Bruce Gerleman, founder and owner of Splash Seafood Bar & Grill in downtown Des Moines, shares the compelling origin story behind Iowa's most iconic seafood destination. Sparked by the closure of his favorite local seafood restaurant, Gerleman decided to bring fresh, fine-dining seafood to Iowa using inspiration drawn from his deep-sea fishing adventures in the Florida Keys. Splash opened in 1998 and now celebrates its 27th year of operation inside the historic Homestead Building, offering a one-of-a-kind, immersive dining experience.
The space boasts three floors of ocean-themed design, including massive saltwater aquariums, original marine murals by renowned artist Saley Nong, and museum-worthy art pieces insured for over half a million dollars. "What this city needs is a fine dining, fresh seafood restaurant," Gerleman explained. This vision was realized not just through design, but through logistics—like flying in fish daily from coastal hubs and hiring a full-time scientist to create and maintain the restaurant's custom saltwater tanks.
From Jet-Fresh Fish to $200 Caviar: Elevating Midwest Seafood Standards
Gerleman's approach to seafood is as meticulous as it is bold. Each morning, fresh fish arrives from Honolulu, Boston, Seattle, and Alaska, packed in layers of ice—never dry ice—and hand-cut in-house. "These boxes come in every morning at 10 o'clock… there's a big loin of tuna, sea bass, mackerel, whatever fish we've ordered that day," he said. This ensures Iowa diners get seafood as fresh as any coastal city.
The restaurant's oyster program is equally refined. Splash only serves oysters from the cold, clean waters of the Pacific Northwest and New England, known for producing the best flavor profiles due to their natural refrigeration and mineral-rich bays. "Oysters… taste like whatever minerals wash down into that bay," Gerleman noted. For newcomers, options like Oysters Rockefeller or oysters topped with caviar offer an elevated introduction.
Award-Winning Excellence and Longstanding Staff Loyalty
Splash's excellence hasn't gone unnoticed. The restaurant is the only one in Iowa to earn both the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and the Distinguished Restaurants of North America Award. With a wine cellar valued at $300,000 and a menu featuring prime Iowa beef alongside fresh seafood, the experience is both luxurious and deeply local.
Equally impressive is the staff. "I have one person that's been there 25 years… and our bartender, a PhD in philosophy and a master of spirits, has been there 18," Gerleman proudly shared. Their longevity underscores a culture of loyalty, expertise, and passion that elevates every guest's experience.