If you're looking for seafood in Tallahassee—something beyond the common fried varieties—you might find that your options are somewhat limited. But fret no more: Saltwater Seafood Company has seriously revamped its management and menu, and they are ready to dominate Tallahassee's seafood scene and fill your belly with local goodness.
The Restaurant
For those of you who don't know, Saltwater Seafood Company is a locally-owned seafood restaurant specializing in fresh, local, and sustainable seafood and seasonal fare. It's been open for almost two years now, but four months ago the management changed hands, and that change has completely transformed the experience Saltwater Seafood offers its guests for the better.
With the new management has come a new push in the restaurant's sustainability efforts. They have switched over to eco-friendly takeout ware and straws, have their own herb garden to provide their kitchen with fresher ingredients for their food and cocktails, and grow tomatoes and heirloom peppers that are indigenous to Florida, including the chocolate habanero pepper (which they use for their homemade hot sauce—YUM). Plus, their menu changes three times a year to reflect what seafood and produce is in season—with a cocktail menu to match.
The Food
I was lucky enough to experience a food tasting of some of Saltwater Seafood Company's most popular menu items, and I can honestly say every single thing I tried left my mouth watering for more. To start, we tried the Sesame Seared Tuna, a seared tuna dish coated in sesame seeds served with a ginger soy sauce and wasabi aioli. The tuna basically melted in my mouth, and the sesame seeds provided the perfect amount of texture that enhanced the tenderness of the fish. And the wasabi aioli had the perfect kick to tie everything together.
To start, we tried the Sesame Seared Tuna, a seared tuna dish coated in sesame seeds served with a ginger soy sauce and wasabi aioli. The tuna basically melted in my mouth, and the sesame seeds provided the perfect amount of texture that enhanced the tenderness of the fish. And the wasabi aioli had the perfect kick to tie everything together.
Next, we were served the Southern Fried Pickles and the Whole Fried Okra. I had only ever seen okra served cut up in smaller pieces, but the whole pieces—which were drizzled in Saltwater Seafood's "Jefferson sauce," a hot sauce and brown sugar reduction—made it so I could actually enjoy the okra and not be overwhelmed by the amount of batter it was fried with. Both the pickles and okra are served with chipotle ranch; this sauce provided the perfect alkaline balance to the acidity of the pickles and it was darn delicious.
For our next course, we were served Saltwater Seafood's King Street Shrimp and Grits, the Seafood Gumbo, and the Gulf Coast Tacos with Mahi (you can order the tacos with shrimp if you prefer). Everything tasted great: the gumbo was loaded with shrimp, chicken, Andouille sausage, served with just enough wild rice to mellow out the spices while not making it too carb-heavy. The pico de gallo on the tacos provided a freshness that really tied the dish together, while the cajun remoulade added a great kick and the tacos, like all the sandwiches on the menu, were served with their house-made potato chips that added a great salty crunch to the dish.
In my opinion, the King Street Shrimp and Grits stole the show. This dish, which consists of Gulf shrimp which are blackened and served over Saltwater Seafood's signature Gouda cheese grits (yes, I really said Gouda cheese grits. Let that sink in), and finally topped with their house-made smoked Conecuh gravy.
Seriously, when I put the first bite of this dish in my mouth, I became completely overwhelmed by just how fabulous it was. It was really hard not to shovel it all into my mouth right then and there, but I had to share (thank goodness, for the sake of my stomach). The Gouda and the gravy created a layered flavor of smokiness that contributes to this perhaps being my favorite shrimp and grits dish in all of Tallahassee. When you go to Saltwater Seafood, please, please try this dish. You can thank me later.
For dessert, Saltwater Seafood Company offers a selection of cakes and pies created by The Cake Shop, a local Tallahassee bakery that really knows how to make a cake. We tried the Pumpkin Spice Cake, which featured warming spices in the batter that was perfectly reminiscent of fall, topped with a white chocolate frosting.
Aside from all the amazing dishes we tried, some of the most popular dishes at Saltwater Seafood Company include the Crab Topped Caribbean Red Snapper, the Crab-stuffed Shrimp Dinner, and the Fried Gulf Shrimp Dinner. They have gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options available and are currently looking to expand those options further. If you call ahead to let the restaurant know about your dietary restrictions, they will work with you to prepare something tasty that meets those restrictions for you!
The Drinks
Like I mentioned before, Saltwater Seafood Company's drink menu rotates with the seasons, just like the food menu. While at the food tasting, I enjoyed a tequila cocktail made with a thyme simple syrup and a bit of lemon juice. It was the perfect mix of sweet and tangy, and the thyme added a delicate herbal note that made it extra refreshing. The bar is stocked with a great liquor selection, plus Proof beers and a selection of wines from Farmer's Daughter Vineyards, a local winery in Thomasville.
Seriously, people—eat at this restaurant. There is something on the menu for all kinds of taste preferences, and the vibe at Saltwater Seafood is nice and relaxed. They have happy hour every day from 3-7 PM that features $5 specialty cocktails and $1 oysters. You read that right, $1 oysters. Saltwater Seafood Company is a total win for the Tallahassee seafood scene, and a locally-owned restaurant totally worth supporting.