The new DC Zagat ratings are out and Blacksalt moved
up and is considered one of the top 45 spots in the DC Metro area with a
26 "food" rating (nobody got more than 28)!
That said, when we want to dine nearby, it's always our #1 choice since it's only 3 minutes away by car!
Our
cousins were visiting from NY on Sunday so we head over for a superb
evening and got the best table in the house right next to the huge glass
kitchen wall, so we could see everything and watch the super team
at
work. We ordered a magnificent bottle of Yves Cuilleron "Le Lombard"
Marsanne 2013 from the St. Joseph area of the Rhone. I've visited this
wineyard twice and met M. Cuilleron himself when he was alive; they
still make some of the best wines in France. The Lombard is smooth with a
huge nose and tons of the amazing minerals from the cliffs that
overlook the Rhone and the Alps in the distance.
A plate of
Butterfish & Tuna Sashimi arrived for us to dig into with crispy
Fried Rock Shrimp and several tasty sauces scattered around; spectacular
with this wine!
I actually started with the Japanese Me Dai
(Butterfish) Sashimi and was thrilled to have a full plate to myself
with Snow Peas, Radish, Crispy Ginger, Red Miso Aioli and Sesame Tamari
sauces. The fish was indeed as Barbra would say "like buttah."
I
could have eaten a ton. Will went for the Wood Grilled Baby Ocotpus
which has a new preparation with Spicy Peperonata, Salsa Verde and
Confit Gold Potatoes. Need I say more?
My cousin had the
Oysters Rockefeller and his wife decided on one large starter of the
Miso Marinated Butterfish with Tempura Rock Shrimp, Sticky Rice,
Broccolini, Shitake Mushroom and Sake-Yuzu Glaze which did this truly
amazing fish great justice.
We moved on to an amazing bottle
of Oregon Pinot Noir suggested by Jim, the manager, from Cameron "Clos
Electrique" 2011 from the Dundee Hills that was huge on the nose, a bit
spicy, but smooth as silk in the mouth.
Wood Grilled Swordfish
was a dream with Polenta Cake, Confit Eggplant, Grilled Squash and
Spinach Sundried Tomato Vinaigrette. Our sever, Irwan, declared this his
favorite dish on the menu due to all the excellent veggies and superb
fish; boy, was he right on.
Atlantic BigEye Tuna is always a
hit here (and today I'm headed to their market to get some to make
tartare for our dinner!), now prepared with Jewel Sweet Potatoes, Corn
Smoked Greens, Confit Pork & Sweet Potato Mole (catch a photo here -http://www.blacksaltrestaurant.com/dinner-menu/entrees/)
My
Wood Grilled Mackerel with Spicy Puttanesca, Roman Artichokes, Soft
Polenta and Arugula Pesto was truly one of the best dishes I have ever
had here, and hands down the best mackerel dish ever. The fish is
strong, so it needs something extra big and this was right up my alley
(check out my facebook page for a photo of this awesome dish and dessert
as well).
We could not resist dessert and it's always a
treat. Samuel, who had foregone the steak and fish menu for grilled
chicken ended up gobbling the entire Chocolate Chambord Truffle Cake
with Raspberry Compote and Whipped Cream before I could even grab a
photo. The trio of Creme Brulees are white chocolate/raspberry,
butterscotch and milk chocolate/hazelnut which has to please just about
anyone. Will always has the Key Lime Pie now with Blueberry Compote,
Whipped Cream and Sesame Seed Tuile which is nice, but I love it really
limey, so I went for the amazing always tops Chocolate Peanut Butter
Crunch Cake with Caramelized Bananas & Peanut Brittle which my
cousins graciously helped me finish as it was so rich and so huge.
We left all full knowing that Blacksalt is the BEST in our 'hood!
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