Last week I had the pleasure of dining at SEABLUE at The Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.  (There is another SEABLUE located at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV).  SEABLUE is one of the many Michael Mina / Mina Group, Inc. restaurants.  It was, of course, a lovely experience.

I started my meal with a glass of Manifesto! Sauvingnon Blanc ($10) which was vibrant and fruity as described in the wine list and complemented my meal very well.  As an appetizer, I ordered the “Fritto Misto” ($12) which was served whimsically in a parchment cone and included fried shrimp, calamar, smelt filets, thin lemon slices,  caperberries, and broccoli rabe.  I enjoyed its variety and full flavors, but wished the frying batter or technique was just a bit lighter (don’t get me wrong, fried is fried so I knew what I would be getting!).  For my entree, I selected the “Wood Grilled Loch Duart Salmon” ($32) and was blown away by the quality and uniqueness of this fish.  The fillet was cooked to perfection and the “seasoning” of the wood grill smoke was fantastic.  The spotlight was on the fish itself and the fish shined (which is just how I think it should be in a seafood restaurant).  For my dessert, I selected the “Torta Philadelphia” ($8) – a fun name for cheesecake.  I am not usually wooed by cheesecake in general, and particularly not at the end of a meal, but I WAS wooed by its Cardinal Mendoza caramel sauce, as Cardinal Mendoza is by far, one of my favorite brandy selections.  The interplay of the brandy and the caramel sauce combined with the lightness and perfect portion size of the cakes made for a delightful end to my dining experience.

Dessert Course “Torta Philadelphia” (in foreground)                                   Photo courtesy FoodByJenn