manalapan.

Longo then ran the kitchen at Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton for 17 years with chef’s tables, chef’s demos, private home dinners, wine dinner and wine tastings. He most recently ran the kitchen at Frenchman’s Reserve Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens.

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What kind of food does Blu Ocean Grille serve?

The menu is modern American cuisine and includes steaks, seafood and pasta dishes. It features small plates, salads, sandwiches, chef creations and desserts, as well as craft cocktails. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Happy hour is 3-5 p.m. daily. It has craft cocktails for $10, wine by the glass for $7 and all bottle and draft beer for half-price. The happy hour menu includes these $10 dishes: queso fundido, L.A. baja tacos, Blu Ocean wings, Caribbean grilled chicken sliders, hummus, crispy calamari, Wagyu burger, BBQ chicken flatbread and margherita flatbread.

What's on the Blu Ocean Grille menu?

Appetizers (lunch)

• Baja Tacos: corn tortillas, blackened mahi tuna, cilantro slaw, pickled red onion, chipotle aioli, lime wedge ($15)
• Queso Fundido Con Chorizo: Mexican-style cheese fondue, chorizo, spiced tortilla chips ($13)
• Smoked Bacon Sea Scallops: basmati rice, toasted nori, scallion, ponzu sauce, toasted sesame seeds ($22)
• Grilled Caribbean Chicken Sliders: jerk seasoning, lettuce, tomato, pineapple salsa, chipotle aioli ($14)
• Shrimp Gazpacho Shooters: chilled shrimp cocktail, Spanish soup, cilantro leaf ($13)
• Bang Bang Shrimp: crisp fried Gulf shrimp, bang bang sauce, cilantro slaw ($15)
• Blue Ocean Wings: 24-hour brined, house seasoning, choose from Korean bbq or honey Buffalo or garlic Parmesan ($10-$20)

Soups (lunch)

• Spanish Gazpacho: chilled Spanish-style tomato soup ($11)
• Lobster and Shrimp Bisque: sherry-laced cream, lobster, shrimp, chives ($13)

Sandwiches (lunch)

• Wagyu Burger: toasted brioche bun, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, dill pickle ($17)
• Los Cabos Quesadilla: griddled flour tortilla, pico de gallo, sour cream, sauteed red and green peppers, caramelized onion, guacamole, option to add grilled chicken or shrimp ($15-$23)
• East Coast Crab Cake Sandwich: pan-seared crab cake, tomato, lettuce, Cajun remoulade, toasted brioche bun, grilled lemon ($21)
• The Turkey Burger: toasted brioche bun, whipped avocado, pepperjack cheese, lettuce, tomato, pineapple salsa ($16)
• Grilled Cheese Short Rib Sandwich: slow-braised short ribs, white cheddar, caramelized onion, griddled marbled rye, horseradish aioli ($15)
• Chicago Reuben: hand-carved corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing, griddled marble rye ($15)

Salads (lunch)

• Chili Crusted Mahi: pan-seared mahi, arugula, toasted almonds, pineapple salsa, lime vinaigrette ($24)
• Classic Caesar Salad: romaine lettuce, croutons, Caesar dressing, pecorino Romano, option to add grilled chicken or shrimp or grilled salmon ($12-$24)
• Vietnamese Lime Chicken Satay: marinated chicken skewers, watermelon, arugula, sweet chili vinaigrette, Thai peanut sauce ($14)
• Blu Ocean House Salad: baby greens, julienne carrots, tomatoes, cucumber ($11)
• Vine Ripe Tomato & Artichokes: marinated tomato salad, warm artichoke hearts, burrata, torn herbs, extra virgin olive oil, garlic crostini ($16)

Chef’s Creations (dinner)

• Grilled Filet Mignon: wild mushroom cabernet sauce, three-cheese horseradish potato gratin, seasonal vegetables, classic béarnaise sauce ($36)
• Grilled Veal Chop Milanese: risotto Milanese, pomodoro sauce, fresh mozzarella, fried basil ($42)
• Pan-Roasted Grouper Vera Cruz: Latin spices, rustic olive sauce, roasted fingerlings, seasonal vegetables ($35)
• West Coast Cioppino: Italian-style pan roast, shrimp, clams, grouper, sea scallops, mussels, aromatic tomato broth, pearl pasta, garlic crostini ($38)
• Tuscan Chicken Paillard: pounded-thin chicken breast, tomato-basil bruschetta, balsamic vinaigrette, arugula salad, extra virgin olive oil ($17)
• Australian Lamb Chops: grilled double-bone lamb chops, tomato-basil bruschetta, seasonal vegetables, whipped potatoes, merlot demi ($28)
• Grilled Prime Strip New York Strip Steak: three-cheese potato gratin, seasonal vegetables, mushroom cabernet sauce, classic béarnaise sauce ($39)
• Pan Roasted Jumbo Sea Scallops Risotto: asparagus, peas, vine ripe tomatoes, arugula, scampi sauce ($39)
• Miso Sake Salmon Ramen Bowl: Faroe Island salmon, shiitakes, miso dashi broth, marinated egg, scallions, baby bok choy, Szechuan sauce ($38)
• Pasta Gemelli En Brodo: sauteed kale and garlic, shallots, crushed red pepper, vegetable stock, lemon walnut pesto ($7-$15)
• Sides: three-cheese horseradish gratin, whipped potatoes, roasted fingerling potatoes, steamed basmati rice, seasonal vegetables, grilled asparagus, sauteed spinach ($5)

Small Plates (dinner)

• East Coast Crab Cake: pan seared, tomato-bacon jam, lemon aioli, whipped avocado ($23)
• Prince Edward Island Mussels: 1-pound fresh mussels, garlic, tomatoes, shallots, fresh herbs, lemon butter, white wine, garlic crostini ($16)
• Jumbo Gulf Shrimp: chilled Gulf shrimp, classic cocktail sauce, lemon wedge ($16)
• Tuna Poke Bowl: ponzu tossed, sushi-grade ahi, chilled basmati rice, scallion, carrots, cucumber, avocado, baby green, sweet chili vinaigrette ($14)
• Calamari: golden fried, arrabiata sauce, lemon aioli, grilled lemon ($14)
• Korean Short Rib Tacos: corn tortillas, slow-braised short rib, kimchi slaw, gochujang mayo ($15)
• Lobster and Shrimp Bisque: Gulf shrimp, lobster, sherry ($13)
• French Onion Soup: rich beef stock, caramelized onions, sherry, gruyere cheese, garlic crouton ($11)
• Vine Ripe Tomato & Artichokes: marinated tomato salad, warmed artichoke hearts, burrata, torn herbs, extra virgin olive oil, garlic crostini ($16)
• Chili Crusted Mahi Salad: pan-seared mahi, arugula, toasted almonds, pineapple salsa, lime vinaigrette ($24)
• Middle Eastern Hummus: house made, olive tapenade, roasted garlic, grilled pita, extra virgin olive oil, smoked paprika ($16)
• The Loaded Wedge: iceberg lettuce, blue cheese, tomatoes, chives, boiled egg, balsamic vinaigrette ($11)
• Caesar Salad: pecorino Romano, Caesar dressing, croutons, option to add grilled chicken or shrimp or salmon ($12-$24)

Desserts

• Blu Ocean Affogato: house-made vanilla gelato, hot shot of espresso, chocolate chunk cookie brushed with dark chocolate ($14)
• Pistachio Baklava Cheesecake: Japanese-style cheesecake, layers of crispy phyllo and cinnamon sugar pistachios, doused in honey-lemon syrup ($14)
• Black Onyx Torte: blackout cake layers, silky smooth chocolate, mousse-rich chocolate ganache, glazed chocolate shell ($14)
• Eclair Cake: traditional eclair pate a choux, vanilla bean, pastry cream, seasonal fruit ($12)
• Key Lime with a Twist: graham cracker crust, key lime custard tequila, Cointreau, coconut meringue ($12)
• Brittany’s White Chocolate Carrot Cake: silky white chocolate cream cheese frosting, white chocolate ganache, coconut sprinkle ($12)
• Lemon Cheesecake Martini: limoncello, Licor 43, simple syrup, lemon juice, heavy cream ($14)
• Flaming Banana Foster Martini: brown sugar simple, vanilla simple, vanilla vodka, heavy cream, banana liqueur, butterscotch liqueur, dash of cinnamon, banana garnish ($15)

When did Blu Ocean Grille open?

June 21, 2024

What are Blu Ocean Grille's hours?

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday for lunch; 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday for dinner (closed Sunday)

What are Blu Ocean Grille's phone number, website and social media?

772-828-3707, website , Facebook , Instagram

Laurie K. Blandford is TCPalm's entertainment reporter dedicated to finding the best things to do on the Treasure Coast. Email her at laurie.blandford@tcpalm.com . Sign up for her What To Do in 772 weekly newsletter at profile.tcpalm.com/newsletters/manage.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: New restaurant with modern American food opens to public in newly built community