Frontera Grill/Topolobampo Bar, River North, Chicago

Topolobampo Menu, River North, Chicago

Topolobampo, River North, Chicago

Last night we went to Topolobampo to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and other things. I’d forgotten I’d even mentioned our celebration in the Open Table reservation until our dessert came out. It was a nice touch for them to pay attention. Other times we’ve gone out for birthdays and things I’ve booked on Open Table and noted the event and the restaurant hasn’t even paid attention. Props to Topolo for that!

Since I moved to Chicago and learned a lot about Rick Bayless I’d been dying to try out Topolobampo or Frontera Grill. I had a really good time and the food was great. Our waitress was a tad on the slow side, but since Topolo was just nominated for a James L. Beard award for “Outstanding Service,” I’ll forgive them. The current menu is different than the one online.. For an appetizer I had these mushrooms cooked in parchment and served with tortillas and Dallas had fresh shrimp tacos in a red sauce. Then for a main course I had halibut in a pepper/tomatillo sauce and some of these breaded fried potato balls. Really good. Dallas had a dish with lobster and a creamy sauce. For dessert he had the chocolate empanado and I had this amazing coconut cake with chocolate ice. So full now!