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For whites, I had success with Torrontes and Viognier. For reds, I would avoid wines that tend to be high in alcohol (zin) or tannin (cab). Pinot Noir and Malbec have worked well. The heat from the chilies tends to amplify the hot finish on high alcohol wines and tannic wines have a harsh taste with spicy food.

For a white, I went with a 2008 La Vieille Ferme Blanc, which is $6.99 at Binny's. It's fruity and a little off-dry, so it cuts the heat of the spice in the starters well. For a red, I went with a 2007 Tres Ojos Garnacha, which is $7.99 from Binny's. The wine is deep enough for beef but works well with lighter dishes.

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John Danza

Phil Vettel reports in his Friday coulmn that Raul Arreola has left both Mixteco and Rustico.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertain ... 288.column

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trpt2345

I enjoyed an excellent meal at Mixteco last night, my first since Raul Arreola left. The ceviche seemed like a bigger portion than we've had in the past and it was bright as usual. We ordered the chorizo stuffed poblano for the first time and it was incredible. The spicy chorizo blended exquisitely with the smokey roasted poblano and the sweet caramelized onions. It was served with soft, hand made tortillas. The moles were complex as always.

No drop off as far as I could tell, and I have to say I'm pretty happy about that.

We went to Mixteco for lunch today, first time in a long while, first time since Raul opted out. The menu was a little different, no torta ahogada or grilled shrimp (except as an omlette prep). But recognizable. No perceptible difference in quality, prep or presentation. Everything we had was stellar, empanadas de picadillo, uchepos, sopa azteca, and tacos al carbon, the chicken variety. Nice to go there again, we missed it. Service was swift and efficient, tortillas made in house as always. No one wanted to say anything about Raul and the split, which is understandable. With the construction on Montrose they said business had been slow, but since it recently ended it's been picking up. I can wholeheartedly recommend it as much as ever.

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trpt2345

Had an impromptu dinner at Mixteco Grill last night (15 minute wait quoted at our neighborhood spot, El Tapatio and BF refuses to wait ) and it was pretty average. I like their house salsa--it's a green salsa, no heat but very flavorable. Upon request for something spicier they gave us a small ramekin of a habanero salsa which was a bit creamy and good level of heat (also saw that they charged us a buck for it which was a bit of a surprise). Started with some guacamole--their version is interesting--again no heat but lots of veggies--almost like a creamy salad--lettuce, tomatoes, radishes, onion and cukes mixed in with the creamy avocado. Lots of crunch but not much flavor without mixing in one of the salsas.

For entrees, BF had the grilled chicken in mole--not bad, not great, bird was kinda dry, the mole was well-spiced and nicely complex but BF said it didn't hold a candle to the place he loves in E. Chicago (Michoacano I think?) and it was pretty pricy at $17 for a simple grilled chicken breast with sauce). I had the Cochinita Pibil which I've had there before--wasn't bad either--a bit stringy in places, mushy in others--good bite, not as spicy as I usually like (and thought I remembered from the last time i ordered it), nice accompanying habanero salsa (chunkier and with more tomato than the one they brought for the chips but still with a good subtle heat level), flavorful if kind of pasty black beans and delicious pickled onions. Great fresh (made in house?) tortillas.

A lot of money for what it was. $48 before tip. No daily specials (at least none we were told about) and a pretty limited menu. I wouldn't rush back and to be honest, really prefer my little neighborhood spot, even if it's kind of a dive. And BYO mex is kind of unfortunate--I missed my margarita

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“The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they’re going to have some pretty annoying virtues.” Elizabeth Taylor

I was there in December with friends and our server said they discontinued daily specials.

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-Mary

We made it out to Mixteco Grill last night. I've been worried that since Raul Arreola left the place would go down hill. I'm happy to report it's as good as ever.

I'd never ordered the habanero salsa before, but after reading about it up thread I went for it. It is REALLY hot. At first I wasn't paying attention and I got burned big time. My eyes were watering for five minutes while my tongue cooled off. But for some reason, after the initial shock, I was better able to tolerate the heat. The salsa has a wonderful bright flavor that highlights the flavor of the chili, with perhaps a hint of orange juice. It lent great flavor to all of the dishes (you don't need much) even if I was the only one eating it. Also the chips were better than usual, crunchy and light. Our group of 5 tore through three baskets.

We started off with a handful of appetizers. The empenadas with huitlacoche were a particular standout. They have a nice crunchy, though not greasy shell with a generous amount of earthy mushrooms inside. The queso fundido was gooey and spicy as usual. For entrees we split the enchiladas in mole and the wood-grilled shrimp. The mole sauce was a little on the sweet side, though it had nice complexity, I balanced it out with the tomatillo salsa. The shrimp were fantastic. We brought some out-of-town friends whose eyes opened wide when the wood-grilled smell of the shrimp hit the table.

If I have one criticism it's that the menu rarely changes. We've had nearly every dish on the menu 3-4 times, so we rarely go without people who have never been before. It'd be nice if there were more variety, but I am happy to say they are still executing their menu as well as they ever have.

Went to Mixteco today for lunch, first time in a while. As good as always. Granted the menu doesn't change a lot but that's OK with me, I like everything on it. Steady crowd, good service as always and the BYOB is a great option.

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trpt2345

Ended up having Mom's Day brunch sort of impromptu after not having been here for at least a year. Everyone (3 adults, 2 kids) was very happy with today's meal.
I had the Huevos Motulenos ("two eggs over-easy served on tostadas with spicy mexican sausage, black beans, grilled zucchini, fried plantains and campechana sauce"). This seems to me like a dish that could easily turn into a pile of glop---eggs running over beans on top of a soggy tostada all drowning in sauce. Instead, everything on my plate retained its individual taste and texture, each element was done just right, and the whole thing was delightful. The eggs were perfectly over easy---just a bit of browning on the outside, lovely liquid yolks running out when breached. Crumbled sausage on top was just enough to accent, but not dominate. The grilled zuccini was firm but still cooked and with just enough char to add a little bitter tang, but without overwhelming the delicate flavor of zucchini. The bites of plantain were a great sweet, chewy complement to the savory rest. Perhaps most notable, the tostada underneath it all was perfectly crunchy, and that crunch added a lot to a dish that was otherwise all richness and softness. I confess that I don't know what campechana sauce is. I can only report that is was mild (heat-wise) but flavorful and a pale yellow-orange. Liked it a lot.

Our friend had the Huevos Al Bajio ("two poached eggs served in corn masa boats with black beans, creamy poblano sauce, chorizo, tomatoes and chopped cilantro "). Again, the basics being done right made the dish. The poached eggs were perfectly poached. The sauce was, again, mild but flavorful.

The kids each had sides of rice which they folded into tortillas. (Don't ask, I don't know.) But they commented on how much they liked the rice (fluffy, well salted). And they are connoisseurs of rice.

I liked the crunch of the veggies mixed in the guac., particularly the radish matchsticks scattered over the top.
I had to leave before dessert arrived, so I can't comment on the tres leches or warm choc. cake that were ordered.

Finally, it's so easy to spend $8-10 on a basic 2-ingredient diner omelet these days, that our plates at $9 seem like a genuine flavor bargain.

Two slightly worrisome notes: we called ahead fearing that on mother's day, we might not be able to just walk in. Called them at about 9:40AM, 20 min. before opening. No one picked up. Left a message on the machine asking for a call back if they thought they might be able to seat 5 at 11:30. Left my cell #. Hadn't heard back by 11:00, so I called again as we approached. Again, no one picked up the phone. Got there about 11:15 and the place was less than half full and we were seated directly. As already noted, we had a really good meal. But if you're doing less than 50% of your tables at prime brunch time, you might want to put someone on the phones.

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"Strange how potent cheap music is."

A year of crickets hence: found Mixteco busy, happy, and competent tonight before a Taj Mahal trio set for the ages at the Old Town School. Uchepos gratinados, guacamole (with tons of papalo), and chile relleno en escabeche, with house pickles and vinaigrette, were highlights. Pork chop and chorizo in manchamanteles and chicken enchiladas en mole negro were savory but didn't fully meld due to different component temperatures and saltiness. Special seafood rice featured some absolutely beautiful and well-cooked prawns, but a few unopened mussels.

These did not detract from the overall positive experience; we had an awesomely accommodating server, the ceviche was bright, tortillas homemade all night, and with Pacifico from the immediately kiddy-corner liquor store in hand, it reminded me of some nice nights at the Cicero Xni-Pec, and edged our last visit to Sol de Mexico.

My mom went with a big group and said she really liked it. She is totally not able to eat spicy food, and the server helped her find dishes they could do without it being spicy. She had a steak and said it was really delicious (normally it's in a spicy sauce, but they just left it off). She said the guacamole was very good too, although it was too spicy for her, so she could only have a little bit.

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Leek
SAVING ONE DOG MAY NOT CHANGE THE WORLD, BUT IT CHANGES THE WORLD FOR THAT ONE DOG.
American Brittany Rescue always needs foster homes. Please think about helping that one dog.
http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.org

My friends and I do an annual "girls night out" around the holidays with Mixteco Grill as the regular location. We were a little late this year due to busy schedules and sickness. We had 6:30 PM reservations on Friday, which seems to be a slower time in the restaurant. We split two orders each of guacamole and Uchepos Gratinados (corn tamales with creamy poblano sauce, monterrey jack cheese and esquites). It was hard not to lick the poblano sauce off the plate. I had the rack of lamb in their wonderful black mole. It was prepared perfectly medium rare as ordered. I quickly abandoned using silverware with the lamb because it was faster and more satisfying to eat straight from the bone. (My friends are very accepting of me. ) Not much sharing was done with our entrees, but I know everyone was pleased. We split a Sorpresa de Chocolate, described as dark flourless chocolate cake with a layer of kaluha white chocolate mousse. The server also brought us a Nino de Guava, which is cinnamon sponge cake filled with guava cream and fresh guavas. I was too full to really enjoy the desserts. By the time we left, the place was full. Service was excellent. I can't wait to go back.

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-Mary

Just to tie up a loose end upthread, Raul Arreola is back in the kitchen.

Hopefully that means more duck!

I felt like I hadnt seen it for a while since he left.

Anyone been lately? Is it crazy busy? We are thinking of going on Tuesday. Have only been once, several years ago, and it was so packed it was not really that pleasant for us (we're not fond of huge crowds, others may find it just right). Will probably go to Sol de Mexico if we don't go to Mixteco.

I went last summer, and it seemed less crowded than my visits from several years ago. Have you been since they expanded? It seemed a lot more cramped way back when they just had the one storefront on the corner. Once they expanded, with the larger dining room next door (to the west), it seems much more spacious. Also keep in mind that you can make a reservation, so there's no need to worry about waiting to be seated.

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"we must all understand that we're not all going to agree on everything, so let's just accept it -- hell, let's cherish it -- and move on." - ronnie_suburban

I agree, it's been less crowded my past couple visits.

Thanks. We were there after they had expanded, and had a reservation, and still had to wait about half an hour, in a very packed and unpleasant area where we were basically standing in everyone's way.

I am guessing a Tuesday night will be less crowded (can't recall what night we were there before, but I am guessing a weekend).

We're looking for somewhere that we won't feel rushed and won't have to shout to be heard.

I do recall the food as being terrific.

Please do report back, I'm curious to hear how they're doing now that Raul Arreola has returned.

Just to be clear...he could have returned over a year ago...I'm not sure of the timing.