I guess I should start by saying none of these pictures do the food at Talde justice. At all. For the first time in what feels like forever I was just too excited to eat such beautiful food. Taking pictures was definitely an afterthought. That being said, let's dive right in...
PRETZEL DUMPLINGS
Choosing just one appetizer off of Talde's one-page menu was never going to happen. Thankfully, my friend Marissa was down to order a feast with me. To start, I opted for the Pretzel Pork & Chive Dumplings, which came about from Dale's time on Top Chef. Although they were good, I was hoping for steamed dumplings instead. For some reason I imagined the pretzel as a filler with the pork and chives rather than the actual wrapper. The filling, however, was so flavorful and delicious. The chives added a nice crunch, while the pork was succulent and extra salty thanks to the pretzels.
When Marissa told me the Kale Salad was one of her favorite things on the menu, I tried not to balk. I love kale, but I hate salads. I promised her I'd try a bite or two, but I didn't think I'd enjoy it much. Thankfully, I was so wrong. The tempura flakes scattered in with the crisp kale made for a textured bite that was anything but boring. Throw in some apples and squash, and you've got yourself a bright mix that had even this salad hater going back for seconds.
When Marissa told me the Kale Salad was one of her favorite things on the menu, I tried not to balk. I love kale, but I hate salads. I promised her I'd try a bite or two, but I didn't think I'd enjoy it much. Thankfully, I was so wrong. The tempura flakes scattered in with the crisp kale made for a textured bite that was anything but boring. Throw in some apples and squash, and you've got yourself a bright mix that had even this salad hater going back for seconds.
LONG ISLAND FLUKE
The entrees offered at Talde are a nice mix of fish, chicken and hearty meat. I've recently become obsessed with fava beans, so the Long Island Fluke with fava, cilantro and brown butter seemed an appropriate choice. I still have dreams about this dish. I even tried to recreate it at home to no avail. The fluke was flaky and moist, with a richness from the brown butter like nothing I've ever had before. I mixed it with a side of Shrimp Fried Rice that was a fresh, elevated spin on the classic take-out staple. Dare I say it, but the fried rice actually tasted almost healthy.
WHOLE MARKET FISH
Marissa ordered the Whole Market Fish with a smattering of tumeric-tomato in banana leaves. It was such a fun dish to share and customize with tortillas on the side. A dab of fish, a spoonful of rice and some greens make a pretty tasty match-up.
RSS Feed
