If you stop by Smoked for lunch, you’ll be able to try some of McCloskey’s new creations for yourself. Keep reading for a rundown of some of his favorite dishes.
Brisket tacos
The brisket tacos, which made their debut at Smoked’s Blue Zones Dinner, are now on the restaurant’s lunch menu.
If this plate of fresh blue corn tortillas topped with house-made smoked brisket, roasted squash, black beans, smoked corn salsa and green sriracha crème looks familiar to you, it might be. McCloskey debuted this dish at the Blue Zones Dinner. Today, they’re marked on Smoked’s menu with a “blue zone inspired” tag.
The brisket tacos ($19), inspired by Nicoya, Costa Rica, are on the richer side, with unctuous brisket and warm, starchy toppings. The brightness from the sriracha adds a necessary contrast to the plate, while the crème base keeps the dish cohesive with another note of richness. As the soft tortillas are homemade, the sooner you bite into them, the better.
Chicken piccata
The chicken piccata on Smoked’s new lunch menu.
With a base of mashed potatoes and garlic haricots verts and topped with two egg-battered pounded chicken breast fillets, roasted cherry tomatoes and a caper beurre blanc, Smoked’s chicken piccata ($21) is a hearty dish — but McCloskey is confident that it makes for a “fork-and-knife, wonderful lunch.”
A connecting thread throughout the entire dish is its citrusy flavor — whether peeking through the thin and slightly crispy chicken, itself, working with the garlic in the haricots verts or doused over the mashed potatoes in the beurre blanc. While the plate has plenty of heavy elements, the citrus zings cut the dish’s richness and make it an easier sell during lunch hour.
Lobster roll
The lobster roll from Smoked’s lunch menu.
“I’m from Long Island, so I take pride in my lobster rolls,” said McCloskey about his take on the sandwich, which includes a generous helping of Maine lobster knuckle and claw meat, diced celery, lemon tarragon aioli piled high on a toasted brioche bun. It comes with a side of truffle parmesan fries.
Light on the aioli, Smoked’s lobster roll ($26) has massive, tender hunks of meat that take center stage. The brioche is thick enough that you don’t have to worry about a dreaded soggy bun as you work your way through the sandwich. The truffle fries add some salty, umami funk to balance out the sweet and mild lobster.
This article was originally published by a www.postandcourier.com . Read the Original article here. .