We hadn’t been back to Rich Table since its heady opening months, pre-Bauer rave and pre-Beard nomination, and we’re happy to report that everything is just as on point, but even more inventive and varied than before. From the amuse of hemp- and seed-topped buttermilk panna cotta that they’ve dubbed “Dirty Hippie”; to the terrific, cheese-free chicken lasagna; to the extraordinary, deceptively simple “creamsicle” dessert, with blood orange granita and similar, sweeter buttermilk panna cotta as the amuse, we were all around delighted and impressed.
The signature sardine chips and the ever changing flatbread (this time it was topped with a clever combination of chicken liver mousse and blanched asparagus) were, as before, great and boldly flavored.
But a dish that stood out for its elegant presentation and idiosyncratic collage of flavors and textures — something that’s a definite signature of chefs Evan and Sarah Rich — was the rainbow trout entrée currently on the menu. The perfectly cooked and seasoned fillet comes topped with a magenta-colored mirepoix of pickled root vegetables, parsnip, and turnip, as well as finely diced potato, with spinach underneath, and it’s paired with an almond milk sauce that’s just rich enough to elevate and balance the dish without overwhelming it. It’s garnished with bright green miners lettuce leaves and other greens, giving the whole presentation a springy, rainbow quality that plays off the name and shiny skin of the fish.
Earlier on Actually Pretty Awesome:
Crispy Chicken and Yuca Fries at Pica Pica Castro
Dungeness Crab Soup at Canteen
The Trick Dog at Trick Dog
The Fried Chicken Sandwich at Hi Tops
The Dungeness Crab Salad at Haven
Chicken Drums at Rickybobby
The Doc Hopper at Absinthe
The Burger at KronnerBurger
Bang Bang Chicken Wings at M.Y. China
’Fruit Loops’ at Chambers Eat + Drink
Smoked Pulled Goat at Southpaw
Manti Dumplings at Troya Fillmore
Flaming Sea Bass Roll at Elephant Sushi
Black Risotto With Uni and Egg at Prospect
Seared Salmon and Mussel Mashed Potatoes at Bisou
The Meatloaf at Jamber
Carrots at Commonwealth
Turducken at Honor Bar
Beggar’s Chicken at Betelnut
Lobster Bread Pudding and Smoked Cod at Maverick
Green Farro-Sausage Risotto at RN74
Vegan Charctuerie at Gather
Pickled Eggs at St. Vincent
Beef Tongue at Namu Gaji
Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken at Brasa
Green Garlic Bread at State Bird Provisions
A Dinner of Small Plates and the Duck Confit Salad at Frances
Duck Fat Chex Mix at Truck Stop Café
The Lamb Tongue Salad at Txoko
The Branzino and the Cucumber and Scallops at AQ
Dinner at Local Mission Eatery
Suckling Pig Sandwich at Sweet Woodruff
Crudités at Saison
The Roasted Broccoli Sandwich at Split Pea Seduction
The Buffalo Burger at Double Decker
Alicia’s Tamales Los Mayas
The Cocktails at Outerlands
The Meatball Gigante and the Honey Pie at Tony’s Pizza
Three New Gins from St. George Spirits
The Fried-Chicken Sliders at The Lookout
The Tripe and the Pickles at Bar Tartine
Fried Chicken and Cornmeal Doughnuts at Beast & the Hare
