The "Maine" Event at Salmon Dave's
By Patricia Nugent
The time has come at Salmon Dave’s Pacific Grille in Rocky River to celebrate the “Maine Event.”
The crème de la crème of sweet, succulent lobster is plucked from cold Atlantic Depths at the peak of the season rushing them to the charming west side destination for true lovers of lobster.
“We go to great lengths to ensure our Maine Lobsters are perfectly fresh,” says HR Executive Chef Marc Standen. “For the event, we will fly in more than 2,000 pounds of lobster over 8 weeks. ”
The Maine Event” has been a Rocky River fixture for two decades as the most loved New England style lobster bake in town.
“We’ve been consistently voted top seafood restaurant in Cleveland by local and national magazine polls, from Cleveland Magazine to Bon Appetit and Wine Spectator,” says George Schindler, President of Hospitality Restaurants.
“Combine the best lobsters money can buy with great service and it’s no wonder we have to open early to get everyone in on Sunday.”
The signature meal of the celebration presents lobster just like they do back in Maine. Served in a cast iron skillet, the New England Style Lobster Bake includes a whole Maine lobster, roasted half chicken, steamed clams, redskin potatoes, clam broth, and fresh corn on the cob. Served for $39.95 daily, the deal gets crazily good each Sunday when the bake is discounted to $24.95. The restaurant opens early at 1:00 p.m. just to accommodate the demand.
Lobster is not only the main event, it also accents a variety of signature creations from Salmon Dave’s talented culinary team. Starting at the top of the menu, Salmon Dave’s delights us with warm, crispy fritters a perfect start in the cozy west side seafood saloon.
The award-winning Lobster Bisque at Salmon Dave’s is so loved that it made the menu year round. Annual favorites shine from the lobster cream anointed pasta with spinach and bright cherry tomatoes to the already cracked and shelled lobster tails ready to adorn any of the gems across the wide ranging menu.
“Reservations are essential to get in on Sunday for this promotion. We start getting calls in June and July to ensure we will have the Maine Event,” says George. “We open at 1:00 p.m. each Sunday, the books fill up fast.”
The celebration of the crustacean isn’t the only thing rocking at this Rocky River hangout. Stop in M-F between 3:00 and 6:30 p.m. to enjoy the west side’s best happy hour. Missed happy hour? The festivities resume Friday night from 9:30 to 11:00 p.m.
The décor is an old-fashioned take on a Victorian saloon. Rugged exposed brick, period black-and-white tile flooring, soaring two-story ceilings and a mammoth mahogany bar are all looked down upon by a friendly moose head on the wall, making the space at once charming and grand.
Consistently voted 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 establishments operated by Hospitality Restaurants, joining the Cabin Club in Westlake, Blue Point Grille downtown, Delmonico’s Steakhouse in Independence, the Thirsty Parrot downtown, Rosewood Grill with locations in Strongsville, Hudson and Westlake and the year old Kingfish Seafood in Montrose.
Salmon Dave’s Pacific Grille is located at 19015 Old Lake Road, in Rocky River. Call 440-331-2739, or visit SalmonDaves.com. Open Monday thru Thursday, 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; and special hours on Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Happy Hours M-F 3:00-6:30 p.m.