{Foodie Gram}

Red Velvet Shake @realurbanbbq 😍 😍 😍the executive chef is an evil genius, he created this. #eattheburbs #eattheburbsblog via Instagram @EatTheBurbs

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{Foodie Gram}

I devoured this #brisket #turkey & #pulledpork from @realurbanbbq everything was 🙌 🙌 🙌 so good! Opening to the public tomorrow. Do yourself a favor and go. #eattheburbs #bbqporn #smokebrook #eattheburbsblog via Instagram @EatTheBurbs

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{Foodie Gram}

This California Club pizza was delicious @californiapizzakitchen and spending time chatting with my oldest was the highlight of my time there. #eattheburbsblog #eattheburbs via Instagram @EatTheBurbs

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{Review: El Tapeo Restaurant}

As you guys know Eat The Burbs is In Love with Suburban Dining, we've been telling everyone who will listen that the Chicago suburbs are chock full of some of the best restaurants in the country. 

Recently we visited the newly opened El Tapeo in Oakbrook on the 9^th floor of the Le Meridien Hotel.  Our visit was on a Saturday night, the place was full and the vibe was awesome. We entered at the rear of the hotel, headed straight for the elevators up to floor nine.  Once we were off of the elevator there were a few short steps to the hostess stand; she immediately greeted us with a smile and thanked us for coming in.  The hostess set the tone for our night, she was very warm, unlike some of the hosts you encounter at similar upscale restaurants.  We were lucky enough to be there for The Sound Factory, live entertainment with featured artists on Friday and Saturday nights (9p-1a).  After greeting us and verifying our reservations (you’ll want to make one) she escorted us over to the bar area to wait while they prepared our table.  The bar has a total downtown Chicago vibe, with fashionable people of varying ages, great lighting and gorgeous bartenders. 

Although we usually stick to wine, the cocktail program at El Tapeo is impressive; created by a master mixologist the selection and prices are on par with some of the more popular cocktail menus in the city of Chicago. We decided to forgo wine and try a few drinks, the Moscow Mule (sans copper mug), Red Sangria, and a top shelf amaretto concoction were all delicious.  They also offer wine along with draft and bottled beers.


OK on to the reason you’re reading this post, THE FOOD. Wow, the food, it was beyond delicious.  We ordered a round of starter tapas, followed by a little heavier fair, then ended with an awesome dessert.  Here goes:

·       Dátiles (fried medjool dates stuffed with almonds & wrapped in bacon)
·       Selección de Embutidos (selection of shaved ibérico, serrano, chorizo & fuet)
·       Salpicón Cangrejo de Mar (jumbo lump crab, avocado & blood orange)
·       Setas (sautéed wild mushrooms & la serena cheese)
·       Pollo (free range roasted chicken breast, romesco sauce , toasted almonds & harrisa butter)
·       Carne Asada (wagyu skirt steak, arugula, manchego & piquillo pepper)
·       Costillas Estofadas (rioja wine, boneless beef short ribs, olive oil potatoes & shallots)
·       Coles de Bruselas (brussel sprouts, imberico bacon & sherry gastrique)
·       Buñuelos (pineapple fritter, vanilla ice cream & compressed pineapple)
·       Golden Beets (a delicious off-menu item)

Each plate was more delicious than the last, sent out to the table in the perfect order, originally we hadn’t ordered the short rib dish, because we figured we’d be to full, but Chef Diaz suggested that we try it and I’m so glad we did.  Although every dish was delicious, there were some standout favorites at our table.  The bacon wrapped dates, wagyu carne asada, beef short ribs, wild mushrooms, and golden beets were definitely among our favorites.  Chef Diaz and his team have thoughtfully laid out the menu and they clearly understand and respect quality ingredients. 

The El Tapeo experience is like a multi-city vacation on small plates.  A trip I’d take over and over again. 

Do you like Tapas? Looking for cool new places to try?  Let us know in the comments below or hit us up on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.  You can find us @EatTheBurbs on all social media.

El Tapeo 

2100 Spring Road · Le Méridien Chicago

Oakbrook Center · Oak Brook, IL

Phone: (630) 828-2044

*my meal was complimentary, I was not compensated for this post.  All opinions expressed herein are my own

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