Jared Gleaton
Google
Perle Mesta convey's an elegant ambiance, blending traditional French influences with modern approaches.
The table settings are typical for a restaurant of this caliber. However, there are a few critiques of the atmosphere. The tables are placed too close together, making it easy to bump into the chair behind you with a slight move back. Additionally, the couches, while comfortable, are so deep that it can be challenging to get up due to the heavy tables and limited maneuvering space.
Service for the evening was provided by Andy, who did an adequate job.
We also noted that Chef Black was not present, which was surprising given the significance of Perle Mesta as a new restaurant.
Brick-Fried Roasted Bay Scallops with Garlic, Lemon, and Parsley: This dish is presented elegantly on a scallop shell. The scallops are well-cooked and bask in a rich butter sauce. However, the initial bite was overwhelmingly salty due to the coarse grain salt sprinkled on top.
Parmesan and Truffle Fried Okra Crisp with Candied Lamb Belly and Sauce: The okra was cooked to a crisp, with the familiar flavor of truffle oil or truffle dust dominating the initial palate. The texture contrast between the crispy crust and okra was pleasing, and the lamb belly bits added a unique sweet, earthy flavor. The accompanying sauce, which tasted like ranch.
F5 Kobe Beef, Bay Scallops, Black Truffle Smoked Trout Roll Aioli, and Crispy Calamari: The skewer featured intertwining notes of scallop and beef, which were enjoyable. However, the aioli, when added, overpowered the delicate flavors of the beef and scallop.
Spiced Plantain Chips with Ranch Garlic Aioli and Mango Soca Aioli: The plantain chips were cooked well. The ranch garlic aioli had the consistency and taste of typical ranch sauce, while the mango soca aioli was crisp, refreshing, and vibrant. Resembling a salsa, the mango soca aioli was the standout highlight, featuring delightful notes of watermelon balanced with acidity. This sauce could be reinvented as a gazpacho and would be brilliant.
Salad - Cured Bluefin Tuna, Crispy Sunchoke, Romaine Hearts, Ginger, Dehydrated Strawberries, Triple Milk, and Garlic Chips: This salad had a good balance of refreshing romaine hearts and delicate bluefin tuna, which featured a smoky flavor profile with cumin notes. The dehydrated strawberries added an interesting contrast of flavor and texture.
Pizza - Mushroom and Truffles on a Cracker-Thin Crust: This pizza was the highlight of the evening and the only dish that reached the level of "excellent." The firm crust held the toppings masterfully, and each bite burst with delicate flavors of mushroom and truffle, giving way to earthy middle notes and a delicate cracker finish.
Sorghum-Glazed Sea Bass with Crispy Pearl Black Rice and Citrus Beurre Blanc: The sea bass was slightly overcooked and had a watery consistency. Each bite featured strong initial sweet notes of sorghum, dominating the palate before momentarily revealing middle notes of sea bass, followed by end notes of sweetness from the citrus beurre blanc.
Lavender Duck with Black Trumpet Cream: The duck was poorly cooked, with an incredibly soft and gummy fat layer, and was overall medium to medium-well done. The trumpet mushroom tasted like a mushroom casserole rather than highlighting the delicate flavor profile of the trumpet. The demi-glace drizzle had a pleasant rich flavor profile that tried to enhance the dish. The crispy potatoes were soft and featured a dusting of Parmesan. The carrots were overpowered by astringent artificial truffle flavor, masking their delicate taste.
The cake had a commercial chocolate flavor profile, similar to something between Hershey's and Ghirardelli. It was dense with a traditional creamy texture. The strawberry coulis, made in-house, was not a true coulis but more akin to a sorbet with oversized ice chunks.