Selva Grill Return

Triologia
Mirin Roasted Sea Bass
Skirt Steak over Sweet Plantains, beet relish, chimichurri
Tres Leches Cake

Our Protagonist looked forward to his Selva Grill repeat; a not all-too-common experience, sadly.  Not wanting to completely diverge from his pleasant experience previously, he requested another round of the Triologia Ceviche, with one exception; since only the white fish came with the wonderful aji amarillo, he swapped out the portion of tuna in ginger and got a double portion of white fish and then the single of the Maya Shrimp.  The white fish ceviche is so good they really should offer it by itself on the menu, which is a remarkable statement coming from someone who isn't exactly an aficionado of white fish.  So the Triologia was more like a Duologia, but one can't go wrong with this sampler.  Here's hoping the management will explore other sampling pairs and trios in the future...

On to the entrees; in honor of his mother, Our Protagonist opted for her go-to dish, the Sea Bass (which also held the seafood theme).  The main attraction, though was that corn custard flan accompaniment as well as the bok choy and a desire to see where the chef would go with his black bean sauce.  It was all remembered fondly; it only ended too quickly with the good company that was shared, but that is hardly the fault of the restaurant.  Speaking of the company, his dining companion went with the Skirt Steak again, which is interesting in that this was a different, not to mention far more attractive partner than last time, which would be fully acknowledged by the previous dining companion.  Or at least should be.  At any rate the Skirt Steak worked its magic similarly, and a plantain was stolen along the way to savor.  Our Protagonist craves to learn how to make these at home; they come out such a nice red-orange color and taste just perfect in their caramelized softness.

For dessert, they turned to an old classic that IS something our Protagonist makes at home, the Tres Leches cake.  Not unlike Key Lime Pie in terms of ubiquitousness, Tres Leches now finds its way on nearly every Latin restaurant's menu, with differing levels of execution.  [As a sidebar; don't ever order another Key Lime Pie again if you haven't found your absolute to-die-for favorite.  Just get a pint of Ciao Bella Key Lime Graham Gelato, and then you will have discovered that missing slice of heaven.  Don't care for the graham swirl?  Then get a pint of GaGa Key Lime SherBetter; equally valid, just not Key Lime "Pie", exactly.  End sidebar.]  How was this execution, you ask?  Not quite as good as Our Protagonist's version, spiked with rompope, a Mexican eggnog liqueur, but it was close.  That will have to constitute as high praise in this instance, and the Gentle Reader will have to accept it as such.  As a passing note, Our Protagonist did miss the extent of the "art" to which the plates had been painted with their sauces, previously.  This, sadly, seems to have been toned down a bit, but really was one of the experiential joys of Selva Grill.  I hope the management will not leave this aspect behind, because the smells and tastes really deserve the beauty that was put into the presentation, previously; it really does all go together.  Otherwise, Olé, Selva!

Selva Grill
1345 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-362-4427