After a 10-day fruit and vegetable diet, which heralded the shedding of 5 kilos, we headed for Casa SaltShaker for supper last Friday.
Casa SaltShaker is a closed-door restaurant (we presume that it is where the hosts actually live) where Dan and his partner Henry entertain small groups of 10 guests for supper.
Advertised as fancy home cooking, you will not be disappointed, unless of course the style of food served on the night you book does not suit your taste! I hold up my hands here! Read Dan’s information carefully (not like me) as he does make a point of advance posting menus to his website one month. In addition, the reservation confirmation points out that you should check the menu to see if it meets your expectations and alert the kitchen if you have allergies.
I am busy, it was a restaurant reservation – how much trouble can you get into – READ!
The Casa is unpretentious and both Dan and Henry are good hosts who provide first-class service.
It is a very personal and get up close affair, so close and personal, when writing this review, I ‘kinda’ felt in some strange way I should be ‘writing to Dan’.
If you are not keen about the company of strangers over dinner for a good few hours without escape, then this is not a venue for you.
The order of proceedings: A welcome cocktail shot on arrival – too small I fear – particularly when other guests are late or in the case of some Brazilians who booked with Casa SaltShaker they just failed to show; a five course tasting menu, with a glass of wine chosen to accompany each dish (wine optional); followed by coffee and what looks like a wonderful gift box that is no present at all, but the bill!
If you do not want the wine that accompanies the tasting menu, you can opt for water or a pre-arranged tipple, if just having a glass of wine or beer or water your bill is $100 ARG.
Go for the tasting menu and wine at $150 ARG it is worth it.
Whilst our welcomes drinks were a disappointment, in Dan’s defense, I am sure his idea is to choose food and wine over five courses that leave you full and warmed by the wine – thus allowing you to share a large table with the other guests, enjoy the company, make friends and avoid drunks that might spoil the occasion. My critique of the measures is a little, just a little, tongue in cheek.
It seems from Dan’s website http://www.casasaltshaker.com that the menu changes week-to-week and he told us the theme is always historical, Dan obviously both a cook and history buff.
My heart sank when Dan explained, ‘the theme is “Cal-Mex” in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Joshua Norton declaring himself the first Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. I am not a fan of Mexican food.
Dan changed my mind somewhat. My own appreciation of some of the courses served and appreciations from all the dinner guests made me feel sure that all the courses were good; even if my own tastes/dislikes, particularly of beans and rice, possibly worked against me saying things like fabulous or fantastic – I will return though – after checking the menus.
I enjoyed Dan’s choices of wine. He served one my favorite rose’s from the Malbec grape and one of the few Argentine desert wines actually I enjoy.
My last point – do not be shy like the guests at my gathering. Want more than one cocktail shot, water, beer or a drop more wine – just ask – I think that a guest (who is obviously a SaltShaker regular) mentioned his dryness more than once, and received a very sweet but knowing smile (no wine) from Henry, and that just might have made me feel otherwise!
Price guide: Middling to high
Check out the menu and wine list 18 September 2009 at http://www.casasaltshaker.com/past.htm
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