ORLANDO — Commercial fishing is a major industry in the state of Alaska, and this has been the case for literally hundreds of years, ever since Alaska Natives began harvesting salmon in the early 17th century.
One of the most popular meals to come out of the frigid Alaskan waters is fresh Alaska Weathervane Scallops. But if it seems like a trip to Anchorage is the only way to sample them, think again. For anyone living in the tropical climate of Orlando, it’s now as easy as a trip to International Drive.
That’s where the Oceanaire Seafood Room restaurant is making available to all scallop connoisseurs a serving of Alaska Weathervane Scallops – as part of the seafood restaurant’s special offering, the Alaska Seafood & Wine Weekend five course menu.
This specialty item will be available next weekend only, from July 25-27.
“These very limited, high quality, frozen-at-sea scallops are the freshest seasonal delicacy straight from the fishing boats of Alaska Weathervane Seafoods,” the Oceanaire staff noted in a news release.
Alaska Weathervane Seafoods is a marketing group formed by three of the Alaska Weathervane Scallop fishing boats and their crews to sell their scallops across the world. They have three fishing boats to catch the scallops.
These scallops come to sunny Orlando from the Bering Sea. It is on the Arctic Hunter, Oceanaire noted, that the fishermen “catch, shuck, clean, size-sort, box and rapid-deep-freeze the Alaska Weathervane within four short hours of capture. This process locks in the Weathervane’s natural sweet flavor and delicate texture for scallop aficionados to enjoy around the world, from the remote pristine icy waters of Alaska. These scallops are not soaked in water nor combined with any chemicals in processing.”
Next weekend, the Oceanaire is making these delicacies available through its Alaska Seafood & Wine Weekend. This is a five-course menu that includes not only those Alaska Weathervane Scallops, but also Alaska King Crab, Wild Alaska Halibut and Wild Alaska Salmon.
Each course will be paired with wine selections of JCB No. 21, Cremant de Bourgogne, NV; Domaine de la Perrière Sancerre; La Crema Monterey Chardonnay; and CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.
Guests can only order the Alaska Weathervane Scallops as part of the pre-fixed menu selections. The five-course dinner costs $85 per guest.
“We are looking forward to sharing this ultra-fresh seasonal indulgence with our loyal patrons,” said Wade Wiestling, corporate executive chef of The Oceanaire Seafood Room. “It is a short fishery with very limited catch, so we encourage area-residents to come try these legendary scallops while we have them!”
The Oceanaire is at 9101 International Drive. For reservations, call 407-363-4801.
Oceanaire is located in the Pointe Orlando plaza, and is known for its nautical décor that gives patrons the feeling of dining on an ocean cruiser.
Oceanaire is owned Landry’s Inc., a multinational company based in Houston, Texas that operates more than 500 high-end and casual dining establishments around the world.

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