Something like Select Oyster Bar's Black Mission Fig Tartinettes with Smoked Rhode Island Bluefish qualifies for one of our "Best Bite" posts when we have to work at not ordering it every time we visit the restaurant. Or, when we order it anyway after we promised ourselves we'd skip it this time and try other things on the menu.
The first time we tasted this menu item, Chef Michael Serpa brought a sample over for us to try. Since Penny can't have mayo, he explained that the bluefish was mixed with crème fraîche. The menu listing also mentions verjus and chives.
It not only became a frequent order from our seats at the bar, but also a fun photo subject.
While you may be tempted to dive right in for your first big bite, relax and enjoy the beauty of the colors and textures first. This is one good thing about taking food photos. It makes you think about the look of the dish and notice the work that the kitchen staff has put into presenting your food.
Not only will this be something we'll keep ordering for ourselves, but it also will be one of the shared items we'll make sure the table has when friends return from summer places and join us at this lovely addition to the Back Bay restaurant scene.
Since the menu at Select changes frequently, we did check with chef to be certain this dish would be around for a while. It will be. But with his creativity, it could have a bit of a change or twist here and there. We recommend you stop by for lunch one day soon and give this version your own taste test.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2015 Penny Cherubino
