I've been there a few times and it has always been great - going back next Sunday for Anniversary dinner.

I had the tasting menu once and it was a lot of seafood. I'd stick with ala carte.

The PB Chocolate cake alone was worth the trip

Wow, I've been there twice and have been totally impressed. I ordered the special both times and it blew me away. Not sure about the tasting menu, but my food was divine. Sounds like they have on and off days.

I just posted about Black Salt on another thread. I've been there three times recently, and all three times I was disappointed. The ambiance is not that great -- the main dining space is super noisy, though the back is nicer --and the food is not good. (Ex. one night I ordered the fried clams, and they came out cold, soggy, and way too salty. Another night I ordered the clam chowder, and the soup was not a coherent taste experience - you could taste each separate ingredient, and not in a good way.) It's rare that I pass up a chance for a nice restaurant dessert, but here I was so underwhelmed by the food I just didn't have the heart to try the desserts (went to Safeway next door and got a pint of ice cream to bring home). I agree with PP that the service can some nights be on the slow side, and like many places the servers vary in how good they are.

In sum, I think Black Salt is overrated -- a case of "Emperor's new clothes." Even just sticking to oysters, which is what my husband did the last couple of times we went, yielded a mixed result. Overall, I really wanted to like this place, but in the end I won't be going back. It's not worth the money (or the wasted rare night out with no kids!).

I have to say that I had over cooked (sea bass like) fish there. It was spongey and rubbery and had an overwhelmingly saucey sauce-- meaning there was too much of it smothering the plate and yet the sauce was flavorless. And the service was so slow (told waitress we needed a minute to decide on wine, she disappeared for 20 mins) told her we needed a min to decide for food--she disappears for another 20 mins-- it totally spoiled the mood (it was date lunch with DH). I was very disappointed and would never go back.

Only done a la carte but loved it.

The peanut butter chocolate cake dessert is amazing.

Is the tasting menu/wine pairings worth it...or is a la carte the way to go here?