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Sel de la Terre (lunch)

November 28, 2009 by Jennifer Che 2 Comments

We visited Sel de la Terre in Natick back in June to celebrate a friend’s graduation.  While we thought the food was pretty good for the suburbs, we were not that impressed over all.  However, we had heard that the Boston location was better.  Furthermore, Will Gilson from Garden at the Cellar told me it was one of the places he likes to frequent.

So, since we were doing some Black Friday shopping in the neighborhood, we decided to check it out.  We both were intrigued by the value of the prix fixe, which offered a two-course lunch for only $14.
Sel de la Terre - Prixe fix
Course 1: Tuna tartine on crostini and a mixed green salad
The tuna tartine (i.e. tuna salad) was enjoyable.  The flavors were decent, though nothing particularly exciting.  The mixed green salad, on the other hand, was rather over-salted.  I was a little disappointed.
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Course 2: Duck Confit risotto
The duck confit risotto was pretty good.  There was some sort of wine reduction on the side that gave the risotto a nice deep flavor.  The parsley that decorated the dish also gave a pungent kick to the creamy, cheesy rice dish.  Over all it was solid, and a pretty good value, price-wise.

But you know what was the most enjoyable dish?

Sel de la Terre Rosemary Fries
Along with the truffle fries at Garden at the Cellar and the rosemary fries at Sorrelina, these are amongst the top fries available in Boston, at least in our humble opinion.  Texture-wise, they were almost identical to the ones at Sorellina.  Narrow cut fries that were airy, light and crispy on the outside yet moist and potato-ey on the inside.  Some fries near the top were slightly over-salted, but not too badly.  I still ate most of them! And the ones at the bottom were fine.

Over all, I think it’s still premature for me to gauge this restaurant based on one prix fixe menu and a basket of fries.  So far, I think it’s only OK, but I do think I need to come back and at least try the dinner menu before really giving an over all assessment.

For now, I think the lunch menu is rather reasonable, with all sandwiches under $10 and most main entrees $15-$16.  If I come again, I’ll try something other than the prix fixe just to get an idea of what some of the more expensive meals taste like.  I remember trying the cheapest “Neighborhood Menu” at Craigie Street Bistrot years back and not being wow-ed the first time I went.  It wasn’t until I tried the Chef’s Tasting Menu that I realized how amazing a cook Tony Maws really is.

As a general rule, it’s true.  You get what you pay for.  🙂  Don’t order the budget menu if you want to see a chef at the top of his or her game.

Sel de la Terre
774 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02199
Sel de la Terre on Urbanspoon

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Filed Under: Back Bay, Restaurant, Review Tagged With: French

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Comments

  1. and this blog says

    November 29, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    You know this is the place I always have to stop by when I’m in Boston! Love the Ham and Cheese Croissant!!!! it’s all baked inside, with rosemary sprinkled…. yuuuuuumy goodness =)

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  2. [email protected] says

    November 30, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    I love the one on the waterfront, which happens to be the original SDLT. Their bar is much more cozy, and my husband and I absolutely love their fries and cocktails. Their staff is fantastic as well.

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Welcome to Tiny Urban Kitchen!

JenChe

Hi, my name's Jen and welcome to my cooking, eating, and travel site! I am a Boston to Hong Kong transplant, born and raised in Ohio with parents from Taiwan. Feel free to head on over to the About page if you want to learn more about me, or just explore away, maybe starting with the Recipe Index or one of the travel pages! I hope you enjoy this site!
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