How to address email to professor your advisor knows My advisor recommended I email a well-known professor at another institution because of our shared interests. 

He said I should use his name in my email so I'm good on that. 

I (of course) refer to professors in my department and other professors who I have met by their first name. But having never met this particular person I am wondering what the least awkward least offensive most professional salutation would be in an email to hopefully set up a meeting.
Probably "Dear Professor [name], I am a student of Professor [your advisor's surname], and (s)he suggested that I write to you about ..."

At worst, a bit of excess formality may seem silly, but it will not seem disrespectful or rude, in any case.