10/19/09

Our Favorite Restaurant

by DavidGH

The contemporary Mexican food is absolutely superb and definitely the best in the city. Wines by the glass or by the bottle are always terrific which cannot be said for many of the other upscale restaurants that we visit and which surround us in the Rush street- Gold coast-Streeterville area. . The 'Jalapeños Rellenos de Queso Capeados' appetizer is excellent and the 'Filete de Res en Salsa de Moritas con Hongos' beef tenderloin main course with unbelievable tasty sauce is out of this world. Friends love the Margaritas and Tequilas. Salpicon being 'Fit for Foodies' is a complete understatement.- It is a Foodies heaven! Fit for someone looking for a cheap basic mexican food chain it is not. We dine out at upscale American, Italian, Seafood etc restaurants every week but Salpicon is now our firm favorite for ourselves, friends and any out of town visitors. This is definitely one of the very best if not the best restaurant in Chicago.

• Pros: Absolutely Superb Upscale Contemporary Mexican Food
• Cons: Cannot get back to Salpicon Often Enough

10/04/09

Creepy Manager Staring at My Daughter!

by Andrew A

I took a party of seven for a birthday celebration, two of them are children. As we were reading the menus, the owner turned the lights down very low, but only over our table. We asked the light be brought back up to reading level, and a waiter returned it to decent setting. Not two minutes later, the owner dims it again.

That is not creepy enough, but the owner continually stared at the two kids during the entire meal, which could not end soon enough! I mentioned that I was bothered by this man ogling my daughter, and received no apology.

I heard great things about this Mexican restaurant, and each of us found the food very disappointing. The chile rellenos were clammy, the lamb chops were bony and difficult to cut, even medium rare. The pollo mole had a wisp of mole sauce, almost as if dropped on it by mistake.

Do not bring children into this restaurant under any circumstances, and consider packing a flashlight.

• Cons: Indigestible food, creepy & condescending service

07/21/09

Those "One Star" reviewers went to the wrong restaurant.

by Radio312

I have been dining at Salpicon on a regular basis every since they first open their doors in 1995 and I've always had an excellent experience there.

Over the years, I have taken many, many friends there and they too have become fans and regulars of Salpicon. Sure, the restaurant may have "loud" decor, prices that are more expensive than your neighborhood burrito house and a tight dining space, but what makes it special is the excellent food and outstanding flavors of award-winning and nationally-acclaimed chef Priscila Satkoff.

I am writing to defend my taste buds!

When I read the few “negative” reviews, I believe that these folks walked into the wrong restaurant. They might have been looking for Las Pinatas (just up the street – decent/cheap Mexican food) but somehow ended up at Salpicon. They may have been looking giant combo platters and jumbo hangover margaritas, but instead they dined at a fine restaurant unfamiliar to them; a restaurant that puts flavor, uniqueness and quality ahead of quantity.

If you’re looking for a “burrito-the-size-of-your-head” that’s fine. But please don’t slam Salpicon for taking Mexican food to an entirely new level.

Uncle Julio’s it is not. Chi-Chi’s it is not. Adobo Grill it is not. If you want to gorge then walk down the street to Las Pinatas (or take a cab if you’re that lazy). If you want to throw back shots of cheap tequila, cab over to El Jardin in Wrigleyville and slam away till you see double. Or triple.

What brings me back to Salpicon time and time again are the wonderful flavors and sauces. Must haves on the menu include: the spicy Jalapenos Rellenos (if you’re excepting a plate of deep-fried Jalapeno Poppers by the dozen, stay away); the tasty spinach salad “Ensalada Espinaca” (if you want a Buca di Beppo-sized salad, stay away); the fresh blue marlin Seviche; any of the appetizer specials: any one of Priscila’s cream soups – quite outstanding; my-mouth-is-watering-right-now lamb chops and beef tenderloin; and any of the fresh fish specials – they have always been excellent.

And those who say Salpicon Margaritas are “watered down” are certainly unfamiliar with top-shelf, extra-smooth, 100% agave tequilas. Thus they are disappointed because that nasty “twang” of cheap tequila/ grain alcohol is missing. Sorry to disappoint you, but nasty is not what real tequila tastes like.

As far as price, with quality food comes quality prices. If you only go there once a year for special occasions, then that is what kind of restaurant it is: special.

I’ve seen a lot of restaurants come and go here in Chicago, but as long as Priscila continues to dazzle me - and all of us Salpicon regulars - with her creativity and wonderful flavors, this is one restaurant that will continue to thrive and stand out above the rest.

Sorry, no combo platters here!

Salud!

• Pros: Best Mexican Flavors and Dishes in Chicago!
• Cons: None (unless you're looking for a cheap burrito house.)