Darden Restaurants’ Seasons 52 launched its autumn menu this week, featuring Prince Edward Island mussels, all-natural grilled quail and a duck salad.
Seasons 52 executives talked seafood sourcing and menu trends with SeafoodSource during the fall menu unveiling in Orlando, Fla., where Darden, the world’s largest casual-dining company, which also operates Red Lobster and Olive Garden, is headquartered.
Seasons 52 — a casual, mixed-menu chain that focuses on natural, sustainable offerings — often features P.E.I. mussels in the fall.
“Mussels are best in the fall, and P.E.I. gives a really tasty, consistent mussel,” said Clifford Pleau, senior director of culinary for Seasons 52. Another very seasonal item that is extremely popular with guests is Copper River salmon, which is available beginning in May.
However, the staples on Seasons 52’s menu that are most popular with customers are its Cedar Plank Roasted Salmon, featuring organic salmon from Scotland, Caramelized Sea Scallops and Wood-Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Reece Youmans, manager of Seasons 52’s Altamonte Springs, Fla., location, told SeafoodSource.
Seasons 52 also sources farmed salmon from free-swimming farms in South America. The primary distributor for the health-focused chain, which currently operates 20 restaurants nationwide, is SaveOn Seafood in St. Petersburg, Fla. “We have known them for years, and they are able to source fish from around the world,” said Youmans.
The chain’s Seared Ahi Tuna appetizer is also popular with patrons. Seasons 52 tries to use as much of the tuna as possible, said Youmans, so it is also featured in sushi rolls and its Maui Tuna Crunch Salad.
And, more than a year ago, the chain launched a gluten-free menu that includes Grilled Boneless Rainbow Trout and Cedar Plank Atlantic Salmon. This menu is becoming much more popular among its customers. “Gluten-free is definitely a trend in the culinary industry,” said Youmans.
Seasons 52’s menu is consistently changing according to season and availability, and the chain’s local offerings continue to resonate with customers. “Fish varieties will change weekly, depending upon what is available, but we are looking forward to the Clare Island (Ireland) organic salmon,” said Pleau.
While the brand was launched in Orlando, Fla., Seasons 52 is opening new locations in Garden City, N.Y.; Oak Brook, Ill.; Kansas City, Mo.; Jacksonville, Fla.; and Naples, Fla., this year and next.
