This restaurant is in the top 5 or maybe even top 3 restaurants where you might find us in Arcata on a Friday night.

Humboldt was in need of something that helped you forget you are in a restaurant in our somewhat rural area and maybe help you imagine you are in a bigger city like somewhere in Los Angeles or the Bay Area but really, you are still in Humboldt. It’s hip.  It’s got style.  It’s just not typical of Humboldt and we LIKE that!

The restaurant itself is clean and bright with the marble bar, white walls and subtle grey and blue decor.  

Servers and hosts always are quick to greet customers and set them on their way to an enjoyable meal.

Now I will admit that we’ve become regulars to the point that bartenders remember our names and servers and other folks in the front of the house recognize us.  We really do make our way here as much as we can.

The cocktail menu has some delicious options such as Thai Me Up and the Salt Margarita.  On tap you will find a local wine that is a must have, Septentrio Chardonnay.  I have to tell you two things I love about sitting at the bar:  attentive service and chatting with people (usually strangers) that sit next to us.  It never fails that we meet interesting people.  Oh, okay, a third thing, I love a sparkling clean bar!  I don’t want my elbows to stick and I want to see things orderly because I want my drink to be orderly, too!

Food.  Oh yes!  We really have been here enough times to try a lot of items on the menu, which I will say changes occasionally but some of the best things never leave.  The Charred Octopus appetizer for example is, according to Matthew, “one of the best things you will eat in Humboldt.”  It’s cooked perfectly, looks beautiful and is tender.  Even a pickier eater like me can take pleasure in a bite of this cephalopod.  You really MUST order this!

Oysters are another great appetizer option and if you get there during happy hour between 3:00-5:00 they are a steal.  

When it comes to entrees, let me just say this—order the special!  Well, or you know, try something else like a pasta dish or steelhead if that’s on the menu (varies by season).  There is typically a fish special and a steak special.  I probably the best rib eye I’ve ever eaten at this seafood restaurant.  It was cooked perfectly and served with a chimichurri sauce, vegetables and mashers.

Lobster Boil

Rib Eye steak with Chimichurri

Steelhead Trout with crispy skin

Flank Steak

Matthew often will select the fish special.  He’s had a few different bowls of shellfish and crab that has had him slurping and moaning.  I’ve had some pretty amazing fish specials myself that are just almost impossible to describe. It always arrives hot and never overcooked, which seems happy to me most everywhere else. Hopefully some pictures will tell the story.

Now the only thing I have had to complain about this restaurant is that when it gets busy it’s noisy.  There is a whole argument about the pros and cons of a noisy restaurant.  I don’t like it so we just always get there about 4:30 and beat the chatty people.  A couple times we’ve sat at a table with friends and found it difficult to talk.  This doesn’t stop us from going and recommending Salt.  We just have nailed out to have the most enjoyable experience that works for US.