South Loop's Taste of Spain

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Chicago's South Loop has had a gradual makeover within the past 10 years. South Wabash has its own restaurant row with hot spots galore lining either side of the street. A new restaurant, Tapas Valencia on South State Street once housed a big sports bar, but the venue recently changed hands and is hoping to attract local customers to taste their version of Spanish cuisine.

Like most tapas places Tapas Valencia boasts a full menu of hot and cold dishes, including soups and salads. However, the satisfaction factor is hit or miss. The small plates that were considered hits or pretty good flavorful dishes were the "Pimiento con Pollo", imported sweet peppers stuffed with chicken salad; the"Pato con Setas", a grilled duck breast on sauteed wild mushrooms and the"Cazuelita de Pollo", featuring a chicken breast casserole with vegetables and cream of pimiento. Tapas that were very average and not that impressive were the "Zarzuela de Mariscos", a casserole of shrimp, clams and scallops and the "Tostadas de Salmon Ahumado", which was a basic smoked salmon and caviar plate. Their version of lobster bisque also missed the mark. The dessert menu has about ten different selections and the standout was the "Tarta de Pera", a pound cake with pear served with caramel sauce and ice cream.

Tapas Valencia is housed in a pretty big space and had an industrial feel that wasn't very inviting. The service was a little shaky, but picked up throughout the evening. Their wine list is extensive and highlights wine from various regions in Spain. Wine flights are available to try along with specialty martinis and red or white sangria. The restaurant may not be a target destination for north siders, but is a good spot for the neighborhood and adds another dining option to the South Loop.

Tapas Valencia is located at 1530 S. State Street in the South Loop. Log onto www.tapasvalencia.com for more information. Watch Fete Select TV on www.efete.net to get and inside look at the newest and best restaurants in Chicago.

Labels: chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dc crenshaw, fete select tv, nbc chicago street team, sangria, south loop, south state street, spanish cuisine, spanish wines, tapas valencia

El Barco Mariscos..."To Dine For" by Maddie

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

After several failed attempts to get my friend Jordan to have dinner at Graham Elliot or L2O he finally told me to quit whining and would take me to a spectacular “gem”– a place with the “best ceviche in Chicago”.

As we drove west on Division, I guessed all of the wrong spots. Are we going to Takashi? Nope. Mexique? Nope. After all of my superciliousness and uninformed attempts at guessing our destination we arrived at El Barco Mariscos (1035 N. Ashland).

Upon sitting down at one of the communal-esque tables, our server set down a plate filled with crispy tortilla chips, salsa and mole. Not for the faint of heart, these were some seriously spicy but scintillating condiments. I delighted by the satisfying smoky Chile flavor from the tar looking mole – a smokiness I’d never experienced before.

Set down in front of me in what can only be described as a huge chalice (my first thought was Pimp Cup), filled with a cool and refreshing sangria– without any of chunks of wine soaked fruit getting stuck in the straw. Jordan, as it turns out, knows what he’s talking about. The ceviche arrived next on an oblong plate divided into three sections: octopus, fish, and shrimp. Each prepared the same and included tiny bits of tomatoes, generous chunks of perfectly ripe avocado and as promised the freshest seafood I have ever had in Chicago. The preparation was so simple that we were instructed to take a lime from the cute wire basket on our table and squeeze fresh juice over the entire dish. The octopus was my favorite – just chewy enough not to be chewy and lacking nothing in flavor.

The other dish we tried was the whole fried Red Snapper. I generally shy away from whole fish – not because I don’t enjoy it but because I’m a hypocritical conservationist. I have trouble seeing the head and the eyes staring at me. Let me just say I got over it quickly and was soon enjoying the flavorful fish cooked with garlic and green onions. I’m embarrassed to admit that I eventually was picking up pieces with my fingers like other patrons – something only a place as affordable and relaxed, as El Barco Mariscos would welcome.

Labels: ceviche, chicago dining, chicago restaurants, dining blog, el barco mariscos, fete chicago, fete select tv, maddie, mexican, restaurants, sangria