It's 2009 and we've celebrated the first of four FDP birthdays. We had the perfect celebration for Kate at Black Salt located on MacArthur Boulevard. When you first enter Black Salt you are greeted with a ton of fresh fish, as it is a fish market as well as a restaurant. If you proceed to the back you step into the crisp, clean looking bar which is where we kicked things off with some Kir Royales. We were promptly seated in the small and comfy dining room, where we were immediately greeted by our server, Celestin.
As in true FDP tradition, we toasted to Kate with a bottle of champagne that we brought. The Charles Heidseck 1995 Blanc de Blanc was creamy and nutty with hints of caramel, or as Kate put it "Caramel Popcorn." While we sipped on that we mulled over the regular menu in addition to the chef's daily menu. We were mighty hungry so we order our appetizers pretty quickly. While we wanted one of everything on the menu we decided on the Fried Ipswich clams, which were huge, the Baby Octopus, which was pleasantly tender, the Seared Day Boat Scallops with Shrimp, Calamari and Cauliflower with Brandy Butter, which was all deliciously fresh and succulent, and the Wood Grilled Sardines, which were simply prepared with grilled lemon and olives. All of the appetizers were scrumptious in very different ways.
We waited a little to order our entrees, after we devoured our appetizers, and took a minute to mull over the wine list and enjoy the bread and oil they had brought over. We spoke with one of the sommeliers, who helped us settle on "one of his top 5 favorite wines on the list" a bottle of Vouvray, which we should've written the name down. Regardless, it was floral with hints of honey and slightly effervescent. A great match with our seafood.
After discussing some options with Celestin, we placed our orders. We always order individually but just end up sharing everything, so here goes the selections in no particular order: Arctic Char with Pancetta braised brussel sprouts, Seared Skate wing, Spanish Mackerel with house cured Chorizo and Farro, and the Tonno Stufato which is a seafood stew with Sea Bass, clams, tomato broth and garlic. As with our appetizers we were more than satisfied with our dishes. The portions were hearty, but we managed to pack most of it in. The Char had a great sear on it and was richly textured between it's natural fattiness and the pancetta brussel sprouts. The Mackerel had a nice kick to it from the chorizo but was balanced out with the farro oily flesh of the fish. The Skate Wing, which was a first for some FDPs, was simply pan seared and melted in your mouth. Lastly, the Tonno Stufato was a generous bowl of tomato based stew that had a wonderful garlic background and was filled with clams and a piece of bass on the top. We requested more bread for all of the dishes so we could lap up the sauce.
As if we haven't had enough at this point, out rolled the deserts! What's a birthday without a little cake.... or how about a sampling of the entire desert offerings! Susan Wallace, is a dear friend and former co-worker of Amanda, who is currently the pastry chef at Black Salt. She was more than generous in sending out the selections, she must've known Kate has a sweet tooth! While Celestin went through our platters, describing each one, Kate unsuccessfully attempted to blow out her birthday sparkler, which in then turned her cheeks red! Thankfully one of the managers helped to put it out and we were free to dig in! I don't think words can describe the delectableness (is that even a word) of everything, but I will try and recall them. Kate's specialty plate was a warm chocolate bread pudding. We then had samples of key lime pie, coconut banana cream cake, creme brulee, chocolate peanut butter cake (a favorite), apple cheesecake, apple tart, and so much more! Please see the attached photo.
The entire evening was fun, comfortable, and needless to say absolutely delicious. Our mouths are still salivating thinking about it. We will definitely be back but in the meantime we give it 4 Oinks!
