SSI dinner at Boathouse on Breach Inlet

Prosciutto-wrapped roasted scallop with black risotto

Chef Greenberg, Colleen O'Connor and David Hutto with Boathouse

The S.C. Aquarium partners with local restaurants to promote their sustainable seafood initiative (SSI). The Boathouse on Breach Inlet has been a long time partner with the SSI program, and the Aquarium rates them at a platinum lever for the high percentage of sustainable seafood they carry on their everyday menu. On Tuesday, February 26 Chef Aaron Greenberg prepared a five course meal for Aquarium patrons, and a local vinter offered wine pairings to accompany the food. The first course was smoked amberjack and crab salad, which reminded me a lot of eating smoked marlin, and the fried goat cheese crumbles went well with the seafood. The Hedges Sauvignon Blanc from 2010 was sweet, in contrast to the smoky and salty AJ. The second course of littleneck clams came from Tobias Seafood, and was paired with a 2010 Pinot Blanc from the Sass vineyard. The main course was golden tilefish, from Abundant Seafood, served with a rosemary polenta cake and shitake mushrooms. The 2010 Chardonnay from Independent Producers was clean and free of oak influences, allowing the mushrooms and fish to stay front and center on one's palate. My favorite course was served with a 2009  Pinot Noir from Edna Valley, and came in the form of a prosciutto-wrapped scallop. Standing out on the plate was my first encounter with black risotto with an apple habanero syrup on top. The ham did not overpower the scallop, and was a delightful change from all of the 'bacon-wrapped' entrees found elsewhere. Even the red wine was dubbed sustainable, Sustainable In Practice, or SIP. For dessert, a chocolate bread pudding and vanilla gelato cups were served with a 2010 Muscat de Rivesaltes.

To view past blog entries about SSI click here.

Nifty sunsets are always on the menu at Breach Inlet

Grilled golden tilefish with polenta cake