Dining Out Sustainably: Perla's

I love seafood, but it's become a bit of a mine field to order out and try to be a responsible diner.  iPhone apps like Seafood Watch help, but I still always fret about what I'm ordering - is it on the red list of things to avoid or is it a green safe choice.  It's enough to wear a person out.  Luckily, a number of local seafood restaurants are working with San Miguel Seafood and other vendors who are bringing up seafood from the Gulf and, thank goodness, it's guilt free.

Imagine my delight when I heard that Perla's Seafood & Oyster Bar was serving Texas seafood.  I have always enjoyed Lambert's, Perla's sister restaurant, and couldn't wait to try out this new venue that was picked by Esquire Magazine as one of America's Best Restaurants.

Perla's feels like a restaurant on the beach.  Sitting on the deck under the festive umbrellas, I felt like I should be looking out over the ocean, not S. Congress Ave.

The menu is classic seafood with a twist. We couldn't resist the Cold Bar and ordered a half dozen oysters - a mixture that included some Texas Gulf.  They were delicious and a great way to start the meal.

For dinner, my dining partner ordered the Grouper, which was light and perfectly cooked. She was very pleased with how moist, flavorful and flaky the fish was.  I ordered the Texas Bouillabaise and it was a great twist on the French classic.  Each bite of seafood popped with the flavor of the saffron broth.  It was the perfect foil for a cool evening out on the deck.

On another visit, I split a Soft Shell Crab BLT with a friend and I can honestly tell you it is one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten.  The crab and the bacon flavors just melt together with the bread and it was everything we could do not to lick our fingers (we were at Perla's after all; not the crab shack).

I've also heard great things about the Lobster Roll, but haven't had a chance to try it.  Guess I'm going to have to go back to Perla's soon for my seafood fix.

Maybe I'll see you on the deck lounging under one of the umbrellas.