Luxe Beat Magazine JANUARY 2015 | Page 68

Meson Sabika 172 guestrooms and suites, as well as an Executive Club Lounge. Whether staying at Le Meridien or not, I recommend a relaxing spa treatment at Le Meridien’s Spa Suites the first to offer the spa suite that I know of in the Chicago area. Afterwards, meet your friend(s) for authentic Spanish tapas at El Tapeo. Located on the ninth oor of Le eridien, the 58-seat restaurant features oor to ceiling, wrap around windows with a separate bar and lounge. Meson Sabika Escalivada con Queso The menu is the genius of culinary artist and Chicago native, Chef Franco Diaz. With his emphasis on great food with quality ingredients and refined avors, this place will appeal to gourmands with a wide variety of palates. Meson Sabika Queso de Cabra Since my friend has a shell fish allergy, I knew I would have to forgo delectable choices such as the Croquetas de Marisco (crispy lobster and prawn fritters and piquillo aioli), Gambas (shrimp sautéed with garlic), and Pulpo (Spanish octopus terrine with 68 potatoes and pimento oil). After friendly deliberation with my friend and the waiter, we chose the following: From the tapas section: Datiles fried medjool dates stuffed with almonds and wrapped in bacon). From the embutidos y quesos section (cured sausage and cheese): Seleccion de Quesos (selection of three Spanish cheeses, almonds, and olives). From the sopas y ensaladas section (soup and salad): Sopa de Calabasa (roasted butternut squash bisque, granny smith apples, serrano ham and mahon cheese) and Salpicon Cangrejo de Mar (jumbo lump crab, avocado and blood orange). This last selection was for me only, as I just had to try at least one shell fish. rom mariscos y carnes fish and meat): Carne Asada (wagyu skirt steak, arugula, manchego and piquillo pepper) and Estofado Carrillada de Cerdo (rioja wine braised pork cheek, olive oil