Sea Salt - Berkeley

My waitress did clear my plate a bit earlier than expected, but it wasn't a major concern. Now, onto the food: it was quite good. One of my friends ordered the Clam Chowder with bacon, which I thought was a hearty (if not the healthiest) combination. I particularly enjoyed the anchovies in the Caesar salad; they weren't overly salty and reminded me of a delicate ceviche. I also tried the pasta shells, which I typically love. Here, they were decent, but I felt that the blend of flavors—especially with the lemongrass—didn't quite hit the mark for me. A friend ordered the salmon served with potato fingers, which I found to be an unusual choice, and it turned out to be rather unremarkable. Another friend had a grilled eel sandwich, which was basically a sandwich with unagi. I enjoy unagi, and while the sandwich was tasty, it had the feel of something you could whip up at home in no time. The halibut was tender but lacked depth in flavor; perhaps a more robust sauce would have enhanced it. I opted for the duck dish, which I thought was the standout. The duck itself was excellent, but the accompanying sides didn't add much to the overall experience. If we had spent about $10-15 less per person, I would have thought this place was fantastic. As it stands, while it’s good, there are better meal options available for the same price (like Lure in San Mateo, for example). On a positive note, Sea Salt seems to offer good lunch deals, so their prices might be more reasonable then.

I particularly enjoyed that the small plates were substantial enough for a full meal rather than just a sampling. The Clam Chowder with bacon and the chicory salad were delicious!

The seafood here is exceptional! It's a perfect spot for a special meal. I really enjoy sitting near the kitchen to watch the chefs at work.