Day Two in Baltimore: FoodPorn Issue

The day was good fun. A few sales, a few good buys, several great clients stopped by to say hi. Fun had by all. An then it was over and the best part of the day began.

We had 9pm reservations at Salt. We gathered first in our room (Josh, Sunday, Lauren, Cythia, Suz & ijk) Wine and some munchies and much laughter. Nice to settle down (and be off one's feet) after the day and before dinner.

We arrived shortly before 9pm. The hostess (owner?!?) remembered me from past years and was particularly lovely. Given that we are only in town once a year, it was very nice that she remembered us...more so that she seemed pleased and amused to have us back (admittedly, we did eat there twice during last year's visit). Two of our party of six were new to the fare, but feel in love.

As is often the case, we opted to share appetizers and

selected the following:

Eastern Shore Corn and Shellfish

Chowder: Applewood bacon, fresh thyme

Corvina Ceviche: Ginger, lime, cilantro, aji amarillo, red onion, cusco corn, sweet potatoes (x2)

Duck Fat French Fries: With a trio of aioli (x2)

Crispy Hoisin Duck Spring Roll: Spicy Chinese mustard dipping sauce (x2)

The Ceviche was made with grouper and was wonderful (an interesting contrast to last year's shrimp). The chowder was

exceptional and the spring rolls were basically peking duck deep fried and crispy...just delicious. The fries were, as always, delicious.

We decided that we would basically share entrees as well. This was a great idea, as it is so hard to make choices as too many things beckon you...

We settled on the following:

Grilled Atlantic Wahoo: Quinoa and vegetable salad, mango chimichurri sauce

Coriander and Pepper Crusted Tuna: Served over seaweed salad with spicy tuna pot stickers and ginger soy glaze

Grilled Lamb Sirloin: Curried carrot fritter, watercress and bean salad, feta vinaigrette

Fresh Pasta with Corn, Asparagus and Chiles: Sweet corn butter, fresh thyme, shaved Pecorino Romano (x2 (1 split between the two more or less veggies at the table))

Dinner was simply exceptional. Not only have I not had a bad meal at Salt, I've never had a bad dish. While everything was genuinely great, it was the tuna that stole the show for me...seered about .25 of an inch in, the rest was cool and raw. It was beyond good. Just the best tuna I've ever eaten.

We finished our meal and wicked, wicked waiter told us the desert options. We decided to be good:

Trio of Ice Cream Cones (house-made icecream, orea, blueberry and white choc. and key lime) (x2)

Goat Cheese Doughnuts drizzled with Lavender Honey and a wee cup of house-made coffee icecream

Dark Chocolate Gelato with fresh fruit and Grand Marnier

The trio(s) were delicious and the gelato smooth and wonderful. The doughnuts, however, were in a class by themselves. Lauren forced us (against our will and better judgement) to order as second serving of them them...to be fair, she also ate most of the second round...sacrificing herself to save us from ourselves. There is no way to describe just how good they were. Come to Baltimore. Eat at Salt. Have them yourself. You will not regret it.

We finished the evening at the end of a pier watching and/or dancing the tango. Fish were jumping, music playing, people dancing. Such a good day...