Istmo
Day 2: 5-Course Elevated Oaxacan Tasting Series
As any foodie knows, Oaxacan cuisine is one of the world’s undeniable greats, and this Oaxacan restaurant, which opened last July in Lakeview, celebrates that cuisine. Istmo was quickly named to Chicago Magazine’s “10 Hottest Restaurants” List and Eater’s List of “Best New Restaurants in Chicago.” Chef Carlos Lopez Munoz, a Oaxaca native, fully embraces the culinary heritage of his home region, El Istmo (The Ishthmus). Landing in Chicago, he cooked with Michelin-Starred Chef Carlos Gaytan at Le Mexique and Chef Rick Bayless, known for his expertise in Mexican cuisine. Istmo’s dishes are too diverse and too complex for us to list any samples here, but Eater singles out the “fantastic mole,” cocktails that are “among the prettiest in town,” and the pineapple aguachilie “so good you’ll be licking the bowl.” And it’s all served up in a modern, sophisticated setting that recalls the best of hip Oaxaca. What more can we say? Be there or be square!
About the Host:
Carlos Lopez Muñoz
Chef/Owner
Chef Carlos Lopez Muñoz hails from the vibrant tapestry of Oaxaca, Mexico. Armed with a formal culinary education from Oaxaca, he took his skills to the bustling city of Chicago, where he honed his craft alongside luminaries like Michelin-Starred Chef Carlos Gaytan and the iconic Chef Rick Bayless.
The Lineup
All courses will be individually plated. This menu will be Mushroom Free. For the list of restrictions Chef is accommodating, scroll to the bottom of this page.
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Mole Rosa
pistachio & beet pink mole, seared hokkaido scallop, goat cheese
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Ensalada Istmeña
grilled little gem, tahini-honey dressing, queso istmeño, toasted morita chile
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Ceviche Tostada
fluke, salsa molcajete style, cucumber, jicama, red onion, cilantro, tostada tatemada
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Mole Negro
braised short rib, potato purée isthmus-style
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Mocha Tres Leches
chocolate sponge cake, coffee tres leches, vanilla whipped cream, istmo espresso caviar
Istmo
3231 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
Event FAQs
- Do guests need to be of a certain age to attend this event?
- Yes. All attendees must be 21+ to gain entry.
- Does this restaurant allow BYOB?
- No. This restaurant is a non-BYO establishment. Outside alcohol will not be permitted at this event.
- Will this event be handicap acccessible?
- According to the restaurant, this event is handicap accessible. If applicable however, please email support@tastingcollective.com with your needs to ensure proper accommodations.
- What is the event ticket cancellation/refund policy?
- Restaurants purchase the food for our events 14 days before the event date, at which point we are on the hook for the cost of your ticket. As such, we are not able to offer refunds (or credits towards future events) for any cancellation requests submitted within 14 days of the event date. We will, however, issue full refunds for all cancellation requests submitted at least 14 days before the event date. All cancellation requests must be submitted via email to support@tastingcollective.com.
- What dietary restrictions/food allergies can be accommodated at this event?
- Due to the large-format nature of our events, restaurants are not able to accommodate all dietary restrictions/food allergies or make any menu adjustments based on food preferences (e.g distaste for specific ingredients/flavor profiles). This restaurant will be offering substitutions exclusively for the following restrictions/allergies: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Allium, Dairy, Gluten, Fish, Shellfish, Nut. If you have any of these restrictions/allergies, please make sure to note this in your profile (in the “Event Preferences” section) either before or right after purchasing your tickets so Chef can prepare accordingly.
