Legal Sea Foods, Inc. Opening New Waterfront Restaurant in 2010

BOSTON, MA (December 10, 2007) - Legal Sea Foods plans to drop anchor with a new restaurant--to open in 2010--that promises to send ripples through the culinary community. It will combine a new Legal vision of upscale dining with a historic location for Boston seafood fans--242 Northern Avenue, where three generations of the Doulos family ran Jimmy's Harborside for more than 80 years. With the decision of the Doulos family not to reopen, Legal owner Roger Berkowitz and Executive Chef Rich Vellante were thrilled with this opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind waterfront dining experience.

 

This "ultimate" Legal Sea Foods will establish the restaurant group as a triple option on Northern Avenue in the heart of the burgeoning Seaport District. It joins LTK, an innovative kitchen and bar with globally influenced cuisine located at 225 Northern Avenue as well as Legal's Exchange Conference Center, an upscale catering and events venue at 212 Northern Avenue. All are virtually around the corner from Legal's Quality Control Center, the state-of-the-art facility that reflects Legal's unrivalled dedication to quality, freshness and health. It is at the QCC lab where fish and shellfish are tested for food safety prior to being distributed to all of Legal's restaurants.

 

Legal Sea Foods is a great and enduring Boston tradition that will be recast here to appeal to gastronomes and special occasion diners as well as devoted regulars. The New American menu will, of course, feature the highest quality seafood from both local and international waters, prepared exquisitely and served attentively. While fish and shellfish remain its centerpiece, the menu will offer more variety, including an extensive selection of pedigreed meats. (While the Berkowitz family has long been associated with seafood, the family name is also an iconic one in the cattle industry; Roger's uncle, Leonard Berkowitz, was a preeminent authority on meat and helped found the Certified Angus Beef program.) 

 

The new Legal is being completely rebuilt to take full advantage of the waterfront location. Its two floors will measure 9200 square feet each and will boast 18-foot windows, providing a panoramic view of Boston harbor. Patrons who wish to toast the town can ascend to the restaurant's crowning feature - a 3000 square foot rooftop lounge.

 

Although it will not open for more than two years, preparations are well underway. Joining the Legal Sea Foods culinary team as Chef de Cuisine is Moncef Meddeb. The acclaimed chef, who was born in France of Tunisian heritage, was most notably the original chef-owner of L'Espalier in Boston's Back Bay. Meddeb's four-star flare will be complemented by the award-winning talents of Master of Wine Sandy Block, one of only 22 Americans to hold this prestigious title. He will ensure that the wine selection is as diverse and enticing as the new menu. 

 

For over 50 years, Legal Sea Foods Inc. has set the standard for quality and freshness in the seafood and restaurant business. With more than 30 restaurants up and down the East Coast, Legal Sea Foods has earned scores of honors and awards and proudly carries its well-earned reputation as the nation’s finest seafood restaurant. For more information about Legal Sea Foods and its locations, please visit www.legalseafoods.com.