I just returned from a week in Chicago and am exhausted! What a great
city. I can't wait to return again.

I spent one marvelous night on my own and ended up having the best meal
at the bar at Frontera Grill/Topolobampo. While others waited hours (!)
for a table, because I was a solo diner I managed to squeeze in quickly
at the wall facing bar even though the place was packed. I brought along
the Delta airline magazine as I had started on the crossword puzzle
which actually turned into a conversation starter with many near me,
LOL. I enjoyed meeting a cardiologist and his wife from WI celebrating
their tenth anniversary, a couple from the UK and another couple from
Chicago whom we compared notes on everything we ordered. Once the waiter
learned I was on my own, he made a point of treating me like gold! He
took the time to discuss each dish, and we discussed the flavors and he
made suggestions. I never felt rushed and he was very knowledgeable
about the dishes. I tried to be discrete with the pictures, so apologize
in advance for the quality.

I started with a good mojito, although as I discussed with the waiter,
they're not traditionally Mexican but they're so popular they serve them
anyway. The glass ($9.50) was generous with fresh mint and very
refreshing. I think I had two.
http://i26.tinypic.com/5kq2s7.jpg

Next came a starter of jicama, cucumber and pineapple salad ($5) cut
into sticks and served with crushed guajillo chile dusted on top, and a
couple of lime wedges on the side to squeeze over. I'd never had jicama
before although I knew about it. I found it to be similar in flavor to a
water logged raw potato yet with a slight tang. Combining it with fresh
pineapple and cucumber helped temper the slight heat from the ground
chile. It came wrapped in a banana leaf cone inside a parfait type
glass, kinda cute. The waiter even gave me tips on how to pick out and
buy jicama which I'll probably do this weekend to recreate the salad.
http://i27.tinypic.com/29vfknp.jpg

I ordered the most incredible steak for dinner ($29.50)-
http://i27.tinypic.com/2m2e4gm.jpg
which Rick Bayless describes as: Carne Asada a la Oaxaquena: Creekstone
Natural Black Angus rib steak, marinated in spicy red chile and wood-
grilled, served with black beans, sweet plantains with sour cream, and
guacamole. I will be craving a repeat of that steak for years to come.
How something could be so tender, and flavored with the chile, yet I
could taste the wood fire that grilled it. Maybe because we have a gas
grill at home I miss that sort of flavor in my steaks (even as good as
they often are!) but perhaps it is also the difference between charcoal
grills and wood grilled meat? Incredible! Served alongside were some
fried plantains (always a favorite of mine) and they had the creamiest
sour cream on top of them that I've ever eaten. A bit drier than
commercial sour cream-if that makes sense? I'll try to recreate it by
draining sour cream in a cheesecloth lined drainer. Black beans were
also served but I'm not a big bean eater so I barely touched them (not
to mention I was sooooooooo full!) yet...even so full I wanted to try
something off the dessert menu too! I selected a trio of some sort of
alcoholic infusions mixed with cream and served in three glasses (Trio
de Toritos, $10). http://i25.tinypic.com/15zi245.jpg
One was guava, one coconut and the last peanut. The guava was quite
fragrant yet not particularly sweet. The coconut sweeter, yet not
sweetened? The final peanut one tasted slightly sweet, and the waiter
confirmed it was made with peanut butter so that is sweetened. They were
just too rich on my full stomach so I just wanted to try a sip of each.

It was painful to walk to my hotel afterwards, I was so full! But it was
a delicious meal in a friendly place and worth every penny. I hope if
anyone has plans to visit Chicago they'll make a point of trying it.
It could only have been better had I met Rick Bayless himself! LOL
http://www.rickbayless.com/

"Goomba38" wrote in message
...
I just returned from a week in Chicago and am exhausted! What a great city.
I can't wait to return again.

I spent one marvelous night on my own and ended up having the best meal at
the bar at Frontera Grill/Topolobampo. While others waited hours (!) for a
table, because I was a solo diner I managed to squeeze in quickly at the
wall facing bar even though the place was packed. I brought along the
Delta airline magazine as I had started on the crossword puzzle which
actually turned into a conversation starter with many near me, LOL. I
enjoyed meeting a cardiologist and his wife from WI celebrating their
tenth anniversary, a couple from the UK and another couple from Chicago
whom we compared notes on everything we ordered. Once the waiter learned I
was on my own, he made a point of treating me like gold! He took the time
to discuss each dish, and we discussed the flavors and he made
suggestions. I never felt rushed and he was very knowledgeable about the
dishes. I tried to be discrete with the pictures, so apologize in advance
for the quality.

I started with a good mojito, although as I discussed with the waiter,
they're not traditionally Mexican but they're so popular they serve them
anyway. The glass ($9.50) was generous with fresh mint and very
refreshing. I think I had two.
http://i26.tinypic.com/5kq2s7.jpg

Next came a starter of jicama, cucumber and pineapple salad ($5) cut into
sticks and served with crushed guajillo chile dusted on top, and a couple
of lime wedges on the side to squeeze over. I'd never had jicama before
although I knew about it. I found it to be similar in flavor to a water
logged raw potato yet with a slight tang. Combining it with fresh
pineapple and cucumber helped temper the slight heat from the ground
chile. It came wrapped in a banana leaf cone inside a parfait type glass,
kinda cute. The waiter even gave me tips on how to pick out and buy jicama
which I'll probably do this weekend to recreate the salad.
http://i27.tinypic.com/29vfknp.jpg

I ordered the most incredible steak for dinner ($29.50)-
http://i27.tinypic.com/2m2e4gm.jpg
which Rick Bayless describes as: Carne Asada a la Oaxaquena: Creekstone
Natural Black Angus rib steak, marinated in spicy red chile and wood-
grilled, served with black beans, sweet plantains with sour cream, and
guacamole. I will be craving a repeat of that steak for years to come.
How something could be so tender, and flavored with the chile, yet I could
taste the wood fire that grilled it. Maybe because we have a gas grill at
home I miss that sort of flavor in my steaks (even as good as they often
are!) but perhaps it is also the difference between charcoal grills and
wood grilled meat? Incredible! Served alongside were some fried plantains
(always a favorite of mine) and they had the creamiest sour cream on top
of them that I've ever eaten. A bit drier than commercial sour cream-if
that makes sense? I'll try to recreate it by draining sour cream in a
cheesecloth lined drainer. Black beans were also served but I'm not a big
bean eater so I barely touched them (not to mention I was sooooooooo
full!) yet...even so full I wanted to try something off the dessert menu
too! I selected a trio of some sort of alcoholic infusions mixed with
cream and served in three glasses (Trio de Toritos, $10).
http://i25.tinypic.com/15zi245.jpg
One was guava, one coconut and the last peanut. The guava was quite
fragrant yet not particularly sweet. The coconut sweeter, yet not
sweetened? The final peanut one tasted slightly sweet, and the waiter
confirmed it was made with peanut butter so that is sweetened. They were
just too rich on my full stomach so I just wanted to try a sip of each.

It was painful to walk to my hotel afterwards, I was so full! But it was a
delicious meal in a friendly place and worth every penny. I hope if anyone
has plans to visit Chicago they'll make a point of trying it.
It could only have been better had I met Rick Bayless himself! LOL
http://www.rickbayless.com/

We've been there a couple of times on trips from the Bay Area. I sure agree
that the Frontera Grill and Topolobampo render a whole new dimension to
south of the border cooking. It's a spectacular place, most importantly for
the food, but as well for the service and ambience, Rick Bayless does come
around the tables now and then. He autographed one of his cookbooks for us.
You bring back a nice memory.

Thanks,

Kent

"Goomba38" wrote

I just returned from a week in Chicago and am exhausted! What a great city.
I can't wait to return again.

Did you get to check out the art museum?

I spent one marvelous night on my own and ended up having the best meal at
the bar at Frontera Grill/Topolobampo. While others waited hours (!) for a
table, because I was a solo diner I managed to squeeze in quickly at the
wall facing bar even though the place was packed.

Not the kind of bar I had in mind, usually you're facing the bartender.
but hey. Still comfortable.

I brought along the Delta airline magazine as I had started on the
crossword puzzle which actually turned into a conversation starter with
many near me, LOL. I enjoyed meeting a cardiologist and his wife from WI
celebrating their tenth anniversary, a couple from the UK and another
couple from Chicago whom we compared notes on everything we ordered.

I love that! Thanks for the pictures, all your dishes sound excellent.

Probably the only way I'll see Chicago again is that we have family
there. Formerly it was a dreaded business destination, you can
imagine it's not high on the Let's go there! list.


Next came a starter of jicama, cucumber and pineapple salad ($5) cut into
sticks and served with crushed guajillo chile dusted on top, and a couple
of lime wedges on the side to squeeze over. I'd never had jicama before
although I knew about it. I found it to be similar in flavor to a water
logged raw potato yet with a slight tang.

Good description.

Thanks for the report. Very entertaining.

nancy

On Sat, 10 May 2008 01:56:38 -0400, Goomba38
wrote:

I just returned from a week in Chicago and am exhausted! What a great
city. I can't wait to return again.

Snip to my lou


Next came a starter of jicama, cucumber and pineapple salad ($5) cut
into sticks and served with crushed guajillo chile dusted on top, and a
couple of lime wedges on the side to squeeze over. I'd never had jicama
before although I knew about it. I found it to be similar in flavor to a
water logged raw potato yet with a slight tang. Combining it with fresh
pineapple and cucumber helped temper the slight heat from the ground
chile. It came wrapped in a banana leaf cone inside a parfait type
glass, kinda cute. The waiter even gave me tips on how to pick out and
buy jicama which I'll probably do this weekend to recreate the salad.
http://i27.tinypic.com/29vfknp.jpg

Jicama is such a refreshing and diet freindly veggie. If you have
access to a Hispanic market or candy store, get some Lucas. It's a
sweet, sour, spicy chile powder that among other things is sprinkled
on fruit and especially jicama.
I have a recipe for a pineapple jicama salad called Rojak on my blog.
It's delicious.

What tips did he give you on how to pick them out? I've never learned
how to pick them out, it's just hit and miss with me.

I ordered the most incredible steak for dinner ($29.50)-
http://i27.tinypic.com/2m2e4gm.jpg

snipped due to drool

The prices seem very reasonable.

something off the dessert menu too! I selected a trio of some sort of
alcoholic infusions mixed with cream and served in three glasses (Trio
de Toritos, $10). http://i25.tinypic.com/15zi245.jpg
One was guava, one coconut and the last peanut. The guava was quite
fragrant yet not particularly sweet. The coconut sweeter, yet not
sweetened? The final peanut one tasted slightly sweet, and the waiter
confirmed it was made with peanut butter so that is sweetened. They were
just too rich on my full stomach so I just wanted to try a sip of each.

That's what I like about Mexican desserts is that they aren't too
sweet.

Thank you so much for sharing your meal with us, Your descriptions are
great. It looks like it was memorable.

koko
---
http://www.kokoscorner.typepad.com
updated 5/04
"There is no love more sincere than the love of food"
George Bernard Shaw

On 2008-05-10, wrote:

Jicama is such a refreshing and diet freindly veggie. If you have
access to a Hispanic market or candy store, get some Lucas. It's a
sweet, sour, spicy chile powder that among other things is sprinkled
on fruit and especially jicama.

Love those jicama sprinkles. Others are citrus/chile, etc. They usually
look like those small travel Leslie salt shakers of yore, but are typically
colored a screaming lime green or flaming red/pink, the color being a visual
indicator of the spicyness.

What tips did he give you on how to pick them out? I've never learned
how to pick them out, it's just hit and miss with me.

Basically, the same way you should search for melons or any juicy fruit.
Since juicy=water and water=heavy, pick 'em up and heft 'em. Judge
selection based on weight. The heavier, the juicier, the lighter, the
drier. Weigh them if a scale is handy.

nb

On Sat, 10 May 2008 01:56:38 -0400, Goomba38
wrote:

Maybe because we have a gas
grill at home I miss that sort of flavor in my steaks (even as good as
they often are!) but perhaps it is also the difference between charcoal
grills and wood grilled meat? Incredible!

Hint: don't clean your grill to pristine newness after every use (a
steel brush and a little fire are your best friends) - you'll have a
lot more flavor in your grilled food.

--
See return address to reply by email
remove the smile first

Kent wrote:

We've been there a couple of times on trips from the Bay Area. I sure agree
that the Frontera Grill and Topolobampo render a whole new dimension to
south of the border cooking. It's a spectacular place, most importantly for
the food, but as well for the service and ambience, Rick Bayless does come
around the tables now and then. He autographed one of his cookbooks for us.
You bring back a nice memory.


Do you recall what some of your favorite dishes were?
I would have loved to have tried some of the tasting menus, such as the
moles, but alas that will have to wait until another trip!

On May 9, 10:56*pm, Goomba38 wrote:
I just returned from a week in Chicago and am exhausted! What a great
city. I can't wait to return again.

Thanks for an entertaining report.

.... I started with a good mojito, although as I discussed with the waiter,
they're not traditionally Mexican ....

They're Cuban.

.... I'd never had jicama
before although I knew about it. I found it to be similar in flavor to a
water logged raw potato yet with a slight tang.

Jicama is also a quite workable substitute for water chestnuts in many
stir fries.

I ordered the most incredible steak for dinner ...Carne Asada a la Oaxaquena: ....
How something could be so tender, and flavored with the chile, yet I
could taste the wood fire that grilled it. Maybe because we have a gas
grill at home I miss that sort of flavor in my steaks (even as good as
they often are!) but perhaps it is also the difference between charcoal
grills and wood grilled meat?

Yes, you can create smoke on your gas grill using soaked wood chips --
hickory, mesquite, alder are pretty readily available -- wrapped in a
foil packet that you poke full of holes. Not the same as a real wood
fire (I'd bet Bayless uses hardwood, not just charcoal) but effective.

.... and they had the creamiest
sour cream on top of them that I've ever eaten. A bit drier than
commercial sour cream-if that makes sense?

Might have been Mexican queso fresco. Available in Mexican markets.
....
It was painful to walk to my hotel afterwards, I was so full! But it was
a delicious meal in a friendly place and worth every penny.....

A worthwhile outing! -aem

Nancy Young wrote:

Did you get to check out the art museum?

Aaaaaaaagh! After I returned home yesterday, I found a party invitation
in the mail that took place at the art museum! I had already RSVP'd to a
party at the Hilton for that night (met Kevin Everette, the Buffalo
Bills player who broke his neck and recovered) so would have been torn.
But I'd been to a reception at the Hilton the night before too and it
was all the same tired food by the next night, dammit!


Not the kind of bar I had in mind, usually you're facing the bartender.
but hey. Still comfortable.

That bar was packed, but no one was leaving. I think some of those folks
got there at opening time (5:30??) and took up residence, LOL. I got
there closer to 8 PM. I was shocked when I heard some folks there had
been on the waiting list for a table for 2 or more hours. The bar was
odd in that you faced the wall (if you were eating) yet it also provided
a modicum of privacy. If you were just drinking, of course your barstool
would have allowed you to face any which direction.

I brought along the Delta airline magazine as I had started on the
crossword puzzle which actually turned into a conversation starter with
many near me, LOL. I enjoyed meeting a cardiologist and his wife from WI
celebrating their tenth anniversary, a couple from the UK and another
couple from Chicago whom we compared notes on everything we ordered.

I love that! Thanks for the pictures, all your dishes sound excellent.

I'm going to have to remember the crossword trick as a good conversation
starter! I don't usually do crossword puzzles (not literate enough? lol)
but either I'm getting smarter in my old age...or it was just easier
than I recall them being....but I really had fun doing it. It wasn't
NYTimes difficult, I guess. LOL

Probably the only way I'll see Chicago again is that we have family
there. Formerly it was a dreaded business destination, you can
imagine it's not high on the Let's go there! list.

I was impressed with how clean the city is. It was a wonderful
destination for a visit, although I wasn't terribly impressed with the
bigass McCormack Convention Center. The (aprox 20 large) convention
hotels were so scattered from here to there that it made it difficult to
organize to bounce around. The shuttles they arranged were time consuming.


Thanks for the report. Very entertaining.

nancy

Bill Cosby came and spoke to us Wednesday night (not on his game, I'd
say?) and I took Thursday AM off and went to the Museum of Surgical
Science, housed in one of the fabulous old mansions on "The Magnificent
Mile" along Lake Shore Dr. Interesting, but the neighborhood was
breathtaking.

wrote:

Jicama is such a refreshing and diet freindly veggie. If you have
access to a Hispanic market or candy store, get some Lucas. It's a
sweet, sour, spicy chile powder that among other things is sprinkled
on fruit and especially jicama.
I have a recipe for a pineapple jicama salad called Rojak on my blog.
It's delicious.

I will check that out. It was a lovely combination. The presentation was
attractive too. I could have eaten that all night long.

What tips did he give you on how to pick them out? I've never learned
how to pick them out, it's just hit and miss with me.

Lemme recall.. (after 2 mojitos on an empty tummy, lol) He said round,
dry and clean. I recall him saying "white" but I'm sure he was speaking
of the inside rather than the out, huh?


The prices seem very reasonable.

Yes, I thought so too. It was a fabulous meal and worth every penny.
I've certainly had worse that cost just as much, y'know?

That's what I like about Mexican desserts is that they aren't too
sweet.

I just wish I could recall what liquor they used to infuse the flavors
in?? I was taking notes on my crossword puzzle page, lol. I come home to
find the entire menu (sans desserts!) on his website so I could have
saved the effort.

Thank you so much for sharing your meal with us, Your descriptions are
great. It looks like it was memorable.

koko

Welcome! This is high praise indeed.

aem wrote:

Yes, you can create smoke on your gas grill using soaked wood chips --
hickory, mesquite, alder are pretty readily available -- wrapped in a
foil packet that you poke full of holes. Not the same as a real wood
fire (I'd bet Bayless uses hardwood, not just charcoal) but effective.

On his webpage, they introduce and interview the staff. The chef speaks
of the fire going out on the wood grill one night. What amazed me so was
how pleasantly strong (apparent) the wood smoke flavor was in this
steak, yet I could also clearly taste the chile marinade. Neither flavor
outshone the other. And the beef itself was wonderfully flavored and
tender. The menu listed the beef as coming from "Creekstone Natural
Black Angus Rib.." but I've never heard of them. He has extensive
discussion on his menu about using local resources and
supporting/sustaining the environment.

.... and they had the creamiest
sour cream on top of them that I've ever eaten. A bit drier than
commercial sour cream-if that makes sense?

Might have been Mexican queso fresco. Available in Mexican markets.

The menu listed it as homemade sour cream. Rich as all get out and very
flavorful. I've seen queso fresco at the market but never tried it. I'll
pick some up and give it a shot. It was very good on the plantainos.
....
It was painful to walk to my hotel afterwards, I was so full! But it was
a delicious meal in a friendly place and worth every penny.....

A worthwhile outing! -aem

Absolutely!

On Sat, 10 May 2008 12:13:55 -0400, Goomba38
wrote:

I took Thursday AM off and went to the Museum of Surgical
Science, housed in one of the fabulous old mansions on "The Magnificent
Mile" along Lake Shore Dr. Interesting, but the neighborhood was
breathtaking.

http://www.aviewoncities.com/chicago...ficentmile.htm
I was told it's called the Magnificent Mile because the *prices* are
breathtaking!


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remove the smile first

sf wrote:
On Sat, 10 May 2008 12:13:55 -0400, Goomba38
wrote:

I took Thursday AM off and went to the Museum of Surgical
Science, housed in one of the fabulous old mansions on "The Magnificent
Mile" along Lake Shore Dr. Interesting, but the neighborhood was
breathtaking.

http://www.aviewoncities.com/chicago...ficentmile.htm
I was told it's called the Magnificent Mile because the *prices* are
breathtaking!

Along Lake Shore Drive are the old mansions (Gold Coast, just like
Oyster Bay-Glen Cove on Long Island) of the gazillionaires of the early
20th century. This house that houses the museum was a gift to a daughter
by one richass fella, and it was built to her specifications and love of
Versailles. One could live a lot worse, eh?

On Sat, 10 May 2008 12:51:16 -0400, Goomba38
wrote:

This house that houses the museum was a gift to a daughter
by one richass fella, and it was built to her specifications and love of
Versailles. One could live a lot worse, eh?

Ah, for the good old days when daddy built you a house to your
specifications! LOL

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remove the smile first

On Sat, 10 May 2008 12:23:33 -0400, Goomba38
wrote:

wrote:

Thank you so much for sharing your meal with us, Your descriptions are
great. It looks like it was memorable.

koko

Welcome! This is high praise indeed.

Indeed!!! That is from the lady that carries a personal little tape
recorder with her, to record her impressions about meals/dishes.

Christine