Restaurant Review – Quiote

This week had me feeling a little more fancy! After the release of Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list in October, I couldn’t wait to try one of the restaurants. The Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants that provide high quality food for a good value. The designation is different than Michelin’s star awards, which are more prestigious. However, with such a competitive dining market in Chicago, the Bib Gourmand is a huge honor. I decided to try Quiote, a modern Mexican restaurant in Logan Square (2456 N. California Ave.) We started with cocktails at the Mezcal bar in the basement, called Todos Santos. The vibe downstairs is a little dark, but still friendly. We had a lovely time sitting at the bar, especially since we started with a flight of mezcal. The very knowledgeable staff walked us through four distinct types of mezcal from different regions of Mexico. They even left the bottles out for us so we could read more about each type. They also stopped back near the end of our flight to chat with us about our favorites and discuss the differences between each type. If you’re not a fan of straight mezcal, they also offer a good selection of cocktails that highlight their signature spirit. The restaurant upstairs is very open and bright, with a simple and inviting aesthetic. Sometimes, the chatter from other tables was a bit noisy, but it wasn’t terrible. The menu highlights upscale, but simple, takes on classic Mexican food. I ordered the Bone Marrow. Usually bone marrow is a bit gross to me, but I wanted to be adventurous. And I am so glad I was. The bone is sliced lengthwise, charred, and served with spectacular sourdough bread and avocado. It is absolutely fantastic. My friend ordered the Chicken en Mole and he said it was incredible. This dish features a deep and chocolatey mole that wonderfully complements the simplicity of the juicy chicken. I highly recommend Quiote. In an area with many heavy hitting restaurants, Quiote not only holds its own but sets the bar high for a great evening with wonderful Mexican food.

Quiote’s hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 5 to 10:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 11 pm, and Sundays from 5 to 10 pm. Lunch hours are Wednesdays through Fridays from 11 am to 3:30 pm. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2:30 pm. The restaurant is completely closed on Tuesdays. Todos Santos is open from 5 pm to 2 am, extending to 3 am on Saturdays. Find more information and make your reservation here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO