Salts Restaurant
Categories: French, American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Kendall Square/MIT798 Main Street
Cambridge, MA 02139 (617) 876-8444
- Nearest Transit:
Central (Red)
- Price Range: $$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: No
- Good for Kids: No
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: No
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
34 Reviews for Salts Restaurant
Who would expect to find one of Cambridge's best restaurants sharing a side street with Pu Pu Hot Pot and the Junior Mint factory? The Salts dining room is tiny but elegant, like taking a meal in the home of your friend with the perfect taste. The menu is small, but the flavors in a single dish somehow manage to be simultaneously comforting and surprising. The service is patient, attentive, and unpretentious. I would eat here every day if I could, but my meager grad student stipend leaves Salts as a special occasion to look forward to.
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I'm at lost for words...except this place is wonderful, romantic and authentic. The wine and food are so delicious! You'll be reminded that food and wine can be more than exceptionally tasty but far beyond exquisiteness and elegant sultry.
If you decide to go here--go crazy, indulge yourself. Get the 5 course meal. And get two half bottle of wine: red and white. They will match your wine to the food accordingly.
Orgasmic!
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The cuisine at Salts is an exercise in culinary technique, and it was that fact, even more than the excellent flavors of the food, that made my trip there so enjoyable.
I started with a pear and mache salad, which proved both delicate and flavorful in its toasted hazelnut vinaigrette. I also tried a bite of the rabbit tortelloni, which I'd recommend strongly as well.
My main course was a ballotine of chicken, which is probably one of the most complicated ways to serve the bird. Essentially, you take out the white meat, season and puree it, then stuff it back into the thigh meat and cook that whole thing. The result, if done right (which it was here) is delicious and tender chicken breast covered in perfectly cooked thigh and leg skin. See? Exercise in technique.
I also tried the pan roasted fluke, which was a hearty offering of the white fish, and a bite of the beautifully plated and admirably cooked sirloin. Both are great choices.
I summoned great strength and found room for dessert - a selection of ice creams and sorbets. They have six to choose from and you get to pick three, which was a nice touch. I opted for a walnut ice cream, mango sorbet and cocoa sorbet. Everything was excellent, though I ate it in the wrong order. The mango sorbet batted lead off, and socked my taste buds so hard I wasted the first two bites of the walnut ice cream getting them back. Live and learn, I suppose.
Over the course of the meal, the wait staff kept us constantly wealthy with fresh baked rolls and small gifts from the kitchen (like a goat cheese ravioli with watermelon and a small sorbet and fruit course). The service was excellent over all. Our waiter was well-informed and offered us excellent suggestions and hearty approval. The manager walked the floor to make sure we were enjoying ourselves.
One item that I feel I must mention is that a number of fruit flies made their presence known while we were eating. We brought it up to the manager, who promptly moved us, refreshed my associate's salad, and offered profuse apology. Apparently, they had just redone their herb planter, and coupled with the humidity, made a perfect situation for fruit flies to join the party. The way that the matter was resolved got a thumbs up from me.
Overall, Salts is a wonderful meal in a small, comfortable restaurant. The price is up there, but they could've easily charge $8 more on everything and folks would pay it. I recommend it strongly as a place to take someone that truly loves food.
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When walking into Salts, I was immediately greeted by one of the friendly waitstaff, my wet umbrella was whisked out of my hands, and before I could blink my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting, I was seated with the rest of my companions, menu in hand. The waitress immediately began assuring us that she would be able to answer any questions we had or terms we needed explained. At first I thought that perhaps we were being treated with a smidge of condesension as we were by far the youngest diners of the establishment that evening, but as the night wore on I discovered that her desire to elaborate on every menu item came from a want to share her excitement and expertise more than an assumption of inexperience for my party.
Some notes on the menu: The menu is small but varied. Notably, there were 3 fish dishes, which I thought was a boon to the restaurant as they were all very different takes--a spiced tuna, a pan roasted trout with chanterelles. The appetizers also contained a lot of variation inside of but a few items--white gazpacho, citrus cured Hamachi. My companions and I observed throughout our meal that all was fresh and locally grown when possible. The wine list was a bit of a disappointment. Nothing by the bottle jumped out as a good "investment" (very pricey wine list) and the glass of wine (Atalayas de Golban, 2005, Spain) I had was merely serviceable but nothing spectacular.
I chose a pear and mache salad with toasted hazelnut vinagrette as a starter. It was beautifully presented with a small mound of chevre, but the vinagrette was a bit uninspired--bland and very mild on the toasted notes. The pears were perfectly fresh, sweet and tender, but the mache was an odd pairing. Its delicate flavor was completely consumed by the strong sweetness of the pear.
For my entree I had a pan-seared fluke dish with elderberry-infused raisins, apricots, leeks, and grapes in a savory sauce. The combination of sweetness and savory was really quite excellent. The sauce was right in terms of heaviness to complement the fluke, which was also firm and tender, not at all limp or soupy.
Dessert was also nuanced and rich, with my having chosen the chocolate truffle with coffee gelee and apricot sorbet. The chocolate was clearly of very high quality, as it left that dry, deep taste on my tongue that lingered long after the initial bite. The sorbet was a good complement and hidden at the bottom of the truffle was a bit of something salty and tasting of coffee ("a surprise" as the waitress informed me). The sudden salt taste was shocking but was actually enjoyable (for one bite--I'm glad it was merely a surprise and not a primary component of the dish).
The only true issue with our evening at Salts, an intimate and fairly accessible French-American restaurant, was the presence of tiny flies throughout the meal. They flew onto my salad, my wine glass, and I asked the waitstaff to take action. They moved me and my party to another open table to see if that would help (it didn't; the flies were coming from the planter in the center of the room), made me a new salad, refreshed my wine with another half glass, and threw in my dessert for free. The flies definitely were unfortunate, but I really got the sense they were doing all they could to contain them and keep me contented.
Based on the food, soft lighting and quiet ambience, I would recommend Salts for a romantic dinner, catching up with an old friend, or a small gathering.
And one last thought...the music piped in over the speakers was soft hip lounge music, tasteful but modern. It complemented my experience and did not distract--until there was an elevator music style standard of "Killing Me Softly." It sealed the deal for Salts being an unpretentious but elegant experience.
My roommate's Englishness is really rubbing off on me. As much as he abhors American English I embrace Britishisms like "brilliant, absolutely brilliant!" and "you want to splurge but save money at the same time?? What bollocks!" Should really keep the Masterpiece Theatre programming to a minimum though...although who could blame you if PBS was your English teacher. Be thankful my reviews don't digress ala Sesame Street or Mr. Rogers...although....
Service was impeccable, the food/wine pairings delectable, the bathrooms spa-like and comes with complementary views of the bar and kitchen. An order of the chef's tasting will allow you to sample virtually everything on the menu, rearranged as he sees fit, 2 dessert plates included. But if you want duck, call ahead, they only keep a couple on hand each night but will reserve one just for you.
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. It's just simply brilliant when you can end an evening licking black salt off your plate.
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The duck wasn't bad; it just tasted like college cafeteria food on a good day. Most of the bill is definitely for the service, because the food is nothing spectacular.
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Duck seems to be so popular at Salts that you must reserve ahead of time but what I enjoyed on the menu was fantastic. The Clam-Chorizo appetizer was a highlight. The best part was the lemon-garlic-butter sauce on the plate! Not one drop remained! Very elegant menu with original tastes and ideas.
A very good wine list, but not many bottles under $50. You will be spending a lot here but the list is very well balanced and is not full of over the top wines. It is so good, you could blindly pick a wine and be very happy with it. Staff was very knowledgeable and kind. A very pleasurable meal.
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An amazing experience - deliberately refined, yet featuring comforting, home-like dishes. A perfect example of this dichotomy was the French white asparagus with house-cured jamon, soft cooked farm egg, hazelnut, and aged Parmesan. And, when that perfect, crispy duck arrived, carved on a sideboard adjacent to our table, the aroma filling the room, how could we resist tearing into it with our fingers? Service was peerless. We cannot wait to return.
Another reviewer called it the best restaurant in Cambridge and I find that sentiment hard to argue with.
I went to Salts a couple of months back when the soft shell crab was in season and then slightly further back for their take on rabbit. Their food has always blown me away. Exquisitely prepared, well served, beautifully plated. This place has it all.
The server I had both times was a little over enthusiastic (I think he was new, everything he set at the table had this elaborate wrist flourish thing. It was hilarious), but the decor and feel of the place is very elegant.
Highest recommendation, but be prepared to spend a couple of very pretty pennies.
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Wow. I have dined here twice, and have enjoyed every penny of it. Although what I though was a parsnip was actually foie-gras, which was a little disconcerting, because the two are very different. But hey, I'm a cat. Although I can't remember precisely what I had here, I remember the dessert very well. Chocolate oozed out of it after I pierced its hard exterior with my spoon. It was liked I killed something and was eating its insides, and oh man was it good, because the insides were a slow-flowing chocolate, that wasn't too sweet.
I was underwhelmed.
I went here with the parents and the gf. I was really excited to try this place after hearing the roaring reviews. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I just think the food was generally bland.
We started off with the foie gras, which was delicious. Definitely my favorite part of the meal. It was unfortunate that the portion was so small. (I also enjoyed the rolls, as well!)
The gf and I shared the famed duck course. My dad ordered the beef sirloin while my mom ordered the sea trout. I'll talk about them in order.
I enjoyed watching the waiter bring out this fat duck and carve out the portions. The taste? Meh. The duck skin was glazed and quite good, but the duck meat itself was a bit hard. The stuffing tasted like something I'd eat at an average Thanksgiving dinner. It wasn't bad, but I didn't reach for seconds. The steak was tender but again the flavors were unremarkable. Same can be said about the sea trout.
You could tell that the chef possessed a fair amount of craftsmanship but at the end of the day, none of the three entrees made me go "Wow." I was expecting to be blown away, but felt like I had walked away from a well-crafted but kind of boring meal.
That being said, the service was top-notch. I did feel it was a little over the top when they scraped away the crumbs with the butter-knife but in general, the wait staff was very attentive, full of knowledge, and very kind.
Maybe I'll give this place another chance someday, but my first experience was disappointing.
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A very fine, yet unpretentious French restaurant serving excellent food.
Yes, I ordered the duck and liked it very much, thank you!
Their wine selection is fab, but not a hint of cheese on the menu--which I think is strange.
Best duck I've ever had. It's a two-person affair, so I recommend doing whatever it takes (bribery, illicit favors?) to convince one of your dining partners to split this entree with you. It was presented in a marvelous fashion, carefully carved tableside, and included a fantastic bread stuffing and melt-in-your mouth roasted vegetables, both well-enriched by the flavor of the duck. The duck meat itself was remarkably moist and tender, encased in perfectly crispy skin. We had lots of leftovers, which were still knock-your-socks-off good the next day.
The other very memorable dish was a creative parsnip soup that came with a dollop of bittersweet chocolate sauce on top. This was a mind-altering dish; parsnip and chocolate are brilliant together!
We split 2 bottles of red, but their names have slipped my mind...I believe from Rhone and Spain, both great.
For dessert I had a very good gingerbread with some sort of delicious homemade ice cream (I think, this was over a month ago now). Not as mind-blowing as the first two courses, but that would be near-impossible.
Service was excellent; we were given a secluded table by the window, and the waiter was cute, friendly, and helpful. The mood in this restaurant is very warm and happy- I hope to return relatively soon!
The best restaurant in Cambridge. I've been there for four of the seasonal menus and highly recommend getting their prix fixe menu. Make sure to try their soup and I'm always a fan of the Wagyu beef.
Salts is small, but not noisy or crowded. It has very good food and excellent, knowledgeable service. We were four on a Saturday night. The duck I had was not greasy or dry. I haven't had such a good duck in many years. The terrine I had as appetizer was succulent and tasty, again, the best I've had in a long time. The wine list was well balanced and the waiters very knowledgeable about it.. The desserts are very good and beautifully presented. A thoroughly enjoyable visit.
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Service was Exceptionally Good
Wine was out of this world
They over-cooked my Sea Bass (Slanted Door SF Sea Bass, still king)
They made me a memorable dessert
Class and Charm and Humility too
That's what was cool, their humble nature.
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This place is good. Went there on a saturday night. The restaurant itself is very small, maybe twelve tables, but none of them are too close to another, and you can have a good conversation while enjoying your meal. We were seated promptly upon arrival.
Service: very good. Passes the water-glass test. B+ on the bread test, but not the end of the world. The member of my dinner party who wanted more bread didn't actually eat the bread, so it doesn't count. The waiter was attentive and helped us pick a wine based on our desire for something like a riesling but not as sweet.
Food: the duck was excellent, as was the fois gras terrine. Actually that terrine was unbelievably excellent. I tried the same thing a week later at pigalle, and it was a joke after having eaten here. Other things on the menu looked good too, including the steak and the game hen, but unlike said steak, I have only one stomach.
Dessert: I didn't have room, so I have a bite of another person's chocolate cake, which was great.
In sum: both food and service are great and i would certainly come here again.
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This restaurant is worth every dollar you spend there. Fine dining at it's absolute best in Cambridge. The place is spotless, intimate, cozy, warm, inviting, the staff treat you as if you are coming into their home. The food is prepared as art and cooked perfectly. I had a wonderful birthday experience here, my boyfriend and I devoured everything on our plates and excitedly shared bites. If you're looking for a place for a special occasion, and you prefer a small, intimate, local, hidden jewel-type of experience, this is it.
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I finally made my way over to salts this past new years eve. the hostess was so kind, gentle, and always smiling. she was very accomodating as well.
salts is everything and more. it's tiny but not as small as ten tables. It is cozy, romantic tiny. the food was devine. i had gone for the new years eve special so my choice was limited but i was not disappointed. portions were small but you'll leave full and so satisfied. they don't skimp either. we kept getting complimentry dishes from the chef.
i will need to go back and try their regular menu but the 4 course menu for $75 is worth every penny.
Lives up to the hype. This tiny restaurant on the outskirts of Central Square is a real gem. It's pricey for sure - entrees are in the $30 range - but it's worth it for a special occasion - like a first wedding anniversary which is why my wife and I went there this weekend.
The atmosphere is intimate - it's a small restaurant with about a dozen tables and waitstaff buzzing around from place to place. The service was attentive. We were promptly seated, promptly given bread and water, and our waiter, Andrew, was helpful and informative - and gave us a very solid wine recommendation. The dress is on the more formal side. If you're a guy and you're not wearing a collared shirt, you will feel out of place. Polo okay in the summer.
After we ordered we were presented with an amuse-bouche - a warm corn soup with a piece of sturgeon in it. Very tasty.
The meal began with two appetizers - a pear and greens salad (pear and mache) and a rabbit stew. The pear and greens salad was a great starter - served cold. It was tasty and not too sweet and came with some great goat's milk cheese. The rabbit stew was very savory and flavorful - I haven't had rabbit in a long while and I enjoyed it quite a bit. There was some liver in there too - not my favorite but still good. Of the two appetizers, I'd probably recommend the pear salad over the stew.
For the entree, my wife and I split the duck special for two. It was huge, impressive, and tasted GREAT. The waiter cuts the duck up for you, so that much of it is boneless (the legs are still in there). The skin is crunchy and slightly sweet. The meat itself is rich and tender. Really impressive. A wonderful centerpiece dish.
Our waiter recommended a particular bottle of wine from the Tandem winery in Sonoma - it was great. The wine list is kind of pricey here - $50 for your cheapest bottle of red. The Tandem was $60. I don't love it when wine prices are so jacked up but at least the tandem was good. You could save some money by ordering a couple of beers. I saw a number of folks doing this.
For dessert, we split the lemon soufflee. It was light and wonderful, and came with a side of some sour lemon ice cream which was okay but missed the mark a little. Too sour. Almost tasted a little bad. (My wife disagrees. She doesn't think it was too sour.) But overall, a top notch dessert. Berries come on the side. THREE berries, to be exact.
We finished off the night with some cappuccinos which were expertly made by Andrew who told us he had learned to make cappuccinos in Italy. Well, they tasted good to us.
Overall, a top notch meal with a top notch price to match (approx $200 with tip). Definitely worth it for a special occasion.
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Another dinner while in Cambridge last week for a conference . . .
Chef Gabriel Bremer of Salts (http://www.saltsrestau... - 798 Main St., Cambridge) was named one of the "Best New Chefs" for 2007 by Food and Wine magazine in their July issue, so -- of course - we had to go! It's in an unassuming location, and it's just possible one might miss the place if driving past . . . that and the perennial lack of parking makes a taxi the best way of getting there, short of walking.
Once inside, the small, intimate restaurant is warm and inviting, friendly and comfortable.
We began our meal with a half-bottle of Champagne Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Rose, Premier Cru, and moved into an assortment of appetizers including:
-- White Gazpacho with Macadamia nut yogurt "truffles', sherry gelee, orange powder, and summer blossoms (almond-based and a wonderful surprise);
-- Tartar of Hawaiian Tuna with Granny Smith apple, petit celery, and a hazelnut remoulade (fresh, flavorful and delicious);
-- Local Wellfleet Clams with Serrano ham, mint, and English peas with their blossoms (perfectly done, tender and sweet); and,
-- Navarin of Vermont Rabbit with petite garden carrots, turnips, and Morel mushrooms (rich yet elegant, and very flavorful).
For our entres, we moved on to a bottle of 2004 Alvaro Palcios Priorat "Les Terrasses,"
and enjoyed the
-- St.-Canut Farms Porcelet prepared three ways (simply outstanding);
-- Day boat Striped Bass with Mousseron mushrooms, Serrano ham, cauliflower, and pine nut confit (perfectly cooked, wonderful); and,
-- Pan roasted boneless Duck for two with roasted farm leeks, peaches, and petit root vegetables glace (a "signature dish," and waaaaayyyyy too much for two people - but outstanding, moist, succulent).
Moving on to dessert, we split orders of
-- "Torchon de Chocolat" with espresso milk chocolate sabayon and coffee cardamom ice cream;
-- Selection of ice creams and sorbets (Lynn chose two scoops of the fleur de sel with caramel and one of vanilla, from an offering of three ice creams and three sorbets) with almond Financiers.
This is a restaurant that we absolutely adored, and look forward to returning to when next we go to the Boston/Cambridge area.
Jason
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The food was very good. but for what you got, the location and the portions, it was exceedingly overpriced. I got the veggie option, which is a usual and for $28, i was left hungry, this was especially true because of the $14 beet salad i had that contained one beet.
I'm all for portion control, but the ingredients need to be satiating as well as exquisite.
Would not go back, there are plenty of restos in the city worth going to at those prices.
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A truly inspirational dining experience! This tiny restaurant is absolutely loaded with charm. Co-owner and hostess Analia goes out of her way to make you feel welcome, and once ran down the street after me and my husband (then fiance) with a cardigan I had left behind. The dining area is quite small but well decorated and lends a feeling of real intimacy. Service is attentive but unobtrusive; on occasion it has been a tad slow.
The meals I have had at Salts have been memorable. Creative yet classic, fresh and inspired ingredients, a real flair for fish and, so I hear, an exquisite duck for two. The menu leans towards French haute cuisine with a dash of a new American bistro. The wine list is impressive but, like the food, pricey. If you save room for dessert, it will be delectable.
The cheese selection is "comme il faut" but be advised, they informed me the usually only serve cheese in the colder months. But, I was told, please call ahead if you like, and we will order a selection for you! Now that's how intimate, refined dining should be!
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I had heard of many great reviews (both televised and in print) so I was really looking forward to my experience. I kept hearing about the duck for two that was supposedly out of this world! What the reality was: $60+ for a small duck and vegetables, which felt like a trumped up roast-turkey and veggies meal. I wasn't particularly impressed, unfortunately. The small vegetables (like mini-carrots with the green stalklets) are cute, but un-memorable. Coupled with the bland Nebbiolo (at least 50/bottle), comme ci comme ca appetizer (i'm racking my brain to remember.. i think a crab cake-like feel)-- it added up to a fairly bland experience. The service is excellent-- I felt for the waiter who actually carved and served the small bird... They did give a complimentary dessert (ice cream) which was quite nice....
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I called on the Saturday before Mother's Day to see if I could get a last minute reservation for that night. Since they only have one hostess, she knew everything about every reservation coming in that night and was able to get us in at 7pm. The food was spectacular. We started with a white asparagus and jamon serrano appetizer that was to die for. Also, we were given a complimentary soup from the chef that was an extremely kind gesture and was also very tasty. As for the food, it was out of this world. I had the chicken dish with black truffle mushrooms and spring vegetables. While it didn't look like a lot of food, it was very filing and very good. My friend and boyfriend had the sirloin and it was cooked perfectly. I had a piece and it was also great. The service was spectacular. The waiter had a great recommendation for a wine and he paid a lot of attention to our table. It's easy to fill up on the hot rolls, but be sure to save your appetite. It was expensive, but we went there with the knowledge of the prices and it was worth every penny! I think Salts is Cambridge's best kept secret.
Uhhhhh....U-HAUL!! What a great location for a high-end restaurant, near a seedy UHaul garage. Ok, the restaurant itself: overpriced and underwhelming. When the entrees are in the $30 range, I expect something special. The food was pretty, but not exciting; it was kind of bland. As an example, I had the kampachi appetizer ($12), which consisted of 5 or 6 tiny slices of the aforementioned fish sprinkled with some microherbs, a tiny bit of blood orange and several "droplets" of the citrusy dressing. It didn't have much taste and was ridiculously small for the price. Best part of the meal: the little hot "balls" of homemade bread that kept coming. We also enjoyed a nice 1/2 bottle of champagne ($30).
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Wow, the food here was absolutely amazing. We came with a party of 5 and though this place is very small, it was very accommodating for our party. The service was excellent. They were very informative with our questions and gave great suggestions. Never once was there an empty glass.. very attentive. The duck!! ohh the duck and foi grois!! Delicious. The price is a bit steep, but once in a while splurge is worth their mouth watering delicacies
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The best "artesian" food I've had in a long time!
The price tag is a bit intimidating, but if you are going to throw down for a high end meal this is fully worth the dosh. Not only is the food delicious, and elegant, but the atmosphere and service are impeccable. For a special occasion, like an anniversary, the romantic, quiet interior is perfect. We went with another couple, to get to know a new girlfriend of a good friend, and it was just the right way to introduce ourselves.
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How ironic that one of the best restaurants in Cambridge (Salts) should be so close to perhaps the worst (the eponymous Pu Pu Hot Pot). However unassuming the location, once through the tiny entrance, you enter a small world of outstandingly prepared dishes that are genuinely seasonal in nature. Over the years, I have enjoyed plum-stuffed pheasant on sub-zero nights, delicately sauteed fiddleheads served with boudoin on a wet spring day and a tasting of heirloom tomatoes in the midst of a raging august heatwave. The respect for produce (particularly in some outstanding vegetarian entrees) and consistent quality, combined with a French-oriented wine list and some excellent cheese selections puts Salts well towards the top of its class
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Went there with a group of 10 people and I have to say, the service blew me away, very reminiscent of SF's Gary Danko. And like Gary Danko, I will remember the restaurant more for the servers' patience and attentiveness rather than the food. We arrived at 10pm and unlike most restaurants that agree to seat you late but pay you back with crap service, these guys were professionals the whole way, with the entire staff waiting in the kitchen as our group enjoyed the meal at hand. They were even nice enough to offer dessert menus at the end- at close to midnight on a weeknight, who does that! I'm not knocking the food- we shared three whole ducks among us with a few other entrees but the duck blew everything else out of the park- it felt like Thanksgiving dinner, with generous portions of stuffing, blood sausage and vegetables. It was duck heaven! Highly recommend as a a place to take a date you've been meaning to impress (given it's hidden away location next to Uhaul) or when your parents are in town and you want a nice meal on them:)
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The food is exceptionally well prepared. We opted for the 5 course chef's menu which featuerd a nice balance between meat and seafood, as well as different twists on food -- an amuse bouche of a mini tagine of couscous with lamb contrasted nicely with the Asian-style hamachi appetizer and the classic French preparation of the chicken ballotine. It really showcased how talented the chef was. The cozy atmosphere was warm and inviting and the service was stellar -- not hovering, but friendly and attentive. All in all, a superb (but very pricey) experience. I'm really looking forward to coming back someday and trying the signature duck entree.
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very high end, intimate dining experience. the interiors is small and very romantic...perfect for a date "just because" [i think that was my favorite part of this special weeknight].
the soup was compliments of the chef...we wish we knew what we were eating -- it was so exquisite! the wine was a bit young, but very tasty and fitting for the stuffed roasted duck for two which we ordered. the vegetables were apparently grown on the farm that is also owned by the current owners of the restaurant.
the service was extremely attentive, very friendly and down-to-earth. if you get the opportunity the experience this epicuriean jewel, note the wonderful black and white photo on your way to the restrooms. this place is truly all about you...
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A definite fine dining locale with a wonderful ambience.
The appetizers all sounded very delicious. We went with the Tartar of Hawaiian Tuna, which was a real winner.
In terms of entrees, for those who are conservative, Salts offers an assortment of King Salmon, free range Chicken and beef Tenderloin. For those with a more adventurous palate, you can try dishes such as St-Canut Farms Porcelet (minced pork) or Columbia river Sturgeon (a type of fish) and so on.
We chose the latter two dishes. The Sturgeon had a nondescript texture and a sort of muddy flavor. The Porcelet had an Asian flare and very delicious.
For dessert, we had this passion fruit cake with mango ice-cream and coconut cake with ice-cream/tapioca. I was thoroughly pleased. The presentation of the dessert was also exceptional. Just watch how they make ice-cream into pairs of almond-shaped globs (for lack of a better word). I was thoroughly amused.
I would have gone with a higher rating though I was disappointed with the fish dish. They are known for their duck, so next time I might have to go with that instead and rate the restaurant again.
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