Americans’ return to dining out is fueling the opening of new seafood restaurants and the addition of seafood entrees to menus.
Customer transactions at major restaurant chains soared 32 percent in March, compared to March 2020, NPD Group reported. And, while the foodservice industry is challenged with a significant labor shortage and higher food prices, restaurant companies continue to open seafood restaurants.
Seafood-focused eateries that are expanding include Houston, Texas-based Aloha Poke Co., which is opening 11 new locations in the Houston-metro market by 2025. The Houston expansion nearly doubles Aloha Poke's total franchise location holdings from its current total of 15 restaurants, and is its first move into the Texas market, the company said in a press release.
“This first wave of development in the Lone Star State leads a long-term development plan across other metroplex areas including Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin, Texas,” Aloha Poke said.
The fast casual restaurant chain services sustainably-sourced “superfoods,” according to the company.
Well-known chef and restauranteur Daniel Boulud is opening an 11,000-square-foot seafood eatery called Le Pavillon in downtown New York City in mid-May, per NY Eater.
Seafood menu additions are increasing as the foodservice sector recovers. Fast casual chain Taco del Mar rolled out its Classic Lobster and Seafood Taco and Tropical Lobster Taco, which is topped with cabbage, mango salsa, and cilantro-lime vinaigrette.
Darden-owned Seasons 52 recently added Caramelized Grilled Scallops to its spring menu, in addition to standard entrees such as Wood-Grilled Shrimp and Grits and Wood-Grilled Boneless Rainbow Trout.
Bonefish Grill, owned by Bloomin’ Brands, has introduced a Salmon Caprese, which includes wood-grilled salmon with gnocchi, blistered tomatoes, and mozzarella; and Rockefeller “Butterfish,” which is comprised of Alaskan black cod topped with creamy spinach and jumbo lump crab.
And Los Angeles, California-based Daphne’s, a Mediterranean fast casual restaurant chain, recently added two seafood entrees. The Salmon Plate features wild Alaskan salmon filet marinated in chermoula sauce with lemon and spices served on a bed of basmati rice and roasted vegetables with warm pita and grilled lemon. Daphne’s new Fish and Chip Plate is a Mediterranean-inspired take on the classic United Kingdom dish and is made with breaded white fish, Restaurant News reported.
Photo courtesy of Aloha Poke
