Seattle, Wash.—(May 22, 2008)—Last spring, Yukon River King Salmon made a huge splash at Waterfront Seafood Grill, Troiani Ristorante Italiano, Sea Grill, and three El Gaucho locations (Seattle, Tacoma, and Portland). This year, the restaurants will be serving fresh Alaskan salmon all summer long, from the Copper River, Yukon River and Kenai River.
Arriving now is the ever popular Copper River King Salmon, available for just a few short weeks each year. This rare and delectable salmon is flown in directly from Cordova, Alaska and brought to Mackay restaurants via courier. Offered nightly, the high desirability of this fish means that availability is limited so guests are encouraged to make reservations early.
Coming in June is the Yukon Salmon, which made its debut at Mackay Restaurants last year. At 2,300 miles, Alaska’s Yukon River is the second largest in North America, and the salmon store up the highest levels of Omega-3 oil for the most flavorful, heart-healthy salmon available on today’s market. Caught primarily by the Yu’pik native Alaskans for 10,000 years, the salmon now sustain their heritage, culture and economy.
And in July, Mackay introduces Kenai King Salmon for the first time. The Kenai is home to the final big river Alaskan salmon run of the season, producing some of the largest fish of their kind, at an average of 60 pounds. The world record for the biggest King Salmon ever caught was a 97-pound fish caught in the Kenai River.
Despite local restrictions on wild salmon fishing this year, Mackay Restaurants will also feature local wild salmon whenever possible.
As for the rest of the year, Mackay Restaurants has developed a unique relationship with the Yu’pik to negotiate the purchase of 20,000 pounds of frozen and fresh Yukon salmon to last through spring 2009. Mackay’s source for salmon is the only company that requires the fishermen to ice the fish immediately, on the boat, so that even the frozen Yukon Salmon are as fresh as possible.
Designed expressly to highlight the extraordinary flavor of the fish, signature preparations include:
Grilled Yukon River Salmon, with oven roasted cherry tomato vinaigrette, morel mushroom and tarragon butter
Waterfront Seafood Grill
Grilled Yukon River Salmon, Bing cherry reduction, rosemary brown butter and smoked almonds
Sea Grill
Grilled Yukon River Salmon for two, with light brush of lemon herb butter, salt and peppered
El Gaucho
About Mackay Restaurants
El Gaucho® is renowned for elegant old school table-side service. The menu highlights 28-Day Dry-Aged Certified Angus Beef® Prime steaks, cutting edge fresh seafood selections from sustainable sources, and extensive wine and malt scotch lists. Offering intimate private dining and nightly live music, El Gaucho was recently named one of the “Best Places to Network” by Seattle Business, “Readers’ Choice for Best Steak” by Seattle Magazine and has earned five Wine Spectator “Awards of Excellence” and two “Best of Awards of Excellence.” Located at 2505 First Ave., El Gaucho is open Monday – Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, call (206) 728-1337 or visit www.elgaucho.com.
Sea Grill (www.the-seagrill.com) opened June 2005 and is located on the commerce street level of the Rainier Pacific Bank in downtown Tacoma, Wash. and features outstanding fresh seafood.
Troiani Ristorante Italiano (www.troianiseattle.com), located in the heart of downtown Seattle, features exquisite regional Italian dishes from Italy, with an emphasis on the Northwest seasons, simple preparations and downtown cosmopolitan flair.
Waterfront Seafood Grill (www.waterfrontpier70.com), located on Pier 70 in Seattle, features outstanding fresh seafood accompanied by sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains.
For information, please see Mackay Restaurants online at www.mackayrestaurants.com.
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