Warning: I heard a line cook say 'it's just a garnish' and it made me think.
I was at a place in Austin and heard a guy dismiss a parsley sprig that way. It made me realize how much a simple garnish can change a plate's look and feel. Do you have a garnish that always seems to pull a dish together?
Honestly, my buddy had a whole thing with cilantro last week. He made these basic fish tacos that looked kinda sad on the plate, just beige on beige. He tossed a big handful of fresh cilantro on top right before serving and it was like a totally different meal, way more fresh and inviting. It's crazy how one green thing can trick your brain into tasting better.
Ever notice how cilantro makes everything taste cleaner? It's like a reset button for your taste buds, jason_hunt27. Your buddy was totally right about that fresh pop.