Eager Oak Park eaters are flocking to savor thoughtfully crafted fare with an international flair at Amerikas located at 734 Lake Street.
Curious about this buzz-worthy spot, my husband and I snagged a table in their bustling dining room last Saturday for a pre-movie dinner. After savoring a bourbon cocktail called a Razz Fashioned, our swift and friendly server presented us with a trio of eclectic dishes.
We started out with Amerikas’ version of taquitos. I don’t know about you, but typically the word “taquito” leaves me thinking about the freezer aisle in the grocery store. Thankfully, Chef Armando Gonzalez brings a notable level of sophistication to the plate. Shatteringly crisp torillias filled with chicken are stacked and garnished wth salsa verde, pickled onion, and queso fresco. Yes, please.
Gonzalez is also whipping up a deceptivly complex roasted cauliflower and farro dish studded with carrots, almonds, and a smattering of hibiscus-arbol reduction sauce. As a cauliflower snob of sorts, I am happy to report this was one of the best bites I’ve had in Oak Park in recent months and the stand-out dish of the evening.
We rounded out our meal with scallops, habanero butter sauce, and black rice. Scallops are often hit-or-miss in a restaurant setting given their short cooking time and propensity to over cook, but these were seared to perfection. Overall, the dish was complex without over-reaching.
Amerikas is open and ready to welcome anyone passionate about a good meal! Check it out when you have the chance.
