Last year when we were performing the Neutrino Project as a late-night show at the Improv Kitchen, I got into a routine -- every night after the show the whole crew would head over the Twisted Spoke and I'd have a beer and ceviche, which they serve in a hearty pint glass. I was devastated when, late in the run, my waiter announced that ceviche was a seasonal item and they had switched to their winter menu.
So, now that summer has returned, I've decided to get a little obsessive and make this my Summer of Ceviche -- I'm going to try to hit as many places in town as possible that serve fish 'cooked' in acidic fruit juices (that is, ceviche).
I started with the closest restaurant to my house that serves ceviche -- Ole Ole (5413 N Clark). Ole Ole has two varieties of ceviche -- a mixed seafood (shrimp, calimari, scallop) marinated in a tomato base, and a fish of the day (which was Mako Shark on our visit) marinated in a lime juice. I wanted to get both, and we decided to fill out our meal with some of their appetizer and tapas selection. The last place I ate small-plate style food (cough, Lennox Lounge*) the portions were tiny, so with that in mind we ordered an array of items. It turns out the portions are not small at Ole Ole. There were two of us, but we had enough food for four. And we only spent $60 (with two drinks each).
The food was great -- the black beans and rice and fried plantains were both surprisingly good for side dishes. My Caipirinha was tasty and plenty strong. And the ceviches were everything I hoped for -- tangy, fish-ful, the shellfish ceviche somewhat spicier.
Oh, and for desert we just walked across the street to bon bon (5410 N Clark) and got a truffle each. Theoretically they close at 8 on the weekends, but the owner, Elizabeth, told us that she stays open as long as there's traffic (which let us get in at 8:30) and that she was considering longer summer hours.
* Don't get me wrong about the Lennox Lounge -- the food was great, the staff was friendly, the atmosphere is delightful. Just, you know, small portions.
(Originally posted on the Chicago Metblog, Jun 12, 2006: My Summer of Ceviche - Ole Ole)
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