Please pass the salt
Oct 11, 2013, 4:36 PM | Updated: 4:44 pm
If you’re the type that is always reaching for the salt shaker, you probably have an inner salt connoisseur just yearning to come out.
You may throw Morton’s on everything, but inside, you’re thinking, “I know there’s more to the salt game.”
Well, rejoice, because Chef Stephen Eldridge of Gertrude’s at Desert Botanical Garden has put together a “Salt Smitten” six-course dinner with Aaron Eckburg, the founder of local salt company GoLbSalt.
The dinner is Thursday, Oct. 24 and costs only $65 per person (plus tax and gratuity).
Check out this menu!
1st Course:
60-Day Dry Aged Beef Tartar + Pickled Mushroom + Sunny Side Up Quail Egg + Sea Salt & Herbed Lavosh
Using: Mediterranean Sea Salt
2nd Course:
Local Onion + Beef Broth + Day Old Bread + Tarragon & Thyme + Gruyere
Using: Sel Gris de Guérande + Fumée de Sel
3rd Course:
House Cured Guanciale + Goat’s Milk Ricotta + Preserved Tomato + Egg Yolk
Using: Apple Wood Smoked Salt + Sel Gris de Guérande + Hawaiian Red Sea Salt
4th Course:
Cured & Smoked Tuna + Olive + Rutabaga + Duck Egg + Tomato Gelée + Parsley
Using: Hawaiian Black Sea Salt
5th Course:
Confit of Wild Boar + Root Vegetable Hash + Blood Orange Chutney + Natural Jus
Using: Mesquite Smoked Sea Salt, Sel Gris de Guérande
6th Course:
From Chef Marisa of Gertrude’s: Marcona Almond “S’more” Macaron + Salted Caramel + Bourbon & Cardamom Egg Nog
From Chef Rachel of Pistol Whipped Pastry: Pistachio and Preserved Citrus Marmalade Frangipane Tart + Roasted Honey Comb & Bourbon Ice Cream + Cardamom Tuile
Using: Fumée de Sel de Guérande + Mediterranean Sea Salt + Sel Gris de Guérande + Mesquite Smoked Salt
You can pair cocktails that focus on hand-crafted bourbons and ryes from High West Distillery for an extra $25.
Eldridge and his team have found great success with craft beer pairing dinners over at Gertrude’s, so they’re trying for something a little different. Diners are encouraged to use the hashtag #SaltSmitten on any social media during the event, and keep tabs on that tag in the days leading up for sneak previews. Want to hear Eldridge and Eckburg chat about the upcoming dinner? Check out the latest episode of the Restaurant Live podcast here.
Reservations required at 480-719-8600.
Gertrude’s, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix, AZ 85008