RECAP: Seafare Brunch at Local Ocean
Sunday, February 8h, 2026 — Local Ocean Seafoods, Newport, Oregon
Following our incredibly fun and inspiring Newport tour, The Blue Line, held on Saturday, Local Ocean Seafoods put on a delicious and unique Sunday Seafare Brunch. The Winter Waters co-founders—Alanna, Kristen, and Rachelle—gathered round a table with friends and fishermen from the local community, those traveling from far, and food writers reporting on the whole weekend.
It was the perfect "morning after" to reflect on the stories shared during the tour, sitting in a space that embodies the very essence of Oregon's working waterfront.
We love the view of Newport’s Historic Bayfront from Local Ocean Seafood’s dining room
For those who haven't yet made the pilgrimage to Newport, Local Ocean Seafoods is more than just a restaurant; it is a cornerstone of the sustainable seafood movement on the West Coast. Situated right on the Yaquina Bay docks, they are renowned for their "dock-to-table" philosophy. They’ve built their reputation on radical transparency, often listing the very boat and captain that caught your lunch, and a commitment to showcasing the incredible diversity of the Oregon Coast’s seasonal bounty in a diverse and unique menu and special events. (They also do catering if you’re ever looking for hyper local seafood brought to an event!!)
Local Commercial Fisherman Kenny Moffett with the Oregon Pink Shrimp Chilaquiles at Local Ocean
The Winter Waters brunch was a perfect showcase of locally caught species that can elevate traditional morning comfort classics into something truly extraordinary. Of course a Bloody Mary was what started us all off for the mid-morning celebration!
We started with a dish that was almost too beautiful to eat, and one Local Ocean is known for having and rotating seasonally, Uni Deviled Eggs. Featuring fresh sea urchin sourced locally from OoNee Sea Ranch, (read about this ranch in our Women of the Water blog here), these weren't your average deviled eggs. The richness of the uni was balanced by roasted squash and smoked oyster, topped with a dollop of crème fraîche and a hit of crispy fried dulse seaweed.
Uni Deviled Eggs featuring fresh sea urchin sourced locally from OoNee Sea Ranch and Pacific Dulse from Oregon Seaweed
A coastal twist on a beloved staple, the Oregon Pink Shrimp Chilaquiles came next.
The tiny, sweet Oregon Pink Shrimp, a true gem of our local fisheries for being the FIRST MSC-certified sustainable fishery in the world, stole the show here.
Tossed with corn tortilla chips and a vibrant salsa verde, the dish was finished with a medium-fried egg and a cilantro-avocado crema.
It wouldn't be a Winter Waters celebration in the Dungeness Crab Capital of the World, without the king of the coast. This Dungeness Crab Benedict Benedict paired infamous Dungeness crab with house-smoked pork belly, creating a decadent "surf and turf" profile. Served alongside fried Yukon potatoes, it was the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. To round out the morning, we enjoyed a delicate Elderflower Panna Cotta. The floral notes were brightened by tart poached rhubarb and fresh mint, providing a clean, refreshing finish to a deeply savory meal.
We all lingered over coffee chatting away about the weekend until we couldn’t any longer. With a long but joyous weekend coming to a close, we had to say goodbye to this special town and gear up for our next weekend of events! This meal was a reminder of why we do this work. It’s about the people, the passion, and the incredible flavors that our ocean provides when we treat it with respect.
A huge thank you to Discover Newport for their invaluable support of our events in Newport. As the official destination management organization for the area, they play a vital role in connecting visitors and locals alike with the natural beauty, culture, and experiences that make this part of the Oregon Coast so special. Their partnership helped enhance community engagement and visibility for Winter Waters programming, and we are truly thankful for their commitment to promoting Newport as a vibrant place to gather, explore, and celebrate.
Huge thank you to Laura Anderson of Yaquina Lab/Central Coast Foods Web for your support. Additional sponsors: Pacific Seafood, Oregon Coast Bank, Thompson’s Sanitary Service, Englund Marine, and the Oregon Albacore Commission.