text: Salt of the Earth opened back in September 2010, and like many other foodies in town, I had been waiting and waiting for the great day of revelation, but for various reasons, I didn't make it...until now. \n\nA friend of mine and I had been talking about getting to Salt for the better part of the past year--to celebrate a number of milestones that had passed, but finally we made it in mid-December in honor of our December birthdays (and all that other stuff). \n\nI knew well what to expect, and we chose to not make a reservation so that we could experience the communal tables on the first floor. The noise level was not terrible, but definitely would not be great for anyone with hearing troubles. The large menu was not that difficult to read, but I did like that they also had the URL up so you could choose to read it on your smartphone, should you be so equipped. I found the prices to be pretty reasonable for the level of dining -- entrees ranged from $15-24. Add starters ($6-13) and desserts ($7-8), and you can spend a pretty penny or a small fortune if you also imbibe a few of their cocktails, but we found ourselves quite pleased with our meals and the bill did not break the bank (we shared a salad and dessert and did not order any alcohol). \n\nI agree with other reviewers who note that you should be prepared for the experience and be in the mood for the atmosphere. I think that it would be best to have a small group (~4) if you are going to sit at the communal table, as I did feel a bit surrounded as a party of two smack in the middle of the table, but we were not too crowded and it was not too loud. \n\nThe service was functional and the wait staff were knowledgeable about the menu. We shared a beet, frisee, and egg salad drizzled with truffle oil ($10) that was fabulous and the portion was sufficient for two as a starter. The beets were chopped into small cubes and tossed with the truffle oil. Sweet frisee was piled on top with an egg laid on top of that. The runny yolk added to the richness of the dressing and it was truly divine. \n\nThere was a long wait between the salad and our entrees. We had been sitting for at least a half an hour with nothing on the table save a bottle of fizzy water (for which they get points for not charging some outrageous price) and I remarked that the wait was getting a bit ridiculous, even for a place that makes fabulous creations that should not be rushed. Our entrees thankfully showed up a few moments after that point, and they were fabulous. \n\nI ordered the seitan, a steal at $15. It was served with broccoli kim chi, wild rice porridge (which was poured along side the seitan) and ginger. Each bite had a slightly different combination of savory, tart, sweet, and bright. It was delicious, creative, nourishing and filling -- everything I want in a meal, and bonus points to Chef Souza for coming up with well-balanced and delicious veggie options. My dining companion had the scallops with mussels that were served with a sunchoke/potato puree, artichokes and olives. She also was very pleased with her meal.\n\nWe finished with the \"S'more\" dessert, which was an insane (in all the good ways), combination of crumbled golden graham crackers, chunks of chocolate ganache, and heavenly elderflower-infused fluff, lightly torched for the \"melted over a campfire\" effect. \n\nOverall, I'd give the food a 5; the service a 3.5 (servers were helpful, but the time between courses was long and we finally had to ask for our check after again sitting for a while after finishing our dessert); and the atmosphere a 3. It's a shwank looking place--beautiful, but a bit hard and lacking intimacy (I can't speak for the upstairs space). I will definitely be back, but I think you have to be in the mood for the experience. If you are in the least tired or looking for a comfortable, relaxed experience, long group tables and backless chairs in a cavernous room with a 15 ft chalkboard on one side and the open kitchen on the other will not deliver. If, however, you're up for a wonderful food adventure with a couple of energetic friends, NACL is just the place for the perfect evening.