Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon Available At MA Legal Sea Foods Restaurants

MASSACHUSETTS — Making dinner plans for this week? Boston area diners may want to consider Legal Sea Foods this week.

The restaurant announced that the Boston area will be among the first in the nation to have a taste of wild-caught Copper River King Salmon fresh from the Gulf of Alaska.

For a short window in May, wild Alaska salmon migrate upstream to the Copper River. These salmon, known as Copper River Salmon, become a highly seasonal catch, traditionally available to diners along the West Coast.

But diners in Boston (excluding the airport location), Chestnut Hill and Braintree can get a taste of the sought-after catch at Legal Sea Foods.

Legal Sea Foods head of culinary Brian Doyle is preparing a special menu highlighting the "unique, full-bodied flavor of wild-caught Copper River King Salmon."

Officials said the experience will start with Copper River King Salmon Crudo from the raw bar, followed by a cold smoked salmon appetizer with Osetra caviar and basil crème fraîche. The main course will feature grilled Copper River King Salmon with fresh morels, spring peas and potato.

Beverage director Christian Gianaris has teamed with organic winery Bethel Heights for wine pairings to match the salmon, including small batch Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the wine club portfolio.

Bethel Heights wines hail from Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills region and have held the esteemed Salmon-Safe certification since 1997.

Officials said the journey of Copper River Salmon to Boston starts with a small fleet of independent fishermen on two-man boats in the ocean gulf where the Copper River meets the Pacific in southcentral Alaska.

The salmon is then brought to the area within 24 to 48 hours through a partnership with Copper River Seafoods, Alaska Air Cargo and North Coast Seafoods.

It could be in your stomach as soon as Wednesday, but is only available on a first come, first served basis.