Topolobampo Restaurant Review

445 N. Clark St. (Hubbard St.) Send to Phone

Rick Baylessâ€™ upscale Mexican restaurant is as exciting (and booked) as ever.

Topolobampo Restaurant is one of our 2012 | Top 10 Chicago Mexican Restaurants | Top 10 Chicago Food Rating Restaurants |

Watch our exclusive interview with chef Rick Bayless on GAYOT.com's YouTube Channel.
• Check out GAYOT.com's review of chef Rick Bayless' cookbook, Fiesta at Rick's.

Cuisine

Mexican

Open

Lunch Tues.-Fri., Dinner Tues.-Sat.

Features

Heart-healthy dishes
Private room(s)
Full bar
Reservations suggested
Valet parking
Casual

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Adjacent to Frontera Grill but with a separate dining room, this creation of owner-chef Rick Bayless forges on as one of the best Mexican restaurants in the country. The refined approach is cutting edge and avoids clichÃ©s, so the food is always exciting. The menu changes (at least) monthly, but a dish of slow-cooked lamb carnitas with avocado-tomatillo and arbol chile-toasted sesame salsas gives you an idea where itâ€™s headed. In the past, weâ€™ve grooved on the red chile-marinated Gunthorp duck breast with roasted tomato sauce (itâ€™s accented with chipotle, bacon and pineapple and served alongside spaghetti squash and chipotle-glazed shiitakes). Another winner is the pan-roasted Maine lobster in red mojo de ajo with salt cod croquetas, pickled ramps, chayote and crispy chile threads. Bayless is among the forerunners for local, responsibly raised food; pay mind to the sustainable seafood bar, with its shucked-to-order oysters and several tongue-singeing types of ceviche. Desserts run along the lines of tarts and chocolate creations, and they're quite good.