Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Blacksalt in DC; always worth going back to! (1-18-16)

We started off our year back in DC with a return visit to Blacksalt, easily the closest dining spot to our home, and it always makes me want to go back again and again.
The Chili Margarita brought back memories of Mexico with a smallish drink that packed a punch made from Milagro Silver Tequila with habanero, Lime & Salt.
The warm breads and herbed dipping oil was a big hit with the boys and also the adults.
Samuel had a huge pasta lunch as he had gone out with friends, so he only ordered the quite large starter of Skuna Bay Salmon Tartare with Sushi Rice, Ponzu, Sesame, Scallion, some Wasabi Oil & Spicy Aoili that both packed a punch. The tartare was sprinkled with crispy pieces of batter tempura for a nice crunch that really made the dish super.
Caesar Salad & Beets & Baby Citrus Salad were huge and also got raves, while Will had his standard the Woodgrilled Baby Octopus. I loved the simple Pacific Kampachi Crudo with Roasted Chestnut Aioli, Pickled Butternut Squash, Local Apple and Micro Leeks, but for $18 the portion is really extremely small. The fish was superb and the flavors were great, but maybe an extra couple of slices would have been nice.
We started with a bottle of Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Oregon Pinot Noir 2012 from Eola-Amity Hills which was full of fruit in the mouth and then moved on to an awesome Villa Creek High Road, James Berry Vineyard 2012 in Paso Robles recommended by superb sommelier JJ, which is an amazing blend of 50% Grenache and 25% each Syrah & Mourverdre that really is a full bodied mouthful of berries and earth.
It was a great wine with the Atlantic Big Eye Tuna with Crispy Pork Belly, Kimchi Broth, Snow Peas & Mushrooms that itself was also extremely flavorful.
I had the Maryland Rockfish with came with Chanterelles, Haricots Verts, Brandy Cream, Black Trumpet Mushrooms and Pommes Puree. It was a huge dish also full of flavor that I loved with the wine as well.
One of the boys had some Mango Sorbet, but we wobbled home quite full after another meal so deserving of big bravos at Blacksalt!