It had been a rough 20 days...filled with hospital admissions, ambulance rides, urgent care visits, numerous doctor consultations and worry over the health of a loved one. On one of the most perfect of Harvest Moon Fall days I can ever recall, somewhere betwixt the mixture of the cool, crisp air and waning sunshine, I needed to escape the pressure of reality for just a short while. In my driving to and from within the land of 'what needed to get done', I felt enticed to visit the restaurant where I had twice before had the comfort of a really delicious meal, start to finish.
Three times must be a charm because Barnacles at Des Moines Restaurant & Bar delivered perfection once again! Starting with a smile and the inviting demeanor of my waiter, Guy, up until the friendly goodbye handshake before my departure from family-owner, Jake, every minute of my mini respite was well worth the time spent.
The most robust coffee immediately warmed my spirit, followed by a fresh, and I do mean fresh, salad with probably the best ranch dressing I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. This time I ordered the salmon for the main course, which is drizzled in a honey-dill glaze. In case you didn't know, it's not all that easy to sear/grill a filet of salmon thoroughly, yet still leave a certain succulent tenderness. Most of the time it ends up being over or under cooked, but not by the savy chefs at Barnacles. They know exactly the perfect combinations of what herbs and spices enhance the flavor of this delectable fish the best.
Coupled with a more-than-generous baked russet potato and perfectly-steamed broccoli (not raw or mushy)...well, it was more than I could have hoped for in an impromptu dining experience. But the bread...OMG, the bread! I think I could come in for a slice of that homemade goodness, alone. More on the consistency of a pound cake, a slice of this sweet and yeasty white bread needs no accompaniment, whatsoever. It became my dessert as I couldn't resist gobbling up the entire slice, yet leaving with a box of leftovers of the abundant portions of the main course to savor for another meal.
So, amidst the Full Moon madness that surrounded me, I was able to find a temporary oasis of perfection while dining in Des Moines, Washington's sanctuary of flavor: Barnacles.
You, too, can thoroughly enjoy your next meal at:
Barnacles at Des Moines Restaurant and Bar
22636 Marine View Drive
Des Moines, WA 98198
206-878-5000
www.barnaclesatdesmoines.com
Addendum: Much to my dismay, this wonderful restaurant closed on December 30, 2012. Another victim of the economy, perhaps? At any rate I shall miss it very much! Good luck in future endeavors to the family who owned this gem.
©2012 Debbie Ballard
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