The Darling: Back Again with Friends

John and I love The Darling so much that when our friends Chris and Christy came to town, we knew we had to take them there. As expected, the oysters were a hit, but the rest of the menu offered plenty of surprises and delights. See here for pictures of our first visit.

Type/Style: Seafood, Oyster Bar
Reservations?: Yes, highly recommended. Walk-ins happen, but it’s safer to book ahead.
Parking: Nearby parking garage
Ambiance: Casual vibe with 80’s and modern alternative rock playing in the background
Staff Service: Excellent
Price Range: $$

Appetizers:

Oysters (North Carolina and Virginia):
Chris and Christy had never tried raw oysters before, so John and I were excited to introduce them. We ordered our favorite varieties from NC and VA, and to our delight, they actually enjoyed them! They had fun experimenting with toppings like vinegar, cocktail sauce, and horseradish. Even though John was eager for a third round of oysters, we had to hold him back—we still had so much more food ahead of us!

House-Smoked Salmon Dip:
Christy and I thought the salmon reminded us of tuna fish from a can, but when combined with the crème fraîche, pickled onions, cucumber, and rye toast points, it transformed into an amazing bite.

Green Salad with Buttermilk Dressing:
John and I had already tried this, but we wanted to get Chris and Christy’s opinions. They loved the buttermilk dressing and agreed it was a refreshing complement to the richer dishes.

Clam Chowder:
While John and I thought the chowder, filled with clams, bacon, marble potatoes, fennel, and herb pistou, was perfect, Chris and Christy found it a bit salty. We didn’t mind, as we’re salt lovers!

Poutine (French Fries with Gravy):
John accidentally ordered poutine without realizing what it was—fries and gravy! We all had a good laugh when he tried to send it back, thinking there was a mistake. It ended up being delicious!

Main Courses:

Crispy Fried Half Chicken:
Chris ordered this and loved it so much that he declared ten minutes of silence just to savor it. He spent the rest of the weekend raving about how good it was. To say he loved it would be an understatement!

Shrimp and Grits (with a Fried Egg):
John couldn’t resist ordering his favorite dish again. Even though I wanted to try something new, I couldn’t argue—it’s an exceptional dish. The spicy broth, combined with egg, ham, and vegetables, is absolute magic. See here for the picture.

Lobster Roll:
I had never tried a lobster roll before, so I ordered one for myself. The combination of a warm bakery-quality roll and cold, lightly spiced lobster with scallion, mayo, and Old Bay seasoning was absolutely delicious.

Blue Crab Tagliatelle:
Christy ordered this homemade pasta dish and was kind enough to share. The crab stood out, perfectly paired with a creamy sauce, spring peas, peppers, and Parmesan. The pasta itself was exceptional, rivaling fine Italian restaurants.

Desserts:

Key Lime Pie:
Everyone’s favorite except for John, who still prefers the s’mores. This version of key lime pie is light and fluffy, with a homemade crust that’s sweet and dense, like a cookie. If you love key lime pie, this one is a must-try.

S’mores Parfait:
John’s favorite dessert. The rich chocolate mousse, bruléed fluff, and graham cracker layers not only taste incredible but look spectacular too.

Cheesecake with Caramel and Chocolate Sauces:
While very good, this dessert came in third place compared to the other two. However, if you’re a cheesecake fan, it’s definitely worth trying.