Writing a piece for this place is as chore of appreciation because this place, in a phrase, is damn good! It takes the traditional flavors of Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries (like El Savador) and elevates them to mighty tasting food and drink that stands confidently in French technique and nuanced flavors that are also bold in nature. Yep, this place is damn good!
I have been once there before, and I remember three things about that visit. The first is their pork chop. The menu describes the pork chop as such: 24oz Bone in Berkshire Pork Chop topped with our House Made Compound Butter. Served with 2 eggs and potatoes. The cost of this plated chop is 40 dollars so it is definitely not a breakfast meat for the faint of wallet. But the chop was juicy, really succulent, and probably stands as a pork chop that I remember most fondly, if not top three easy. Its subtle char, its thick presence, an ode to the chop would not do it justice. The second thing (really human being) that I remember was the owner. He provided me his phone number so I could call him if I ever needed to skip their wait line but I misplaced his number. Yet, I remembered that their weekend wait can run close to an hour. So I arrived 30 minutes early before I met a friend. And we waited another 30 minutes to get in but the wait was worth it, absolutely.
Before I get into the specifics of the meal, I want to recount that we were celebrating her birthday. And for me a birthday meal always needs to have a sweet finish, just like a train ride needs a caboose to feel complete. I have also been around the dinner table enough to know that different places have varying policies on around a birthday treat. Some places put a candle atop the cake while still charging you for the dessert, while others solely provide the treat, with appreciation and no extra charge. I am brave enough to inquire about their policy that way ordering can be decided upon strategically. I explained to the owner that we were celebrating a birthday and asked about their policy. We had paid our bill, the dishes had been taken away, and I asked the owner again. My friend, a little embarrassed I am sure, was like that's enough using her hands. She must not have liked the attention or the risk of us being seen as pushy or freeloaders. The owner explained that he had placed something for us, and brought it. It was a Salvadorean quesadilla, which is more of a sweet bread, than a cheese quesadilla that is more commonly delivered by Mexican cuisine. The quesadilla had ice cream, berries and a decorative flower. I am not sure how she felt after we received it, and enjoyed it, but I hope she knows it was nothing but an attempt to help her new year of life be that much sweeter.
She had the chilaquiles. The chip of their chilaquiles is crisp to the point of perfection. The oil taste is subtle, and the salsa and other ingredients due not subdue the structural integrity of the chip. Meaning that the chip is a sturdy vehicle for the meat and sauces that comprise the dish. I had the chorizo breakfast burrito that is described as a chorizo and Potato scrambled with 2 Eggs. Flour Tortilla, wrapped in a cheese crust. Topped with Sour Cream, Pickled Red Onions, Avocado and a Fried Egg. Choice of Red or Green Sauce. The cheese crust is like a second tortilla that enhances the burrito to haute couture dining. How? It takes what is known and transforms into a surprise that feels familiar yet new. It is a total moment of why did I not think of that? I also got the chorizo with red and green sauce, the owner called it divorced sauce and I called it Christmas style-. Either way the taste was truly phenomenal and transported me from flavors I know well to flavors that seemed fresh and exciting. It was Mexican food for a brave new world.
I also had a pink latte. Yes, I got it because I wanted to taste pink, not just wear it. The pink latte is described as an Organic Beet Powder, Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove, Cardamom, Himilayan Sea Salt and Black Pepper sweetened with Vanilla. I like beets in salads, but here the drink was too earthy for my liking. Like one time I had a Tumeric latte and I felt the same way. So I sipped and enjoyed the novelty but I would not spring for this pink drink again, sorry Barbie.
This place is worth the visit despite the one hour wait. read more