Bivalves and Brews: Huntsville’s Newest is Sea Salt, An Urban Oyster Bar
If you like oysters, beer and the beach, downtown Huntsville is about to have two of those things within easy reach.
Sea Salt, An Urban Oyster Bar will be the newest restaurant from Stephanie Kennedy-Mell and Matthew Mell. It is replacing Corner Pour, which is downtown at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Washington Street. Kennedy-Mell said Sea Salt will serve a variety of oysters from across the country, more than two dozen beers on tap, an extensive wine offering and special seasonal foods.
“We loved the name Sea Salt,” Kennedy-Mell said. “It was a collective decision for the name between my husband Mathew, myself and our Executive Chef Kannon Swaris. Sea salt doesn’t always have to scream seafood, but we wanted the aspect of sea because we’re a raw bar, along with having other things such as miso soup or gyoza (dumplings) in fall.
“We want to be able to be the corner bar downtown, where people can wander in, grab a purple cup, enjoy some oysters and a beer or wine, and have a good time. We’re looking for a casual feel with upscale service.”
The Mells are looking at June 17 for the hard opening, with a couple of soft opening events prior. Sea Salt will not be taking reservations, she said. Tables and a bar area will provide seating, as will an outdoor courtyard behind the bar. The front of Corner Pour is being removed and replaced with a roll-up door, for a casual walk-in atmosphere.
Ten televisions will offer sports coverage. Among the two dozen beers on tap will be “unique beers you can’t get anywhere else here,” Kennedy-Mell said, “along with some we’re collaborating on with local brewers.”
She said special events will be held for wine and beer pairings with oysters, which offer different tastes due to size and location in the country. Some are sweeter, some are more briny, some are bigger and others smaller.
“I thought we would need to educate people about oysters, to be honest, but the more we talk with people around here they clearly are knowledgeable and express preferences for what they like and want,” Kennedy-Mell said. “Some prefer the Pacific Northwest. Others have mentioned specific oysters from Massachusetts and the Northeast. So I think we have a pretty educated group of people.
“But we know others will want to learn more about oysters and where they’re from and what they taste like, so we’ll be prepared for that, too.”
Swaris was hired from his position as sous chef at Nobu in Miami. He also covered two other luxury restaurants there at the Conrad Hilton and Ritz Carlton. Swaris had a food truck in Miami with a similar vibe to Sea Salt and believed it would go over here.
“We talk a lot with different people and our customers to try to figure out what is working, what is missing, what niches are unexplored and untapped,” Kennedy-Mell said. “We try to learn what the needs are here in Huntsville and believe this is one niche that will work. That our chef has some experience with this concept, too, is another reason to believe it will work.’
Along with the renovation for Sea Salt and its opening in three weeks, the Mells are opening an updated Church Street Wine Shoppe on June 1.
Kennedy-Mell said “it will be completely new, with tapas and Italian.”
