Carnivale, Festive Dining in Chi-town
Carnivale is yet another entree in the "restaurant as destination" club. Yes, the food is really good, bordering on the fabulous, but you come more to a place like Carnivale to say that you've been there and to be seen my other people.
I went with a group of people and we spent a good 45 minutes past our booked reservation waiting at the bar for our table. The bar, by the way, was great. Excellent bartender and nice guacamole and chips to keep hunger away while sipping on the mojitos.
When we were seated, we had a variety of appetizers. The standout was the Ropa Vija (sweet plantains, braised beef, spicy may oand queso fresco). Also of note, the ceviche mixto (a sampling of tuna, calamari, halibut and others).
For my entree, I went with the Pernil (a fork tender cut of rum glazed pork shoulder with fried plantains, and rice and beans). A nice and tasty dish indeed, but it was the Mama Mendez' Arroz Con Mariscos (sofritoo rice, shrimp, mussels, clams, squid, chorizo, peas, chicken and souped into a lobster broth) that, hands down, won the accolades of the table.
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date Visited: 10 July 2009
Address: 702 West Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60661
Website: http://www.carnivalechicago.com/
Showing posts with label Cuisine: Latin Fusion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cuisine: Latin Fusion. Show all posts
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
R.I.P.: KoKo
R.I.P.: KoKo
With a really interesting mix of Latin-fusion slash Caribbean items on the menu and a cool, yet not too hip dining area, KoKo was a culinary treat.
My one and only visit there was in March 2008. We were sitting around a friend's house trying to decide which great St. Louis restraurant to visit. Once KoKo came up, we jumped into our cars and rode off. Sitting in the same house this month (May 2009), in the same seat (but sipping a different dring - a martini made with an Oregon artisinal gin - thanks again Doug!), I heard that KoKo klosed! So sad.
On my visit, our table started with Zydeco Fries (an appetizer of white-cheddar grits battered with cornmeal and deep-fried) which were really good.
For my entree, I had the pork osso buca, which came with a side of beans. The pork was fork tender and spiced just right.
There was an excellent wine list and great service. Glad I got there before it closed.
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 27 March 2008
Date Closed: June 2008
Address: 3257 Ivanhoe Ave., St Louis, MO 63139
Website: N/A
With a really interesting mix of Latin-fusion slash Caribbean items on the menu and a cool, yet not too hip dining area, KoKo was a culinary treat.
My one and only visit there was in March 2008. We were sitting around a friend's house trying to decide which great St. Louis restraurant to visit. Once KoKo came up, we jumped into our cars and rode off. Sitting in the same house this month (May 2009), in the same seat (but sipping a different dring - a martini made with an Oregon artisinal gin - thanks again Doug!), I heard that KoKo klosed! So sad.
On my visit, our table started with Zydeco Fries (an appetizer of white-cheddar grits battered with cornmeal and deep-fried) which were really good.
For my entree, I had the pork osso buca, which came with a side of beans. The pork was fork tender and spiced just right.
There was an excellent wine list and great service. Glad I got there before it closed.
More photos.
Meal: Dinner
Rating: ****
Date: 27 March 2008
Date Closed: June 2008
Address: 3257 Ivanhoe Ave., St Louis, MO 63139
Website: N/A
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
