Salmon Dave’s is featuring the best sustainably caught seafood from the frigid waters of the Pacific Northwest
By Patricia Nugent
Cracking into colossal king crab legs, tasting the first wild salmon from Copper River or enjoying delicate halibut that was swimming days before in the Bering Sea are all signs that summer is here—and the best of Alaska’s seas is on its way to Salmon Dave’s Pacific Grille in Rocky River.
The talented culinary team has sourced the best of the best seafood available, and invites you to get a taste of the Pacific Northwest without the flight.
“Salmon Dave’s was born from a love of the culture in the Northwest and the cuisine from the Pacific Rim,” says George Schindler, president of Hospitality Restaurants.
“We start getting calls for wild salmon daily as the season approaches. Our obsession with the freshest, most pristine seafood and bringing it to Clevelanders has led to a fan club only slightly less excited than the bears feasting streamside.”
Why is Wild Salmon So Prized?
“The salmon have stored so much energy for the trip to spawn, the filets are deep red as opposed to a light pink/orange color,” says Chef Mario Brown.
“All of the antioxidants we love from salmon are at the highest level in these wild fish. It’s like comparing a steak to a ‘prime cut’ steak.”
General Manager Eric Kennedy describes the difference between Pacific Halibut and Atlantic Halibut.
“Sustainable fishing is critical to the survival of many fish species, and Alaska has been a leader in setting quotas,” he says. “The size of the fish and the quality stay consistent and ensure we can highlight the best version of this lightly flavored, delicate white fish.”
Indulge in the World’s Best Crab
One of the brightest stars on this all-star menu is the crab.
Chef Mario has declared the restaurant a no-bib zone. “We don’t want people to work too hard on their day off,” he says. “We take care of you and split the legs for easy access.”
The succulent Alaskan Red King Crab Legs are served with Klondike Rose potatoes, asparagus spears and a sublime lemon butter sauce. Available combined with your choice of wild salmon, fresh halibut, USDA Prime Sirloin or a petite filet mignon, tasting the best of everything is always an option here. Each delicious feast is an exercise in pure indulgence.
Crab plays the perfect supporting character, too, and is found throughout this diverse menu, from the mouthwatering King Crab Risotto, to a decadent Maryland Crab Cake or the tantalizing Filet Oscar, featuring twin medallions covered in heavenly béarnaise and even more succulent lump blue crab.
Devotees of the sea are left with a dizzying array of selections. Don’t miss the Shrimp and Scallops dinner entrée, with wild mushroom and spring pea risotto, with green beans. The perfect medley of butter and fresh-squeezed lemon shows the delicate touch and balance of a trained culinary team. Elegant, light and delicious, it’s an all-time Mimi reader favorite.
Consistently voted “Best of the West,” the best seafood restaurant on Cleveland’s West Side, Salmon Dave’s opened in 1993 in the heart of the historic Old River district. It is one of eight establishments operated by Hospitality Restaurants, joining seafood stalwarts Blue Point Grille in downtown Cleveland and Kingfish Seafood in Akron. The group also operates steakhouses Cabin Club, in Westlake, and Delmonico’s, in Independence, along with Rosewood Grill locations in Strongsville, Hudson and Westlake.
Salmon Dave’s Pacific Grille is located at 19015 Old Lake Road, in Rocky River. Call 440-331-2739, or visit SalmonDaves.com. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Happy Hours are Monday through Friday, 3:00-6:30 p.m.