Get Your Seafood Fix At Arizona’s Unofficial King Of Ocean Delicacies
Finding outstanding seafood in the middle of the desert sounds impossible, right? Well, the folks in Scottsdale have been proving doubters wrong for over four decades.
This underground hideaway serves up ocean treasures so fresh and delicious that you might forget you’re hundreds of miles from the nearest coast.
Whether you’re celebrating something special or just craving a plate of perfectly prepared fish, this subterranean gem delivers an experience that keeps locals and visitors coming back for more.
I still remember the first time I stepped down into that cool, tucked-away dining room and felt like I had stumbled onto Arizona secret only regulars knew about. Every visit since has felt like a small escape from the desert heat, with each bite reminding me why I keep coming back.
Underground Dining Adventure
Descending the stairs feels like boarding a ship bound for culinary adventure. The restaurant sits completely underground, creating an atmosphere that transports diners away from the Arizona heat into a New England seafood shack vibe.
Low ceilings lined with maritime art and nautical touches make every meal feel like a voyage.
The dim lighting from candles scattered throughout creates romance without feeling stuffy. Couples celebrating anniversaries find the perfect backdrop here, while the laid-back energy keeps things comfortable for any occasion.
Walking through feels like exploring the galley of an old wooden vessel.
Space at Salt Cellar Restaurant on Hayden Road, Arizona fills up quickly because the underground layout keeps capacity limited. Reservations become essential, especially on weekends when the place buzzes with excited diners.
The cozy quarters actually enhance the experience, making conversations feel more intimate and meals more memorable. After 46 years in business, this unique setting continues drawing seafood lovers who appreciate dining somewhere truly different from typical Arizona restaurants.
Baked Stuffed Lobster Perfection
Ordering the baked stuffed lobster here ranks among the best decisions you can make. This signature dish arrives at your table looking like edible artwork, stuffed generously with a savory filling that complements the sweet lobster meat perfectly.
The presentation alone gets cameras clicking before forks even touch plates.
What makes this preparation special goes beyond just cooking technique. Servers crack the claws tableside, adding a touch of theater to your meal while ensuring you get every last morsel of tender meat.
The stuffing carries just enough seasoning to enhance without overpowering the natural sweetness of the lobster.
Portions prove so generous that taking leftovers home becomes standard practice. My cousin visited last spring and couldn’t stop texting photos of her half-eaten lobster, declaring it the best she’d tasted outside New England.
The combination of quality ingredients, skilled preparation, and that special tableside service creates moments worth celebrating. Regulars often wait all year for lobster season, planning special trips around availability.
Fresh Oyster Selection
Raw oysters at Salt Cellar taste like they were plucked from Atlantic waters that morning. Rhode Island Bluepoint oysters make regular appearances on the menu, bringing briny freshness that seafood purists crave.
Each one slides down smoothly, carrying the clean taste of ocean spray.
The kitchen takes pride in sourcing quality shellfish, and it shows in every bite. Oysters arrive properly chilled on beds of ice, accompanied by classic mignonette and zesty horseradish.
Starting your meal with a half dozen sets the perfect tone for everything that follows.
Servers know their oysters and happily guide first-timers through the experience. The size and plumpness of each oyster reflects careful selection and proper handling from coast to table.
For something in the heart of the desert, the freshness rivals what you’d find in coastal cities. Pairing these with the New England clam chowder creates a starter combination that hits all the right notes before your main course even arrives.
New England Clam Chowder
Thick, creamy, and loaded with generous chunks of clam, this chowder tastes like a warm hug from the Atlantic. The kitchen clearly understands that great chowder requires balance between richness and seafood flavor.
Every spoonful delivers substantial pieces of clam that are completely sand-free, a detail that separates amateur efforts from professional execution.
The base carries that perfect New England consistency without feeling heavy or overly thick. Potatoes add heartiness while letting the clam flavor shine through as the star.
Small touches like the seasoning blend show decades of recipe refinement.
Dipping the complimentary bread into leftover chowder becomes almost mandatory. The portion size means you can enjoy it as a starter without filling up too much before your entree.
Cold desert evenings make this soup especially appealing, though locals order it year-round regardless of temperature outside. Comparing it to chowders from actual New England establishments, this version holds its own remarkably well, proving landlocked locations can nail coastal classics.
Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes
Crab cakes here pack so much actual crab that the filler almost seems like an afterthought. Golden exteriors give way to interiors bursting with sweet, tender lumps of crab meat.
The ratio heavily favors seafood over breadcrumb, exactly how serious crab cake lovers prefer them.
Pan-searing creates a delicate crust that adds textural contrast without greasiness. Each cake holds together perfectly on the fork, maintaining structural integrity while showcasing the quality of the crab inside.
The accompanying sauce complements rather than masks the natural sweetness.
Ordering these as an appetizer to share often leads to immediate regret about not getting a full order per person. The generous portion means even the starter size satisfies, though you might find yourself wishing for more after the last bite disappears.
Several reviews mention these ranking among the best crab cakes people have tried anywhere, high praise considering how many restaurants attempt this classic. The kitchen clearly sources premium crab and treats it with the respect it deserves, letting quality ingredients speak for themselves.
Perfectly Seared Scallops
Nantucket Cape scallops arrive seasonally and devotees plan their visits around this limited availability. These sweet, delicate morsels get treated with expert care in the kitchen.
Proper searing creates that coveted golden crust while keeping interiors tender and barely cooked through.
The size of these scallops impresses immediately, each one substantial enough to appreciate individually. Plating showcases the seafood beautifully, whether served over rice or atop seasonal greens.
Every element on the plate works together without competing for attention.
Last fall, I watched a couple at the next table receive their scallop order and the pure joy on their faces said everything. The woman explained to her dining companion that she’d been waiting months for scallop season to return.
That kind of anticipation speaks volumes about quality and consistency. The kitchen’s restraint in seasoning lets the natural sweetness shine, proving that sometimes the best preparation means doing less rather than more.
When ingredients reach this caliber, simplicity becomes sophistication.
Escargot Done Right
Garlic butter pools around tender escargot nestled in mushroom caps, creating an appetizer that converts skeptics into believers. The preparation balances richness with bright garlic notes that wake up your palate.
Each bite combines earthy mushroom with the unique texture of properly prepared snails.
Bread service becomes essential here because leaving that flavored butter behind feels criminal. The kitchen nails the garlic level, providing enough punch without overwhelming other flavors.
Temperature arrives perfect, hot enough to keep the butter liquid but not so scorching that you burn your tongue.
This classic French preparation might seem unexpected at a seafood spot, but it fits perfectly with the overall menu philosophy. The dish showcases technical skill and attention to detail that carries through every course.
Portions provide enough to share as a starter or enjoy solo if you’re feeling possessive. The combination of textures and that irresistible garlic butter makes this a table favorite that pairs wonderfully with the complimentary bread.
Starting your meal here sets high expectations that the kitchen consistently meets throughout the evening.
Ahi Tuna Perfection
Seared ahi tuna melts on your tongue like butter when prepared correctly, and the kitchen here understands this completely. The exterior gets a quick sear while the interior stays cool and ruby red.
This preparation method preserves the delicate texture that makes quality tuna so special.
Asking for your tuna cooked rare or medium-rare ensures you experience it at peak deliciousness. Overcooking turns this fish dry and tough, but proper technique keeps it silky and rich.
The natural flavor needs little enhancement beyond perhaps a touch of soy or wasabi.
Entrees here include salad, vegetable of the day, and choice of potato or rice, making the meal feel complete and satisfying. The tuna portion proves generous enough to leave you pleasantly full without that uncomfortable stuffed feeling.
Quality this high makes the price point feel justified, especially considering how far premium ahi must travel to reach Arizona. The fish tastes so fresh that closing your eyes might transport you to a coastal restaurant overlooking the Pacific.
Alaskan King Crab Legs
Cracking into sweet Alaskan king crab legs feels like unwrapping presents at the dinner table. These massive legs arrive steaming hot with melted butter waiting nearby.
The meat pulls out in long, satisfying chunks that showcase why people consider this such a luxury item.
Warm lemon towels provided after your meal become especially appreciated following the delightful mess of crab leg consumption. The meat tastes naturally sweet and requires minimal seasoning beyond a butter dip.
Each leg contains so much meat that a full order becomes quite the feast.
Pricing reflects the premium nature of genuine Alaskan king crab, but portion sizes justify the investment. The kitchen steams them perfectly, ensuring the meat stays tender and moist rather than rubbery.
Servers often assist with cracking techniques if you’re new to the experience, making it accessible even for first-timers. This dish works beautifully for special occasions when you want something truly indulgent.
The combination of quality, preparation, and that tableside drama of cracking shells creates memorable dining moments worth celebrating.
Attentive Professional Service
Servers here treat every table like regulars, remembering preferences and offering genuine recommendations. The staff clearly takes pride in their work, moving through the dining room with practiced efficiency.
Attention to detail shows in small gestures like timely water refills and checking back at appropriate moments.
Training shines through in how servers describe menu items and suggest pairings. They crack lobster claws tableside with impressive skill, turning a practical need into part of the entertainment.
Questions about preparation methods or ingredients get answered knowledgeably without pretension.
The team creates that neighborhood spot feeling where learning your name happens naturally over visits. My friend became a regular after just three dinners, greeted warmly each time like family stopping by.
This personal touch elevates the entire experience beyond just good food. Even during busy weekend rushes, service maintains quality and pacing.
The staff balances professionalism with approachability, making fine dining feel comfortable rather than stuffy. Hot lemon towels arriving at meal’s end provide a refreshing finish that shows thoughtfulness extends through every course.
Special Occasion Destination
Anniversaries, birthdays, and proposals find the perfect backdrop in this intimate underground setting. The romantic atmosphere created by candlelight and cozy quarters makes celebrations feel extra special.
Couples seeking somewhere memorable for important occasions consistently choose this spot.
The kitchen and staff treat special events with appropriate care, sometimes adding small touches that enhance the celebration. Desserts arrive with candles for birthdays, and the team photographs couples who want to capture the moment.
These gestures feel genuine rather than scripted.
While the refined atmosphere suits adults and special dinners best, the welcoming staff makes everyone comfortable regardless of age. The overall experience justifies splurging for moments worth commemorating properly.
Prices reflect the quality and ambiance, with dinners for two typically reaching around three hundred dollars including tip. That investment buys more than just food though, it purchases memories and experiences that last long after plates get cleared.
The combination of exceptional seafood, unique setting, and attentive service creates evenings people remember for years, exactly what special occasions deserve.
Neighborhood Bar Charm
The bar area offers its own distinct vibe separate from the main dining room. Regulars gather here for reverse happy hour specials and casual dinners at the counter.
The limited seating creates an exclusive feel, though arriving early helps secure a spot during busy times.
Bartenders remember faces and preferences, building genuine connections over time. The bar menu provides excellent options for lighter meals or appetizers paired with conversation.
This space feels less formal than the dining room while maintaining the same quality standards.
Watching the bartenders work while enjoying fresh oysters and shrimp creates a relaxed evening out. The neighborhood spot atmosphere means striking up conversations with fellow diners happens naturally.
After 46 years in business, the bar has become a gathering place for locals who appreciate consistency and quality. Seating fills quickly because word spreads about this gem, so planning ahead prevents disappointment.
The combination of skilled bartenders, quality seafood, and that familiar feeling keeps people returning week after week, building the kind of loyalty that corporate chains struggle to replicate.