Salmon Dave’s Taste of N’awlins is back!
By Patricia Nugent
Freshly imported fare and flair from down on the bayou, Bourbon Street cocktails, jumpin’ jazz music and beads, beads, beads have just made their way to Salmon Dave’s Taste of N’awlins Celebration, happening for Mardi Gras each year.
“It’s absolutely amazing how popular this party has been for the past 20 years,” says George Schindler, managing partner of Hospitality Restaurants. “We’ve honed our authentic dishes with every last detail carried out as they do in the French Quarter.”
As they say in the Big Easy, it’s time to “laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll).
Corporate Executive Chef Marc Standen and Executive Chef Mario Brown have orchestrated a delectable array of Creole faves, such as blackened organic catfish with white shrimp, shrimp gravy and dirty rice.
“Cajun cuisine is all about rustic food made from simple, fresh ingredients and a complex balance of spices and aromatics—a natural match for the organic catfish,” Chef Marc states.
In no dish is that complexity more evident than Gumbo Ya Ya. Famous in the heart of the bayou, this tantalizing stew is named after the creole term for “everyone talking at once.” It includes an eclectic blend of andouille sausage, chicken, okra and the “Holy Trinity” of onions, celery and green bell peppers.
One of the most requested features on the menu is the fried green tomatoes.
Salmon Dave’s menu also features Crawfish Étouffée, a rich mélange of whitefish, mussels and white shrimp. Salmon Dave’s award-winning Lobster Bisque is also available.
The star of the show is the Taste of N’awlins Feast, which is a steaming platter of Voodoo Salmon, Bourbon Street Shrimp and Cajun Filet Mignon, served with confetti rice and a crispy fried green tomato. Priced at $34.95 during the week, Sunday features the feast at only $24.95.
General Manager Steve Feldpusch loves the intensity he sees from the kitchen during this promotion.
“We recently changed some hours to put more focus on our happy hour and dinner service and Chef Mario and his team have responded by putting out the best menu Salmon Dave’s has offered to date. We are making some truly remarkable cuisine,” states Steve.
Cocktail hour is just as on point as lunch and dinner. Authentic Hurricane Cocktails are served in traditional glasses draped with beads. And in addition to beers from New Orleans, Rocky River’s favorite eatery is serving New Orleans’ official drink—the Sazerac. Flavored with rye whiskey, absinthe and bitters, every sip is a trip back in time.
The Fat Tuesday Celebration is always one for the books. Salmon Dave’s remains the favorite party location for greater Clevelanders looking to live it up the day before Lent.
Consistently voted a top seafood restaurant in Cleveland, Salmon Dave’s opened in 1993 in the heart of the historic Old River district. It is the second of nine award-winning establishments operated by Hospitality Restaurants, joining the Cabin Club in Westlake, Blue Point Grill in the Historic Warehouse District, Thirsty Parrot in the Gateway, Delmonico’s Steakhouse in Independence and the newly opened Kingfish in Montrose. The popular Rosewood Grill operates in Hudson, Strongsville and Westlake.
Salmon Dave’s is located at 19015 Old Lake Road in Rocky River. For more information, call 440-331-2739 or visit SalmonDaves.com. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 3:30 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 9:00 p.m.