Barrio

Barrio Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: Every corner of this Mexican restaurant makes a statement, from the enormous circular green-colored booths to the industrial light fixtures and the cordoned-off tables large enough for parties of 10. Given its location in nightlife central River North, the eatery is its own exclamation point in a zone of restau-lounges. However, there’s another demo that the establishment is targeting: on-the-go professionals. La Bodega, the fast-casual joint next door, is a pit stop for soft-serve ice cream, churros and breakfast tacos.

Likes: Swift service and solid food.
Dislikes: None.

Food & Drinks: DineAmic Group (Prime & Provisions, Siena Tavern) enlists “Top Chef” alum Katsuji Tanabe as top toque at this upscale Mexican eatery. Open for lunch, brunch and dinner, the restaurant doesn’t overlook details; the house tacos are hand-pressed macienda corn tortillas layered with savory barbacoa or more expensive cuts such as tomahawk rib-eye. Blue crab taquitos with roasted yellow chile salsa are crispy and tropical. Brunch options include a barbacoa short rib hash with caramelized sweet potato and decadent chilaquiles that can be customized with pork belly carnitas. Several tequilas and mezcal ground the cocktail menu. For dessert, you won’t regret ordering the cocoa taco or tres leches cake.