I had the unique (?) experience of having lunch at Black Salt on the last day it would have table service during the COVID-19 pandemic. There were three of us who were looking for good food in an atmosphere that would permit conversation. We found both.
The restaurant was rather empty and there were no issues with being able to practice social distancing. Service was attentive and excellent.
There is a prix-fix lunch of which I availed myself, having a vegetable salad with interesting ingredients which were presented in an appealing manner. I then had the tuna sandwich, that came with cole slaw and chips. The fish was excellent but was overpowered by the focaccia bread (my only criticism). i finished with a delicate sliver of flourless chocolate cake dubbed 'chocolate alchemy."
My companions also enjoyed their dishes.
I will go back as soon as the world permits such a foray again.
BTW: There is a fish market in the front of the establishment when you enter.

We enjoyed being seated in the back room where patrons could be spaced apart to observe the rules for limiting social contact. As always, the dinner was delicious and the service was perfect.

Turns out this was our last night out for the foreseeable future thanks to Coronavirus. At least we went out with a bang! The food was absolutely delicious, service was flawless, and the dining room was very nice.

This is always my favorite "go to" restaurant. The food and service are superb.

Good to get out

I had the express lunch The mussels were soft and not good. I usually get the mussels and are very good.

Special place to eat seafood. excellent atmosphere and attention. I recommend it.

Overall a great place. Seafood varieties galore. Knowledgeable waitstaff/sommelier. My only issue was the swordfish was overcooked. Otherwise a great place.

As always excellent food, great flavors and wonderful service. Introduced a friend to Black Salt and she said she will be back!

Generous portions. I really enjoyed my seafood stew and seasonal salad. Service was excellent.

Went back to Black Salt for the first time in a few years. Not sure what caused our hiatus. As always, we had a great, fun meal. Our server Brett was great and the sommelier brought us a great value wine that perfectly complimented our excellent entrees.

Unquestionably, one of the best seafood restaurants in DC. We will be beach again soon!!

BlackSalt is always excellent. Instead of the appealing 3-course prix fixe menu, we both opted for the outstanding seafood stew. Delicious! And very attentive service. One of our favorites. (I had never been there for lunch — always for dinner — but it’ll now be a go-to choice for lunch as well.)

Enjoyed the crab cake, but the hummus needs work - no taste. My friends had tuna tartare and said it's the best they've ever had.

Everytime I go I think 'why don't I come here more often..'

Fantastic food fresh from the sea and a lively atmosphere.

We've been there before and service was very nice as well as the food, however our server was not hospitable and we felt like our money isn't welcomed. Food was average which isn't what we are used to when it comes to a highly rated restaurant. In our opinion (me, wife and couple of out of town visitors) we could've had better experience in a more convenient location (we live in Foggy Bottom) that isn't so praised!

food was great and of course fresh! servers were attentive

Nice seafood, interesting flavors. Nothing simple on the menu. Very loud. Good for a group less so for a date

Love this restaurant! As Open Table would say, it is a neighborhood gem. But I don't even live in DC! I just love the fresh seafood, the fresh salads and ironically, they have a great burger at lunch. My personal favoriits are the grilled calamari and the ancient grains salad. The fish tacos are the best in town.

Happy hour was indeed happy

Everything from food to service and everything in between was fantastic.

BlackSalt offers great food, though the service is inconsistent. My first time dining there was fantastic. The waiters were attentive, and a variety of individuals interacted with us as we enjoyed our meal. The second time around, however, the waitress seemed a bit overworked and forgot a few parts of our order. I will definitely go back, but for such a high-end restaurant, our expectations were a bit higher.

I have never had any less than a spectacular, memorable meal there, and this time was no exception. Terrific.

This is a fantastic restaurant. We arrived early for a happy hour that included yummy oysters for $1.50. They were local Virginia a sweet and plump. Dinner in the back was quiet with excellent service. The wine pair wonderfully with the Black Cod. I plan on eating there again soon.

Great food, amazing service, excellent ambience. We will be back soon!

One can not beat Blacks Salt's service, food and ambience in DC or anywhere.

Consistently excellent food and attentive service.

Wonderful service, location and meal. Eric took great care ou!!

Excellent Sunday Brunch! We received outstanding service from the very pleasant and attentive wait staff and the breakfast pastries are out of this world delicious. Texas Shrimp and Grits and Duck Confit Hash were wonderful and the coffee was also top notch. A very pleasant first time dining experience at this restaurant and we plan on returning.

Amazing food and very good service

No attention to detail. Appetizer before drone arrive. Also started delivering main course before finished appetizers the person delivering noticed this and turned and headed back to the kitchen I assume to go under heat lamp. Not the type of service I expect at a restaurant at this price point. Disappointed.

I was a little disappointed there were few seafood options on the lunch menu. I have lived in Mclean 24 years. My first time to Black Salt. I will definitely go again, for dinner.

Intimate setting for reservations. Well worth the cost.

Came here for Valentine's. Food was pretty good and fresh. The whole branzino was delicious, and their crab and lobster tartare was amazing. However, the Oysters Rockefeller not so much. The ambiance was vibrant and the service was great.

Ambiance was just ok, just a lot of loud conversations with no background music to mute it out. Service was also non personable, just felt that we were just being served and that was it.

Food was good but the service was slow. It may have just been because it was Valentine’s Day and the restaurant was crowded.

Food was amazing and I’ll definitely go there again

Great Valentine’s Day lunch with excellent customer service. We have never had a bad experience here.

amazing dining experience.

5-Course Tasting Menu was more than we anticipated.

Excellent food and service.