duck inn does salmon too!

So we were doubly psyched about the salmon bake last night at the Duck Inn because the weather was absolutely perfect- could not have been better! AND then we had a meal that was the same way. Although things looked a little sketchy at first - the alder stakes we know from the "professional NW grill masters" which are split down the middle and then hold the sides of salmon in place - were not exactly replicated here in the urban environment- LOL

But I will give them their due- despite the challenges - they pulled off a perfect meal.  The wines from the Sanford Winery were a good combination with the food.  The hosts from the wine side Heidi, accompanied by Jo Terlato, both from Terlato Brands and the winemaker Steve Fennell were extremely welcoming and fun dinig companions.  The Duck Inn crew including Chef Kevin and his lieutenant Nicole (who handled the kitchen  part of the meal) created a lovely evening for the lucky ones who signed up for the meal... excellent evening all around!

so on to the photos! The tables are set and ready for the event!

they have the idea/concept but these are trees - LOL - not stakes- but they work it!

this is what we are going for in the way of stakes- you can see how the wood piece is split up the middle and the salmon inserted and supported by the structure - which is then roast over the fire- 

the fire part they have handled completely!

and the salmon part they have accomplished as well!

another option we have seen uses planks (Helsinki at Herring Festival) and perhaps this is a more optimum choice for city dwellers without alders growing in a grove beside their Bridgeport locale- LOL

but never fear- we were well fed and "watered" as we awaited the outcome of the experiment -

they started passing bites and these were completely yummy - but it got better when the next rounds came out!

yes - Chef Kevin and sidekick Nicole had my number all evening- OYSTERS!!! three kinds! and lots of them!

but just when you thought it couldn't get much better, it did- because dinner was ready and waaay good!

oh YUM! fiddleheads! with morel mushrooms and aged feta and olives - this was worthy!!!

excellent potato and crab salad- went back for seconds on that one!!!

the salmon was fabulous- wild Copper River - flavorful and cooked exactly the way I like it-  don't be fooled by the hot mess at the serving board- this was dynamite tasting and worth heading back for seconds (which our group did without any prompting whatsoever!)

Nicole made a green goddess sauce and a Japanese BBQ sauce - both of which were really nice but the salmon was perfect just the way it was...

two hearty breads to choose from if you felt the need- but with so many other great choices I think this was the last thing eaten (at least it was for the four of us who went together)

Steve comments about the wine as the evening starts to darken-

although the photo is dark - we had plenty of light on the patio space!

and a kick butt dessert to end the meal!

Loved this meal and love this place- eating outside on a summer in night in Chicago - life doesn't get much better!