Dale Saunders Offers Albany Dining Options
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
With Riverfront BBQ established in downtown Albany with a loyal client base, owner Dale Saunders has turned his sights to a new waterfront location for fun, medium- to high-end dining in Albany. Saunders opened The Riverfront Seafood and Steakhouse four months ago with executive chef Nate Nault cooking up a selection of grilled and fried seafood and steaks as well as homemade soups and salad dressings.
“I thought there’s a need for a fun, casual dining spot in a really beautiful setting,” Saunders explained. “Nate is a wonderful, experienced chef with really great menu ideas.”
Located off the beaten path at 2650 N. Jefferson St., Riverfront Seafood and Steakhouse is currently open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights but will soon add service on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings as well. Saunders’ other restaurant, Riverfront BBQ, opened in 2007 and is located at 105 W. Broad Ave.
Dining on the waterfront
Riverfront Seafood and Steakhouse is located on a creek with outdoor seating available. According to Nault, “it’s a great place to come for a unique atmosphere and a wonderful meal.”
“Everything is fresh and available grilled or broiled. We’ll also serve fried entrees for people who are looking for Southern cooking,” Nault explained.
Nault served in the Navy where he worked as a chef and was sent for training to the Cordon Bleu in London. Afterward, he worked as a sous chef and apprentice at Greenbrier Resort, a private chef and ran his own restaurant. He counts former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney among the people he has served.
According to Saunders, it is taking people a bit longer than expected to find Riverhouse Seafood and Steakhouse. The economic recession and the restaurant’s somewhat remote location are behind the slow start.
“I’m sure that in 12 months the Steakhouse will be just as packed and busy as Riverfront BBQ,” Saunders said.
Doing fine at Riverfront BBQ
Business remains steady at Saunders’ original restaurant, Riverfront BBQ, although it is no longer growing at a rapid pace. The economic slowdown and the loss of major corporate clients have cut into the number of big catering jobs.
“We have a great, loyal customer base that continues to support us. We’re doing fine,” Saunders said.
Saunders opened Riverfront BBQ after cooking to rave reviews at church fundraisers and on weekends at a local grocery store. He purchased a used barbeque pit while still working full-time as a terminal manager for a home improvement chain.
“Everyone kept saying we should open a restaurant so we finally did. We started in the downtown location with about 1,000 sq.ft. of space and now have grown to 5,000 sq. ft.,” Saunders said.
According to Saunders, when he opened Riverfront BBQ in 2007 the economy was already slowing down in Albany but the restaurant was growing so fast, he didn’t see it. Now that major companies like Cooper Tire and Merck have left town and so many people are unemployed, Saunders has seen his business level off.
“We need more industry and more good jobs in the area. I hope local leaders are focused on attracting business to Albany, particularly to downtown,” Saunders said.
For more information on Riverfront BBQ, call (229) 888-4647. For more information on Riverfront Seafood and Steakhouse, call (229) 888-3007.
