Salpicon

11/12/09

the credit physician latino

by md physician at Citysearch

the credit physician and the restoration team,michael allen says a low credit score can keep you from your dreams,restoration of your credit can help get you into a new home,car,thats why we celebrated with the 750 and above credit score club at salpicon mmmmm talk about good latino food,the salsa is awesome i was amazed at the good service,congradtulations to all the new members who were put into the new 750 club,thank u to the staff at salpicon

• Pros: helping latino into new home
• Cons: low credit score

10/19/09

Our Favorite Restaurant

by DavidGH at Citysearch

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

07/21/09

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

by Radio312 at Citysearch

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.)

03/24/08

One of the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago!

by eventsplanner at Citysearch

Salpicon has to be one of my favorite restaurants in the city of Chicago- and believe me when I say, I go to A LOT of great restaurants. Let me first say, this is no taco bell. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but this is true authentic Mexican Food......not a Tex Mex shack you stop into before a night of drinking. The food is EXCELLENT, the staff are friendly, quick, helpful- I am always greeted with a smile when I walk in the door and always seated very quickly. The restaurant is cozy- make sure to make reservations. It is always a pretty full house, which speaks to its popularity among foodies. For an upscale restaurant, I think the price is right- REMEMBER, this is not a taco and burrito joint, but a restaurant for "in the know" diners. Try any of the fabulous weekly specials- there is always something for everyone to enjoy. I love their Margaritas too- I recommend the Margarita made with the Herradura Reposado- if you want some tequila that leaves you with a headache from hell, wondering how you got home....this is not the place for you. If you are a wine person- they have one of the best lists in town. Ask recommendations from the very friendly sommelier. Top picks for me are the ceviche, the crab cakes, the camarones al mojo de ajo, and the excellent pork chop!!! Get ready for an excellent dining experience!!! Believe me, you won't be disappointed!!

• Pros: Great food, friendly staff.
• Cons: Go early and make reservations

03/24/08

Excellent, authentic, modern Mexican fare!!!!

by bcaburnay at Citysearch

This fabulous Old Town restaurant is one of my favorites in the city. Warm, cozy, with fantastic and friendly staff, Salpicon's menu has something for everyone. I come back to the restaurant at least once a week!! Check out all the wonderful awards the restaurant has won- appropriately on display by the host desk. The wine and tequila list is tremendous- not to mention the staff are extremely knowledgeable about food and wine pairings. Try any of the wonderful weekly specials (particularly the duck when it is on the menu). The ceviche as a starter is wonderful! The tenderloin filet and camarones al mojo de ajo are amazing. If you want excellent, authentic, modern Mexican fare, Salpicon is an absolute must visit!!!!

• Pros: Fabulous menu, something for everyone!
• Cons: NONE

01/08/08

Best New Year's Eve ever!

by lds39 at Citysearch

Came here on New Year's Eve with my husband. Everyhing was perfect; from the valet service to the chocolate truffles with tequila)! My husband had the crabcake and I had the scallop app with bacon. Both were well-conceived and tasted fresh and yummy. For entrees we had the lamb chops and the filet with huitlacochi (sp)? sauce. The lamb melted in my mouth and my husband's filet was delicious on its own but was superbly matched with the huitlacochi sauce. For dessert I had the pear and mago tart with goat's milk ice cream (yum) and Jim had the chocolate espresso cake with vanilla ice cream Both tasted as good as they looked. Their wine list is extensive and very impressive and Henry, the sommelier, picked out a great bottle of wine for us that went well with what we ordered (I think it was an Australian Grenache). Our server Mark made us feel very welcome. We can't wait to return!

• Pros: excellent food, great wine list, professional service
• Cons: not close enough to our home!

12/14/07

Great place for Tequila drinks!!

by jodiewatleys1970 at Citysearch

I just went here last night with a friend who is a regular. The staff were great and let me use my Spanish :) I had a fun time trying new drinks. The decor was nice but the floor made me a little dizzy! j/k! The foods yummy. A little pricey but what can you expect for the neighborhood!! I plan to go back before the end of the year!

• Pros: Great Tequila! Fodds yummy!
• Cons: pricey but worth it!

10/01/07

Fantastic Mex!

by hipster99 at Citysearch

See previous review (forgot to star it) Should be 5 stars. Great dining experience! From the moment we arrived we felt like we were in good hands. Our server recommended 2 tequilas for our margaritas and they were both great (El Tesoro Blanco for me and Chinaco Anejo for my husband). We shared 2 appetizers; jalapenos stuffed with cheese and served with a black bean sauce and a KILLER crabcake made with jumbo crabmeat and serrano chiles and coated with panko bread crumbs and served with an avocado-habanero salsa. The crabcake had almost no filler; almost 100% crabmeat. With these we had a bottle of Riesling from Austria that was recommended by the sommelier. It was delicious. For entrees we had Lamb loin chops with a garlic pasilla sauce and Quail in an ancho chile sauce. Wonderful! We paired these with a bottle of Claredon Hills Grenache from Austraila. Great match. We opted to share a dessert; a crepe with mangos and raspberries topped with a goat's milk caramel sauce. Wow!! We can't wait to return to Chicago and dine at Salpicon. It's at the top of our list! We only wish we had one in Vancouver.

c

• Pros: Food with flavor, great wine & tequila lists, personable service
• Cons: too far from home (Vancouver, B.C.)

11/11/06

A wonderful dining experience!

by lefontana at Citysearch

Had a reservation for Friday at 8:00; were seated promptly, Server knew her stuff about tequila. Turned us on to one of the many tequila flights they had. We took her recommendations on dinner and were not disappointed (stuffed jalapenos, squash blossoms with goat cheese, spinach salad with chipotle honey dressing, Alaskan halibut and lamb loin chops. Fantastic! Michael, the sommelier, recommended a bottle of Australian Grenache that complemented everything we ordered. Although the restaurant was packed, service was impeccable! Great job by all. Definitely one of our best dinners this year! Can't wait to return.

• Pros: great food and service
• Cons: none

07/25/06

Best Mexican dining experience in Chicago!

by janetmacgregor at Citysearch

Everything we ate was amazing; the flavors were balanced and exciting.

Our waiter was knowledgeable, attentive, and funny.

If you would like to drink something other than margaritas, try one of the MANY wines available and dont be shy to ask for help with the extensive wine list. The Gruner Veltliner we drank during our last visit was perfectly delicious and complemented everything we ate.

I cant say enough good things about this restaurant!

• Pros: Amazing desserts, metered parking close and available, excellent service.
• Cons: None.