I had my second ever go at the Chef’s Tasting Menu at 202 Market on Friday night. Chef Chad Scott had just changed all five menu items and we were the first to give it a try. This time my son, Cody who’s ten, was also along for the culinary experience. I have to say I was incredibly pleased with the new offerings. Every dish was wonderful, and the Tasting Menu now lists the wines available with each course should you choose the optional wine pairing.
Our dinner started with a complimentary amuse-bouche, or “mouth amusement.” Our one bite teaser was referred to as green eggs and ham - a tiny bit of egg with a green pesto sauce and a slice of ham delicately arranged on a saucer. Cody loved it! We all did in fact, but Cody refused to drink any tea after this sampling for fear of losing the delicious flavor still lingering in his mouth.
The first course of the tasting was the Hamachi Tartare with summer melon and wasabi granita. It was very good. My first experience with tartare was 202’s Tuna Tartare during my first tasting experience and I fell in love with it. Normally not a fan of fish, this is one dish I would go back for even if it isn’t technically cooked. (It took me a while to get over that little detail.) Right now you’ll find the Big Eye Tuna Tartare & Crudo on 202 Market’s menu under the starters. As for the Hamachi Tartare, you’ll have to go with tasting menu to give it a try. However, if you like to cook, you also have the option trying these recipes for Tuna Tartare and Hamachi Tartare.
The second course was a Seared Scallop with mango, prosciutto, passion fruit, and about ten other compatible flavors. This dish was just amazing. I ate the scallop with a slice of mango and prosciutto smeared in the different sauces that artfully splattered the plate. Cody and I’s favorite sauce was the banana, while Adam - my husband - preferred the other offerings which included pesto, ketchup and passion fruit. Normally, I am not a big fan of scallops, but I ate this one with gusto. It’s no wonder 202 Market is now touting they have the best scallops in Roanoke.
The third course was Bacon and Eggs - sous vide egg with parmigian cheese biscuit, smoked bacon, and truffle suds. The egg, which is basically very slowly poached using a vacuum-bag technique, comes whole so it almost looks like a hard boiled egg, but with a much different texture. While this dish was also a tasty addition to the meal, it was probably my least favorite, but mostly because I just don’t like egg yolk.
Beef was next on the menu. Delicious and oh so tender it was served with smoked yukon gold potatoes and nicoise vegetables. Everything about this dish was incredible, and despite the beef being cooked medium - I’m generally a well done kind of girl - I had no complaints about this dish that I’d describe as nothing less than perfect.
Last, but surely not least, was dessert which consisted of Tahitian Vanilla Panna Cotta, blackberry caramel, and progressive flavors and textures. Basically Adam and I were served a mini coffee flavored milkshake with a vanilla liquor - Cody had to skip out on this part of the dish - and a plate of panna cotta with chocolate, caramel, and other yummy flavors perfect for pleasing your sweet tooth.
In the end I was not at all disappointed with this tasting, and I highly recommend you give the Chef’s Tasting Menu a try for yourself. Even Cody loved it. So much in fact he let the Chef know that he was even better than Top Chef - he and Adam often watch this show together - and the Chef in return let Cody know how cool he thought he was for actually giving the tasting menu a go rather than insisting on a fast food cheeseburger. The Tasting Menu, by the way, is $58 a person for parties of two or more, entire tables only. You can tack on the wine pairing for an additional $22.
In addition to the new Tasting Menu, 202 Market has made several other changes as well. Every Sunday night at 8pm you can listen to live jazz by local musician Cyrus Pace. He’s very talented and always pleasing to hear. Cyrus, who is also the brother of 202 Market’s assistant manager James, is also the new sound manager for the restaurant.
Furthermore, the stage wall at 202 now boasts fun facts about the current staff before the band takes the stage so you can learn all about who’s who with fun facts. For example, server Alyssa is an avid gamer and a huge fan of Mario Kart, while the General Manager used to know Elvis. Also, 202 Market is now offering 202 Market Trivia every Tuesday night starting at 9pm.
If you’ve been downtown recently you may have also noticed the new tables outside of 202 Market for outdoor dining. I’m also told that lunch will be the new thing beginning in August. Something along the lines of ten offerings for ten dollars in ten minutes. I can’t wait to try lunch there, though I’m also keen on trying the Mushroom Tempura that recently made its way onto their menu.
Should you need any more reason to visit 202, just last week the Roanoke Times gave this fine dining establishment a 5-star review - the highest praise they offer.
To learn more about Chef Chad Scott, be sure to pick up a free copy of this month’s issue of Bella Magazine. Downtown you can easily find an issue in both Good Things on the Market and Little Dipper.
Digg It.
Finally, we finished off the dinner with a Creamsicle-Ginger Float. It was both fun to eat and delicious.
