Softshell Crab Shines On New Day Northwest

June 28, 2024

The Pacific Northwest sees its fair share of crabs. This week, they saw a seasonal treat from the East.

Kaelon Sparks, Executive Chef, Water Grill Bellevue, appeared on Seattle's NBC affiliate, KING5, to share Wild Maryland Softshell Crab from the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. During the segment, Chef K showcased our product knowledge, relationships with watermen and fishermen, and our seasonal offerings, preparing Softshell Crab on air and sharing information about Wild Pacific Bluefin Tuna.

"When the water starts to get warm, the crabs will start to molt - moving into a larger shell and growing. The watermen (which is what the fishermen for crabs on the East Coast in Maryland are called) will watch the crabs for signs of molting and move them to a little pen for even closer monitoring before it happens. As soon as the blue crabs molt and they're soft, the watermen will pull the crabs from the water to stop a shell from hardening. They’ll then package them up for us."

Chef K also spoke about how great summertime is for seafood, with the waters providing new products with warmer weather and water.

"Summertime is a really tough time to choose one thing that's delicious and coming into season. Just this last week, we got our first batch of Wild Pacific Bluefin Tuna from California. It's just a really delicious, meaty bite. We really love seeing this Bluefin on [the menu].”

SOFTSHELL CRAB AND BLUEFIN TUNA AT WATER GRILL

Ready to explore what this summer has to offer for seafood lovers? Check out our menus where you can get Wild Maryland Softshell Crab and Wild Pacific Bluefin Tuna.

Wild Maryland Softshell Crab at Water Grill
Wild Pacific Bluefin Tuna at Water Grill

Cultivated G&T Craft Cocktail

April 5, 2024

Even the classics need a bit of freshening up. A spring cleaning, perhaps? Meet the Cultivated G&T craft cocktail special for the month of April, which aims to do just that.  A delightful twist on the classic gin and tonic cocktail, this craft cocktail promises a burst of freshness by featuring a familiar gin and tonic base with a playful twist of earthiness and saltiness from a house-made celery salt saline. The unique flavors of celery give a refreshing and unexpected dimension to this beloved cocktail, making it a great cocktail to put into your rotation this spring.

BARTENDER'S SPECIAL AT-A-GLANCE

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. Prairie gin
  • 2 full droppers Celery salt saline  
  • .25 oz. lemon juice

Garnish

  • Celery ribbon
  • 2 lemon wheels

Glassware

  • Collins