I love going to out to dinner! The problem is, I always end up eating so much, that any subsequent plans I have after dinner usually don’t happen because I have no energy to make it to the next spot.
A few weeks ago, I heard about this really cool restaurant called ARTango Bistro in Lakeview. I was told that it’s a great place for dinner and dancing all in one (no re-locating necessary)! Now I’m not much of a tango dancer (let alone a dancer of any sort), but this sounded like fun! I liked the idea of having the activity in the same place as dinner so I would have no excuses not go! When I checked the schedule online, I noticed they had free tango lessons on Tuesday-Thursday every week! I figured even if the food wasn’t phenomenal, at least I would get a fun date night in.
Well, phenomenal ended up being an understatement with regards to the food! This place is truly a foodie destination and one that I recommend everyone in Chicago check out.
When you go, here are the 5 things you should order:
1) Tiradito Orientals: The fish at ARTango Bistro is so fresh. I can promise you that whatever seafood you order, it is going to be phenomenal. However, my favorite raw dish of the night was this delicious salmon dish with a flavorful pisco/citrus/ginger juice, arugula and crispy phylo dough. Not only was it super tasty, it was beautiful plated as well (a trend you will notice throughout the meal).
2) Empanada: These handmade, baked (not fried) empanadas are simply perfect. I tried every variety (they offer a beef, veggie and ham & cheese) and it is hard for me to pick a favorite! I recommend ordering one of each and sharing them with whoever your with. Whatever you choose to do, you can’t go wrong by ordering the empanadas. Totally authentic!
3) Entraña: I don’t speak spanish, but luckily the menu told me exactly what this was. Essentially, this dish is just skirt steak with a chimichuri sauce, mashed potatoes and guacamole. It sounds simple, but this was SO good (one of the best things I had). I’m usually not the biggest skirt steak fan because it can be a little tough, but the server recommended it so I decided to go with it. Boy am I glad I did! Check out a photo in the title of the blog post!
4) Paella Del Sur: I’ve eaten a lot of paella in my day, and ARTango Bistro is one of the few spots in Chicago that actually gets it right. It’s crispy on the bottom and creamy through out. Their version is LOADED with seafood, so if that’s not you’re thing, you might want to steer clear. I’m a seafood lover, so for me, this was absolutely perfect. Also, it’s huge so make sure you split this with a friend (or 10).
5) Crepes Dulces: What a perfect way to finish off my meal! This unbelievable dulce de leche crepe is still in my dreams most nights (yes I dream of food). I am still thinking about how satisfyingly sweet it was!
To top of the awesome night, the tango dancing lesson was actually really fun! I wish I could say that I was better at it, but it was easy to follow along and I know I’ll be back to try it again soon.
Love always,
Erica
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