BlackSalt Restaurant - Washington D.C.

Last Monday, my daughter took me to lunch at BlackSalt Restaurant.  The front of the restaurant is a fish market and the first thing that struck me is it doesn't smell like fish. 



BlackSalt Restaurant

  BlackSalt is one of those east coast restaurant that looks small from the front, but it goes on forever- before you reach the back of the restaurant.  Much larger than it first appears.  We were lead to our seats.  Because it was lunch hour, they had lunch hour cocktails.  For five dollars, I had a champagne with Creme de Cassis.  First time I had ever had that and it was delich.  I'll pay five dollars for any cocktail.

here's lookin' at you, kid

 We had three courses.  For my first course, I chose the Rhode Island Calamari with Chipotle Remoulade.  It was very good.

calamari

 My daughter had the Organic Virginia Squash Bisque Spice Mascarpone, Pepitas, Vincotto.  Thick.  Creamy.  Tasty.  Delicious.  Just as it should be.  There was a touch of cinnamon- which was a nice touch.

squash bisque

 For my entree I had the Wood Grilled Atlantic Mahi-Mahi with Smoked Bacon, White Beans, English Peas and Charred Greens.  Excellent combination.  The mahi-mahi was flaky and light and perfect.

mahi-mahi

 My daughter had the Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia Sandwich with Avocado, Baby Greens and Pickled Red Onions.  I'm sorry to say I did not get a pic of her meal.  The tilapia was cooked with some sort of breading which was tasty.  If I had not ordered the mahi-mahi, I would have ordered the tilapia.
For dessert, my daughter ordered key lime pie with blueberry compote and whipped cream.

key lime pie

 I ordered the chocolate chambord truffle cake with raspberry compote and whipped cream.  It was so good that it left me longing for more.  Isn't that how it should be?  I wanted to lick my plate clean.  First of all, I would never do such a thing.  Second of all, I would never embarrass my daughter like that.  Even if I did, she would look at the other diners and explain:  she is from Indiana.

truffle cake

I am a member of the clean plate club.  I once wrote a column about it when I was a columnist for my home town paper.  It is my mother's fault. 
There was a couple beside us.  An older couple.  Classic east coast.  She wore her hair dark and despite the fact that he was probably late seventies or so, his hair was touched with red.  I suspect he colored his hair, too.  When I ate all of my mahi-mahi, she looked over and made fun saying to him "clean your plate, Stan, clean your plate," and nodded towards me.  I know when I'm being made fun of.  Whatever.  I was with my daughter in a wonderful restaurant.  Her treat.  Of course I cleaned my plate.  I don't think my daughter was aware of what they said, that I was the butt of their folly. 
I'm at the point in my life if you want to make fun of me, have at it. 
BlackSalt restaurant was so good.  Such fresh seafood.  Of course I cleaned my plate!