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MIRASOL
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By Christine Imbs
Mirasol means “looking at the sun,” but The Loop’s newest addition to the restaurant scene actually got its name from the aji mirasol, a fruity and medium-hot chile. Either way, the name seems appropriate.
The cuisine at Mirasol is Nuevo Latino, influenced by the unique flavors in Central American, Cuban and South American dishes. The serving style is similar to tapas, which are actually Spanish appetizers, generally served with wine. But nowadays, tapas are more or less any hot or cold dish that can be served in small portions. The concept offers diners the chance to sample a variety of dishes without overeating.
“They’re actually small, very light, very healthy dishes,” says Manager Tom Schmidt. “The idea is to choose several different dishes and share. This allows you to sample a wide variety of things. It’s a very social way of eating.”
And it’s perfect for those looking for a unique taste experience. Most prominent on the menu are the ceviches. These are classic Latin fish dishes where the fish is marinated in citrus juice. The citric acid in the juice actually cooks the fish and adds flavor at the same time.
Most ceviches cost $9, including the Salmon Ceviche, with creamy horseradish sauce, chayote-apple slaw and crispy sage. Also for $9 is the Ecuadorian Ceviche, with shrimp, roasted tomato, sweet peppers, avocado, herbs and corn nuts. The Honduran Ceviche is a bit more expensive at $11, pairing tuna with coconut milk, lime, ginger, jalapeno and pickled onion.
If ceviches aren’t your style, the menu also includes a variety of chilled or warm dishes. Salpicon de Mariscos—tortilla cups with jumbo lump crab and lobster salad in blood orange vinaigrette with avocado foam—is on the high end of the chilled dishes at $11. Estofada Criolla—boneless short ribs stuffed with calabaza and roasted garlic in a red wine sauce with dried peaches—is a warm dish that rated high with food critics and will run you $8.
Generally speaking, each portion is enough for a couple to split or for a party of four to sample many dishes. Schmidt says you should really expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $40 per person depending on the drinks.
The salad and soup offerings are perhaps a bit more familiar to the average diner. They include a green salad with oven-dried tomatoes and citrus-chive dressing for $5, and a hearts of palm salad with sweet peppers, cheese and toasted cumin dressing for $6. There is also chicken chowder for $7 and a soup of the day featuring seasonal ingredients for $6.
Choosing a wine with all these flavors can be daunting, but Mirasol offers a good selection specifically chosen to enhance the flavors in their dishes. A single glass costs between $5 and $10, while bottle prices range from $20 to $50.
If you are looking for something a bit different in the way of beverages, Mirasol also offers drinks with a Latin flair, such as the Cuban Mojito, a classic Latin drink with Bacardi Coco and an infusion of coconut puree ($8).
Though Mirasol is a bit on the adventurous side, Schmidt says diners can rely on the waiting staff to answer questions and give suggestions. “Our servers are very good about helping our customers with their selections,” he says. “They know how the portions run and what flavors go best with one another.
TALKING POINTS
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Mirasol
6144 Delmar Boulevard
Lunch:
Monday through Saturday
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dinner:
Monday through Thursday
5 to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday
5 to 11:30 p.m.
Sunday
5 to 10 p.m.
Phone: (314) 721-6909 |
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