(TV Diner) - Framed by other colonial houses and gardens, Mombo had a lovely historical decor on two levels with Windsor chairs, antique oils and candlelight under post and beam cathedral ceilings. Allowing a view of the open kitchen behind it, a long jade marbled bar slightly curved to the back. The American menu was quite sophisticated.
Starting with the Three Lily Tart, we loved this assembly of a warm puffy pastry filled with leeks and tender shallots paired with slices of superb lobster tail sitting on sweet crispy corn. With a citrus cream and thyme accent---a super start.
Lightly oiled greens curled around a square of goat cheese in the Beet Salad. Cubed colorful beets basked in the swirl of purple mustard and---well, it couldn't be beat with the bowl-to-share of crispy browned Salt and Vinegar Fingerling Potatoes!
Ricotta Gnudi--a light pasta-- played with crispy kale amongst lots of woodsy sauted mushrooms-all on a carrot puree. The parmesan vinaigrette gave a light salty cheesy taste to the dish that eclipsed most pasta preparations.
Chimichurri Rojo was a glazed very fresh and perfectly cooked organic salmon. Cleverly placed on crunchy orange shredded jicama that pushed the essence of coriander to a base of sliced sweet potato, the robust fish entre was bright with citrus and exotic spice-a remarkable plate.
Citrus and spice appeared again in the Carrot Cake, a round confection of six-spice moist cake under a multi-kissed pattern of orange cream cheese frosting that woke up all the elements in this over-the-top dessert.
The Flourless Torte floated deep chocolate on a cloud of fluffy mousse and a crackly ganache. With an intriguing contrast of lemon ice cream-mmmmm Wow!
Service was flawless. Prices were appropriate for fine dining with high quality ingredients, good serving sizes and pretty-as-a-picture presentations with appetizers nine to nineteen, entrees nineteen to thirty-eight and desserts eight dollars.
Local
Mombo defines classy contemporary eating in an early American setting with an ambiance that makes eating out a culinary interlude. Done with a diligence, the stunning cuisine meets metropolitan big city standards bringing food to the table with hospitable and impeccable service. It's bound to captivate any diner. It earns the Platinum Plate. Located at 66 Marcy Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, it can be reached by calling 603-433-2340 or by visiting momborestaurant.com
