Topolobampo report

[saeyedoc]

In for a meeting last weekend, made reservations for Topolobampo several months ago. My wife couldn't make the meeting, so I went with a co-worker.
We live in San Antonio and my dining companion is hispanic, so it was a bit of a risk to eat Mexican food on my first night in Chicago.
Had a 7:45 reservation on Saturday night. Arrived early, was sent to the bar, but was seated before we could even get a drink.
They were quoting 4 to 4 1/2 hour waiting times for Frontrera grill. We were actually seated a few minutes before our reservation.
My friend has a shellfish allergy, so I declined on the tasting menus so we could eat in sync.
We started by sharing a 1/2 order of the Grand Seafood platter.
Munched on the complimentary house guacaomole with cucumber and radish while downing our first top-shelf margaritas (excellent). Good start.
The seafood platter arrived. 2 each of three different oysters with two dipping sauces as well as two different Ceviches. The oysters were nice and briny and the sauces, especially the chipotle, were excellent. The Ceviches were some of the best I've had and came with some warm house-made chips.
Second course was Huevos con Chorizo, excellent house made Chorizo, home made corn tortillas, many other elements on the plate including great onions. At this point I realized this was Mexican cooking on a different level then I've experienced before. Very nuanced flavors, attention to details and great ingredients.
For my third course I had Consome Oaxaqueno while my friend had Sopa Azteca. Mine was presented with the dry ingredients, scallops, tiny apple balls, chicarones for some crunch. The consome was poured over this. The flavors of the broth itself were subtle and layered and the scallops were extremely tender.
For our main course, we both got the Carnitas en Guasmole. The pork was tender, shaped in little rectangles with a crispy surface. Way beyond any carnitas I've had here in TX.
At this point we were too full for dessert.
All in all a great meal, very expensive for Mexican food, but way beyond any I've had as far as quality goes. Would definitely go back.

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Topolobampo
445 N Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610

[chicgail]

Glad you liked it. We do try to tell people from other parts of the country that this is not the "Mexican food" that they are familiar with, but, like you, they sometimes have to experience it to understand what that means.

Just curious: with your friend's shellfish allergy, why did you order the seafood platter? Was s/he ok?

[saeyedoc]

He can't eat shrimp, crab, lobster or scallops, but is ok with mussels, clams and oysters.

[chicgail]

Thanks. It was nice of your to accommodate him. I would hate to miss out on shrimp, lobster, crab and scallops, but it sounds like it worked out well for both of you.