Sea Salt

After college, Tony had a roommate named Jon Blood. Jon worked at Coastal Seafood and routinely brought home fresh fish for home-made sushi. I wish I had Jon Blood for a roommate. And so will you, once you visit his seasonal restaurant Sea Salt at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis.

When I say "seasonal," I don't mean that as a buzz word for the latest farm-to-table/locavore way. I mean they are only open for one season, and that season is now. Jon brings his expertise and love for all things ocean to Sea Salt's causal yet impeccable menu. It changes daily, of course, but you can almost always count on a selection of fish tacos, oysters on the half shell, and crab cake sandwiches.

On our recent visit, the park was also holding a Swedish festival, so it was particularly busy. Add to that the fact that we have gotten about 4 1/2 hours of decent weather so far this summer, and you're looking at a hefty wait. Getting a table in the cute patio directly in front of the restaurant involves a lot of stalking and glaring at customers with empty plates in front of them. There is actually quite a bit of seating, if you don't mind taking your $13 dish to a picnic table, which to tell the truth, I do mind.

We lucked out Sunday and managed to land a table, before the previous occupants had a chance to grab their purses, so we were able to enjoy our food in relative comfort.

I am a big fan of fish tacos so I chose the grilled tilapia tacos. Served simply in doubled up corn tortillas (you'll need both, it's messy) with raw onions, cilantro and a flavorful, if not spicy, salsa, these tacos were exactly what I had hoped they would be. The fish was delicate and full of flavor, allowed to shine with out too many additions. Along with a Cripin Honey (my new love) it was the perfect light summer meal.

Tony opted for the Fried Shrimp Po' Boy, which was fantastic. The cornmeal coating on the shrimp was crunchy and dry, not the oily mess it can sometimes be. The shrimp had no seasoning on them, which again allowed them to be their true shrimpy selves. It was a big serving, and a better value than my tacos, but both of us were more than content with our meals. Add to that the waterfalls crashing just feet away, and it's a lovely way to spend a summer evening.

Tilapia Tacos. 

Shrimp Po' Boy.

Millie's Oyster Cracker Sandwich. Hey, at least it sounded like sea food.  

Millie even got to meet some Swedish princesses. Awesome!

Sea Salt Web Site

NYC

Here is just a small taste of my visit to New York a couple of weeks ago.

The trip began with a nod to all things round and doughy, since I apparently missed National Doughnut Day the day before (how could I?!)

At an adorable coffee shop in Fort Green, Brooklyn, called Tillie (yes, I bought the t-shirt), I had my first Bialy. According the Wikipedia, a bialy is a Yiddish word short for bialystoker kuchen from Bialystok, a city in Poland. It is a small roll that is a traditional dish in Polish Ashkenazi cuisine. A traditional bialy is a chewy yeast roll similar to a bagel. In other words, I'm a pathetic excuse for a Jew, and a Polish Ashkenazi one at that, for never having heard of a bialy before. But I am officially hooked, these things were wonderful. Chewy, soft, crunchy all at once. With a dab of butter and cream cheese, along side a cafe au lait, a bialy is truly the only way to start a Brooklyn morning.

At the flea market down the block, I couldn't resist a giant blood orange doughnut from one of the many enticing food vendors. Anna was concerned I may be too full at our next stop, the Doughnut Plant in the city. Oh ye of little faith. 

See? No problem. At the famous Doughnut Plant, I easily put away this lovely sample of dough heaven, glazed with mango. Doughnut Plant has two locations in Manhattan and are well worth waiting in line in cramped quarters. Trust me on this, I know don't know much, but I know doughnuts. 

Anna swore this oatmeal doughnut was the best doughnut she has ever tasted. Ever. 

On to something a bit healthier. Taim, in the West Village, is highly rated on Zagat, and rightfully so. It's small and a little intimidating (think soup Nazi only with falafel), but here you will get the freshest, most flavorful hummus or falafel sandwich I have had in the U.S. 

At Graziella in Fort Green. 

The pizzas at Graziella were lovely. Although we are spoiled here in the Twin Cities with great Neapolitan pizza joints like Pizza Nea and Black Sheep, it was high on my to-do list to have pizza in NY, and I am glad I had it at Graziella. 

For dessert, we opted to try iCi's down the street. And wanting to be thorough, we ordered three desserts to share. By far, the S'mores pie thingie was the best. Crunchy and gooey and not too sweet, it was so good that Anna and Kevin went back for more after I left town. 

There was more, oh so much more, as the scale will attest. But I took pretty sad pictures of our fabulous sundae at General Green and my lovely pasta at Olea, so this is all I will share for now. I hope to go back in September, and I most of all I look forward to Anna's Kona blend coffee made fresh in their beautiful kitchen every morning.