Well, not every clambake is going to be awesome. I was looking forward to the clambake at Salty Mary’s, since it specializes in seafood. I stopped in after an afternoon gathering in Avon Lake the day after I enjoyed the clambake at Bruno’s. I was one of two tables there. I liked the vibe as I walked in. Any place that plays The Travelling Wilburys is okay in my book. And the oyster shell chandeliers made me smile. I was greeted as I walked in and took a seat.
I ordered a nice glass of Kalpela Chardonnay, which might be up there with Kendall Jackson in my book, and gave my server my order. The clambake ($46.50) came out fairly quickly. It was served on a big metal platter and was a lot of food (a dozen clams, a cup of clam chowder, a quarter chicken, a heap of red skin potatoes, and an ear of corn cut into three smaller pieces). It was visually very appealing. I started with the clams, because they cool down quickly. Frankly, they were pretty disappointing. Really rubbery and overcooked. I probably should have sent them back, but that’s not really how I roll, having worked in a restaurant. Something has to be really bad to be sent back, and they were okay after soaking in the butter. The clam chowder was also just okay, but to be fair, nothing would have measured up coming right after Bruno’s chowder. I had to add some salt and pepper to it, which I also added to the red potatoes.
I did enjoy the corn, the quarter chicken and dinner roll. The chicken was actually really tasty and nicely seasoned (and the chicken is never my choice if given options). The dinner roll was crusty. Probably food service, but it was really warm and I enjoyed it. I would have liked to slather some butter on it, but the only butter was the melted butter for the clams. And the clam broth was a nice thought, but it had spilled out at some point.
Overall, I was unimpressed with the clambake. However, I had ordered a tuna melt to go for later that was really, really good. It was tuna, tomato and cheddar cheese on an English muffin and was really delicious. So I’m not going to write the place off entirely and will give it another chance when I am in Westlake again. The deviled eggs and crab legs look tasty.
Contact info:
Salty Mary’s Oyster Bar and Tavern
25600 Center Ridge Road
Westlake, OH 44145
(440) 298-2121
