A Chef’s Tasting Pictorial.
There are a lot of foods that are a challenge for me to eat, and certain foods that I simply don’t like or would never consider eating - like foie grois for example. However, 202 Market always brings out the adventurer in me. The chefs there have an amazing talent for making my most feared foods taste good. Here’s a look at the current tasting menu by Chef Chad Scott. This menu was particularly challenging for me because I’m a) not overly fond of fish, b) the thought of eating the liver of anything makes my stomach turn, and c) I have never liked goat cheese.
The goat cheese apple soup was fantastic. I could eat it all day. My husband and I sipped ours out a cute little cup and relished the flavor. Maybe goat cheese isn’t so bad after all. I really dug it in this dish. Adam thinks it’s the texture of the cheese I’m ordinarily not fond of. Melted into soup it’s transformed into something wonderful.
I’ve never been a big fan of fish. I enjoy tuna and will tolerate salmon. However, this BBQ Snapper was wonderful and very steak-like. It came with a bit of smoked bibb lettuce and sorbet. It was fun pulling off the “lid.”
I was a bit apprehensive about the Foie Gras. I shouldn’t have been. While the texture was a bit strange, sort of scrapple like, the flavor was impeccable. I mixed everything on the plate together and delighted in the individual flavors all melding into one.
Next up was the paella. This is the only dish I’ve ever had at 202 that I didn’t like. However, it wasn’t because it wasn’t good. My husband loved it. I am not at all a fan of Mexican food, and the thought of eating a mussel turned my stomach. I mean, it looked like a muscle. I did try it, but it was a no go. However, it is not something I would eat anywhere regardless of who makes it. I just picked out the shrimp and chicken and sausage and a bit of scallop and ate that, leaving the rest.
Well, Mr. Manager wasn’t at all happy with my discontent over the paella. He very happily brought me the Steak Wagu so “I wouldn’t go hungry.” I loved it!
Finally, we finished off the dinner with a Creamsicle-Ginger Float. It was both fun to eat and delicious.
The next time you stop in 202 why not give the Chef’s Tasting a try? You get to sample a little of everything rather than having to choose just one or two items from the menu, and you leave with your stomach full and content!
For dinner reservations please call 540.343.6644 Monday-Sunday beginning at 11am. They’re located at 202 Market Square in downtown Roanoke.
