TheTripChick's Reviews

New Favorite Friday Night Spot!

The Hi Life had a line out the door, so we headed out in search of a good Friday night alternative in Ballard. We landed at La Isla, and after seeing a sea of mojitos on almost every table, we ordered one. I am most definitely not a mojito connoisseur (I think I've had two previously in my lifetime), but this one was goooooood. A bit tart, not sweet, it cut through the weekday haze and ushered us into the weekend like that's what it was born to do.

We had plans after dinner, so decided to cut to the chase and order entrees only - no appetizers. I was drooling over the Empanadas Pernil, but perhaps next time...as there WILL be a next time (probably several of them). The Salmon a la Parrilla (grilled salmon seasoned in a lemon, oil and garlic marinade with grilled onions) sounded good to all of us, so the server had an easy time with three of the same entree. I ordered mine without grilled onions, and we all had a side salad in place of the rice and beans. The service was relaxed but good, and the food delivery time was about the same.

When our plates arrived, we each basked in the delicate salmony glow before being accosted by the most delicious scent - fresh garlic, and lots of it! A small side of mojito sauce that accompanied the tostones was the culprit; it had to be about 90% fresh chopped garlic with a little oil, lime juice and seasonings to create a cohesive sauce. Oh my, my mouth was watering.

The salmon was a good-sized steak, you won't leave La Isla feeling hungry. It arrived with four fried tostones (plantain) and a good-sized green salad finished with a light, tangy vinaigrette. While the salmon was perfectly seasoned and cooked, I found myself dipping it into the mojito sauce simply because the mojito sauce was so sublimely garlicky. Heck, I think I tried dipping everything on my plate into the mojito sauce.

A word of warning, the mojito sauce is so chock full of garlicky goodness, be prepared to breathe garlic fire for the rest of the evening, the next day, and possibly the day after that (at that point, it'll be oozing out your pores). But, it is sooooooooo worth it.

We were wonderfully sated by the time our entree plates were cleared and so there was no room left for dessert. However, one dessert caught my eye and is on my "to try" list the next time I am at La Isla...Guayabitas Vivian, a warm torte with sweet guava filling and a cream cheese top, served with old fashioned vanilla ice cream and sprinkled with cinnamon. Mmmmmmm, can next Friday come soon enough???

Reviewed on: September 06, 2008