Meson Sabika - Best Tapas Around (Chicago-Area Restaurant Review 8)

We absolutely love Meson Sabika. Lisa has always liked tapas. Steve is a recent convert, largely due to Lisa. There are not many tapas restaurants of note in the Chicago area, and usually this restaurant is not thought of in the top group, but, believe us, it is the best. First, the setting, an old mansion, is a wonderul, relaxing backdrop for tapas. On our recent visit, we did have to wait quite a while, but that was okay because it gave us a chance to sit at the very atmospheric bar. The bar is dark wood, and the pictures hanging behind it look like they are from the nineteenth century. The bottles on display are colorful. Both of our Spanish red wines were very good. (But, sorry, we don't recall the names of the wine.)

Unlike other tapas restaurants, everything on the menu sounds good, and we've liked everything we've tried. This time was no exception. We started with the garlic potato salad, which, while good at most tapas places, is unbelievable at Meson Sabika. Very strong garlic. We could eat several bowls of it. We ordered a plate of Spanish cheeses and fruit. The soft cheeses were the best, but all were good. We also tried one meat, one fish, and one chicken dish. All were excellent. Desserts aren't really the specialty of tapas restaurants, but Meson Sabika has excellent choices. Two of Lisa's favorites are the poached pear and the profiteroles. The poached pear is drizzled with cinammon cream, and comes with vanilla ice cream and raspberry sauce that bring out the pear flavor. The bittersweet chocolate sauce (you knew there would be chocolate somewhere) on the profiteroles is the best Lisa ever had, which is saying a lot.

For a change, the men's room was acceptable to Steve, since it was clean and pleasant smelling with no dearth of towels. Lisa found the women's bathroom very clean, with lit scented candles.

All in all, this restaurant is a great experience. Come with a group if you can so you can try the maximum number of these great dishes.

With wines by the glass, dinner was approximately $100 and worth every penny.

Our rating for Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Avenue, Naperville, Illinois:

9 out of 10 Steak Knives; 2.5 out of 3 Bathroom Brushes.