CRAVE Food Hall at os1515 Downtown is a fresh new idea in serving innovative chef creations in a relaxing yet up-scale atmosphere. Eight venues offering uniquely different options for one’s personal preference are highlighted by PROOF Cocktail Bar also offering some new and trendy adult beverages by highly skilled mixologists. The bar overlooks the courtyard its’ famous mural as well as patio dining and an outdoor band stand. CRAVE was created to cater to all palates with award winning chefs proudly creating fusions of flavors from around the world that are offered for dine-in, delivery, take-out, and room service. The establishment is the focal point tying in our French heritage with shops, amenities and condos in an old New Orleans style building. The food hall and more condos sit in a warehouse style building, honoring the manufacturing facilities that previously stood on the site. The OS Hotel is designed in a more contemporary style, signaling Ocean Springs’ continued growth towards the east. Seventy-Five years ago, a hotel was built to host travelers visiting the area for the healing waters and was called the Ocean Springs Hotel. Eventually a sewing factory was installed in the same spot employing hundreds and was eventually closed after Hurricane Katrina. Now os1515 have come up with this great concept to tie-in art, culture, chef-inspired meals, a beautiful hotel and a three-story parking garage that is a piece of art in itself. Watching this building being erected, I was excited to experience it first-hand.
Can you imagine going out to dine and not having to agree on a location? Rather a small group or a large party, you have a table scanner that allows you to order from where ever your heart desires. They are open from 8am to 9pm, and 11pm on the weekend with brunch as well. The food and the cocktails are delivered to you in a very timely matter and no one is fussy because they only had one venue option. The food is prepared fresh by recognized and awarded chefs and there are no food chains here. I was very impressed as I watched the bartender Tess create the Smoked Mawirita with Espolon Blanco, watermelon puree, fresh lime and jalapeno with a smoked Tajin rim. This was one of my favorite cocktails ever, a truly perfect margarita. While I awaited Cheli’s arrival I had a nice interview with Executive Chef/Culinary Expert/Redemption Advocate/Spiritual Leader, David Dickensauge. With numerous accolades such as Mississippi Seafood King (2017), Chef to Watch, Corks & Cleaver founder, Best Smashburger and many food magazine articles recognizing his creativity in the kitchen, his proudest accomplishment is finding Christ and sobriety. Now, he is ready for redemption and to pay it forward at the newest venue at CRAVE, The Burger Bar, featuring his award-winning smash burgers with an opportunity to match any patron pre-paid ticket on the Tree of Life! His grand opening was two days later, and I am hoping that it went over “smashingly”!
CRAVE’s General Manager, Todd Reilly, also oversees Grit & Co. offering several breakfast options and all-day fare with a twist on your southern comfort food with coastal flair. Grit bowls, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, biscuits, and entrees such as red beans and sausage. We had a wonderful bowl of creamy smoked gouda grits with Mississippi Hot Chicken – cajun spiced fried chicken swimming in an authentic spicy sauce. This was very new to me and I absolutely loved it! The District Coffee Company brought Cheli an iced Caramel- Vanilla Coffee with all of your favorite coffee options available along with sweet and savory bites, bagels, biscuits, and burritos.
Mawi Tortillas of Ocean Springs, began in NOLA as a tortilla supplier that ventured into meals presented be Chef Wilfredo Avelar, who trained with Emeril Lagasse. Presenting authentic Central American Dishes fused with coastal ingredients, he was recognized by the New York Times as “Best Restaurant in NOLA Right Now”. He offers fresh fried corn tortillas, nachos, and tacos with fresh gulf shrimp, Chile braised beef brisket, and Sofrito marinated grilled chicken. We enjoyed the Honduran Chicken tacos, rolled and fried crispy with a fresh cabbage slaw, it was amazing! Chef Avelar also ventured into Shorelines, serving some highly innovative coastal delicacies such as Deviled Eggs with Trout Caviar, Fried Calamari or Oysters, fresh salads, pastas and sandwiches. We enjoyed the Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti – a breaded chicken cutlet fried and topped marinara and mozzarella with marinara and pecorino romano cheese.
MISO-SIPI Asian Bistro is your option for fantastic Asian handcrafted sushi, soups, noodles and appetizers. Covering the gambit from Vietnamese Egg Rolls, Filipino Noodles, Asian soups and salads, to Hibachi from the grill, nigiri and sashimi, basic sushi rolls to extreme sushi roll options. We had such an extreme sushi roll, I believe it had a little bit of all the seafoods, including scallops with wasabi, ginger and cucumber decorating a beautiful plate. It was so amazing, and then they flipped it on us and served it deep fried! It was so wonderful, the chef is in the back constantly trying new fusions of flavor!
The owner of Smokin’ Hoagies, Eric Robinson, was driven to bring his presence to CRAVE Food Hall, the newest concept to Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. Already favored for his piled-high sandwiches, he has brought to us Chicago 6ix Street Food, featuring a well-rounded menu from, hello, Chicago! With authentic Chicago Dogs, Italian Beef Sandwiches and personal Pizza Puffs (fried), chicken or lamb/beef gyros, and steak burgers, to fried shrimp or catfish poboys/baskets, hot wings or breaded wings, and a mouthwatering Philly Cheesesteak! Phillys’ also come with salmon, chicken, jerk chicken or Greek Philly options. We had the traditional Philly Cheesesteak on a super soft roll, peppers, caramelized onions and gooey cheese literally satiating your senses. It was the best in a very long time! We also enjoyed the chicken wings fried to perfect crispness while remaining juicy to the bone!
CRAVE Food Hall is a fantastic place to enjoy yourself with so many options! They have so much to offer presenting it in a new way while preserving the history and culture of Ocean Springs Downtown. I sampled two more specialty, hand-crafted cocktails for dessert – the Secret Garden Martini with Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka, Earl Grey honey syrup, rosemary, fresh lemon juice and soda water, and the Campfire Old Fashioned – Sagamore Rye Whiskey, brown sugar and vanilla syrup, cocoa bitters, walnut bitters, garnished with graham crackers and a toasted marshmallow. Next adventure, to sit on the patio and enjoy live music on a nice moonlit night. Make it a priority to check out CRAVE Food Hall and PROOF Cocktail Bar in your near future!
