The List: Topolobampo
Monday, December 27, 2010 at 7:00AM What's The List about? Click HERE!
OK, so you may or may not have heard of Master Chef Rick Bayless.
Here in Chicago, we like to refer to him as "Ricky B". :) His restaurants Topolobampo, Frontera Grill, and Xoco are well-known and most Chicagoans makes their way to those tables sooner rather than later.
For some reason, I'm a "later". Who knows why. I love Mexican food, and being from Texas, I know what it's supposed to taste like (not Tex-Mex - MEXICAN). Chicago, I love you, but I have yet to find a good Mexican meal here. Maybe I waited because I was afraid after so many Mexican disappointments.
Anywho, I finally made it... and it was delicious. Bossyboots and I made our reservations way back in September for a chilly Friday in December. That's three months - if you're counting - which I was. You have to wait a long time to get in on a weekend to Topolobampo.
Here we are excited to sit down at our table (I bought a new going-out blouse and everything!):
We had scoped out the menu for the evening ahead of time. Usually, when you go out for a "fancy" meal, you select the tasting menu. Often, you and your eating buddy will select different tasting menus so that you can try as many different dishes as possible. That way you get a true picture of the personality of a restaurant. This time, Bossyboots and I both set our hearts on lobster, scallops, crab, tuna, etc etc. It just made more sense for us to go the a la carte route. I don't share well.
Next time, I think we'll go the tasting route! I do need an excuse to go back, so... twist my arm!
Drool:
Our chosen menu for the evening, in order:
- Guacamole with turnips and cucumbers
- Manitas de Cangrejo con Crema Habanera: fresh, first-of-season sweet Florida stone crab claws with creamy blood orange-habanero dipping sauce, crispy chips of local fall vegetables.
- Ceviche Fronterizo: lime-marinated Hawaiian albacore with tomatoes, olives, cilantro,and green chile; served on crispy tostaditas.
- Langosta y Callos de Hacha en Salsa Otonal: Maine lobster and Viking Village sea scallops in creamy sauce of Nichols Farm sunchokes and roasted poblano chiles. Salt cod croquettes, young coconut, black barley, puffed wild rice, watercress leaves
- Chocoflan de Camote: super-creamy flan (infused with Nichols Farm sweet potatoes)baked atop moist chocolate cake. Dark chocolate caramel, rum-poached sweet potato, chocolate cookie crumble.
- Crepas con Cajeta y Platano: warm, buttery crepes filled with plantain custard. Nieve de crema (sour cream sorbet), peanut crunch, homemade cajeta and bittersweet chocolate drizzle.
- Cafe Playa: Kahlua, golden Arette anejo tequila, steaming americano (espresso, hot water) whipped cream, dusting of Mexican chocolate.
- Some sort of after-dinner candy treat!
*We also consumed several delicious margaritas. Yum.
The staff could not have been friendlier, and they are so great at what they do. I highly recommend Topolobampo (as have many who have gone before me!) We loved it - Xoco is next on my to-visit list!
Bossyboots, Food, Life, Restaurants, The List
Reader Comments (4)
I've never been to Chicago and have always wanted to go and now I must add this restaurant to my must-go-to when I get a chance! That menu looks amazing and I believe I would leave there feeling stuffed to the gills....but happy! Looks like you guys had a great time!
So fun to live your Topolobampo experience through you and Mr. BB! We walked (kind of a hike!) over to Xoco from the W on the river for breakfast, because we knew a Ricky B experience was not to be missed while we were there! It was wonderful, the churros were to die for, and we hope one day we can plan enough ahead to try one of his other two more indulgent restaruants when we make it back to Chicago. Glad you had a yummy time!
Ohhh I am so genuinely jealous that you went to Topolo! I definitely have this on my personal "to do" list at some point in my life: I am obsessed with Rick Bayless! Looks like you guys had an amazing dinner...mmmm
Your fantastic food photographs are making me hungry!!