Because the saying goes, “when one door closes, one other one opens” and that by no means has rung extra true than within the restaurant trade. Particularly right here in Chicago, the place beloved mainstays could be changed by contemporary and progressive locales that rapidly grow to be neighborhood favorites. That was the case when Bongo Room’s location in Andersonville shuttered in March 2024 after greater than a decade serving the group. Nonetheless, neighbors didn’t have to attend lengthy to enter by the identical doorways and revel in new and thrilling choices from Tala Home, which opened in Could.
With the philosophy of “cooking with no boundaries,” Tala Home chooses to deal with culinary creativity and high quality. On the menu, you gained’t discover only one sort of delicacies, reasonably, company will journey by dishes that replicate influences from world wide, all domestically sourced and crafted with care.
Main off the thought of “cooking with no boundaries”, the Tuna Crudo Tostada is one among our favourite methods to start the culinary journey that’s eating at Tala Home. A crispy tostada is loaded with a smear of avocado mousse and smattering of delicate tuna crudo. Each habanero and sesame oils hit the nostril earlier than each chew, sending your senses right into a craze you gained’t quickly overlook!
One thing we tried on a previous go to impartial of CFM was the Labneh, which was introduced out complimentary by the kitchen. We had been so impressed, we knew we HAD to get it once more our second time round. A easy preparation, Tala Home’s labneh is seasoned with punchy sumac and aleppo pepper earlier than entire, fire-kissed shishito peppers add a contact of warmth to the plate. Go for a aspect of crackers, bread and/or veggies and ensure to mop up each final bit.
The one excuse one ought to have for not ordering the Chermoula Shrimp is that if they’ve a shellfish allergy. In any other case, GET THIS DISH. It’s far and away the perfect appetizer on the menu and I don’t say that calmly as a result of all of the appetizers are scrumptious. This shareable has every little thing: earthiness, consolation, acidity and sweetness, due to the magical mix of herbs, toasted cumin and coriander, and saffron making a rouge chimichurri that tops the perfectly-seared shrimp and creamy mashed potatoes.
The turf to the surf-heavy menu consists of the succulent Prime Allen Brothers Filet Mignon, really useful by the wait workers over the choice Skirt Steak. Sink your tooth into the beneficiant 6 ounce portion, pan seared and nestled on high of a bouncy portabella mushroom, all drizzled with a wealthy porto wine sauce.
The star of the entree menu, in our humble CFM opinion, is the Crusted Risotto Halibut. Think about the best halibut filet topped with crispy risotto all atop an immensely flavorful tomato-based sauce of fennel, onions, capers and anchovies. Now that you simply’ve obtained that image in your head and might see it under, order this excellent entree whenever you get to Tala Home.
Every of Tala Home’s photo-worthy desserts are given female names, together with Emilia, Lyla, Josephine and extra. They’re actually shareable for 2 however may also be consumed by a person who has left sufficient room after dinner! Our high two faves embrace the “unique” Lyla, a mousse with vibrant mango and fervour fruit pureed with coconut and adorned with contemporary kiwi and pineapple; and the indulgent Josephine, one other mousse made with milk chocolate and raspberry over a vanilla raspberry heart and chocolate biscuit. Snap a pic of this crimson chocolate glazed deal with earlier than you dive in!
Tala Home is situated inside the beloved outdated Bongo Room location in Andersonville at 5022 N Clark St. They’re open for dinner daily at 5pm and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 10am.
