Suburbia is not known for its high-end dining, but thanks to Lisa and Glenn Hawley, good food is no longer relegated to the city limits. These former owners of Monterey Bay Fish Grotto on Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington have taken their talents to Warrendale where they opened a seafood restaurant called Off the Hook.
Many foodies might be suspicious of a seafood restaurant outside of the city, especially so far from the coast, but the owners of Off the Hook pride themselves on excellence, quality, and freshness. Their fish is flown in daily from the East and West Coasts as well as the Hawaiian Islands, and this commitment to freshness is part of why they consider themselves the region’s premier fresh fish destination.
Their fresh oyster bar, located in the lounge area, has myriad options that are ever-changing and brought in fresh daily based on availability, season, and quality. The oysters come with a variety of accompaniments to choose from including house-made hot sauce for some extra bite.
In addition to the oyster bar, Off the Hook has numerous fresh fish options from the familiar salmon and swordfish to more unusual options like escolar and big eye tuna from which to choose. Each fish can be prepared a number of ways and can be modified to suit the needs of the customer. Owner Lisa Hawley says they “strive to make every guest have the best experience possible from the moment they walk in the door.”
Part of this means having the servers and bartenders prepared to answer questions about the many types of fish, oysters, and wines. The owners want the guests to have a sense that the staff are experts in the field and can guide them through their dining experience.
The wine selection is outstanding and is exemplified in the massive wine cooler that lines the dining room. The cooler has glass walls, which allows diners to see the massive collection firsthand. Not only is their bottled wine list extensive, they have a premium wines-by-the-glass list that supplements their standard by-the-glass list. What makes this premium list spectacular is that it consists of pours you would only be able to have by the bottle at other restaurants. Owner Glenn Hawley wanted to allow their guests to try higher end wines without committing to the entire bottle. Glenn is always updating the selection and strives to feature unique vintages at a variety of price points.
The menu at Off the Hook features some seafood standards that taste anything but. The signature jumbo lump Crab Cake is somehow light while also rich with large pieces of fresh crab and paired with a tangy Remoulade sauce. Their Walu Escolar fish, which is sometimes called the “butter fish” for it’s rich, buttery taste, is succulent, and like the other options can be prepared a variety of ways. The New England Clam Chowder is creamy, perfectly seasoned, and an excellent starter for a seafood meal.
One of the most interesting features of Off the Hook is a chef’s table in the kitchen that allows diners to have a personal, intimate dining experience in the heart of the restaurant. Guests can reserve the table that features a special menu designed personally by Executive Chef John Dober and paired with wines chosen by Glenn Hawley. The meal is a minimum of five courses, and provides guests with the unique opportunity of watching the craftsmanship that goes into the preparation of their meal. Lisa says, “I always want to bring guests into the kitchen to show them what an incredibly clean space it is and how efficient and professional our staff is.” This feature allows guests to see for themselves.
In addition to their lunch and dinner menus, Off the Hook features a Happy Hour menu in the bar area that includes many half-price appetizers including Lobster Nachos and fresh Mussels. Their house wines by the glass are also available half off during Happy Hour. The lounge fills up quickly with people stopping on their way home from work for a bite with friends.
Since it’s opening last year, the Hawleys have seen their new venture turn into a neighborhood hub where people conduct business, families celebrate events, and friends meet for happy hour. “We want people to know you can have a fine dining experience in your own neighborhood,” Lisa says. She says people often wonder why they made the switch from their downtown, Mount Washington restaurant. She said they wanted to go in a different direction than their partners at Monterey Bay, and thought it was the perfect time for Pittsburgh to embrace a downtown experience in the suburbs.
Lisa and Glenn believe their fine dining restaurant outside of the city will the go-to neighborhood restaurant for foodies, wine-lovers, and anyone who loves a fresh piece of fish. This is a seafood experience that is truly off the hook.
Visit www.offthehookfish.com for more information or to book a table.
