oybolshoi
DIS Legend
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2004
- Messages
- 11,879
Today Jay and I ventured out into the world to spend some money. I found us a $25 gift certificate on restaurants . com yesterday for only $5 at a place called Wapango in one of the malls that we like to visit. I suspected that Jay would like this place more than me since their menu is supposed to feature a fusion of Mexican, Cuban, Central and South American cuisines but I was willing to take one for the team especially if it meant that I could buy something at Coach afterwards. 
I don't have any pictures of the meal but I have to say that we were very pleasantly suprised at how just how good everything was. Rather than killing me and my tummy with an overload of heat and spices, they focused on flavor and presentation and I really liked everything that we tried - I would go back again in a heartbeat and would recommend this place to anyone.
So what did we have?
We started with an appetizer selection ... The Carnivale: a combination platter large enough to share with an empanada de queso, a Colombian arepa, a chicken quesadilla, red corn chicken taquitos, and tortilla crisps with pineapple salsa and black beans.
The cheesy empanada was stuffed to the brim with gooey goodness ... I think that was my favorite of everything but it was all very good. They also brought out hot, fresh rolls with dipping sauces and more black bean goo. I ate the bread without anything on it and it was divine ... hot, yeasty, and soft with just a hint of garlic butter.
That appetizer platter was huge, by the way, and for most people other than your intrepid Bendy and her darling Jay it would have been enough food. That probably explains our server's look of amazement when we each ordered an entree, too.
Jay ordered Tacos de la Calle: a choice of fresh roasted chicken, grilled steak, shredded pork carnitas or pan-seared tilapia on a warm flour tortilla, served with a variety of sauces and toppings on the side and with golden rice and black beans. Guests have the option of ordering two tacos for $12 and each additional taco is $4 or you can order all four for $17.
You wanna guess how many Jay ordered?
Yep, he went with all four and ate them all. I only tried the steak one, but I must say that the meat was very flavorful and tender, seasoned and cooked really well. The hubby's final verdict was eight thumbs up!
I ordered the Empanadas de Pollo, Queso, y Puerco: three handmade turnovers, one stuffed with roasted chicken, one with three cheeses and one with pork carnitas, served with Mexican crema, golden rice and sweet maduros.
Excellent! I ate the entire cheese empanada on my own and split the pig popover with Jay. I brought the chickie turnover home with the rest of my rice, those weird, fried plantains, and two delectable rolls. Jay's lunch for tomorrow is set.
As for beverages, I started with a Pisco Sour that was the most gawd-awful version of the drink I've ever had. I expect some sourness with this drink but this one was so bad that I still haven't completely unpuckered.
A little while later after forcing most of it down I confessed to the bartender that it just wasn't very good and she admitted that she hadn't used much sugar when mixing my drink. She also said that their version of Pisco (South American brandy, I think) wasn't very good. She told me to try something new so I requested the Pamarita which is Pama pomegranate liqueur, sauza hornitos tequila, hiram walker triple sec and sweet and sour. This was much better - the perfect blend of sweet and sour with a wee little slice of lime for garnish.
Jason stuck with beer and enjoyed a Dos Equis Amber, which was quite tasty.
All in all a wonderful late lunch / early dinner and we look forward to trying Wapango again. Next time I promise to have my camera because this meal would have made for great food porn - the appetizer presentation was especially eye-catching.
I don't have any pictures of the meal but I have to say that we were very pleasantly suprised at how just how good everything was. Rather than killing me and my tummy with an overload of heat and spices, they focused on flavor and presentation and I really liked everything that we tried - I would go back again in a heartbeat and would recommend this place to anyone.
So what did we have?
We started with an appetizer selection ... The Carnivale: a combination platter large enough to share with an empanada de queso, a Colombian arepa, a chicken quesadilla, red corn chicken taquitos, and tortilla crisps with pineapple salsa and black beans.
The cheesy empanada was stuffed to the brim with gooey goodness ... I think that was my favorite of everything but it was all very good. They also brought out hot, fresh rolls with dipping sauces and more black bean goo. I ate the bread without anything on it and it was divine ... hot, yeasty, and soft with just a hint of garlic butter.
That appetizer platter was huge, by the way, and for most people other than your intrepid Bendy and her darling Jay it would have been enough food. That probably explains our server's look of amazement when we each ordered an entree, too.
Jay ordered Tacos de la Calle: a choice of fresh roasted chicken, grilled steak, shredded pork carnitas or pan-seared tilapia on a warm flour tortilla, served with a variety of sauces and toppings on the side and with golden rice and black beans. Guests have the option of ordering two tacos for $12 and each additional taco is $4 or you can order all four for $17.
You wanna guess how many Jay ordered?
Yep, he went with all four and ate them all. I only tried the steak one, but I must say that the meat was very flavorful and tender, seasoned and cooked really well. The hubby's final verdict was eight thumbs up!
I ordered the Empanadas de Pollo, Queso, y Puerco: three handmade turnovers, one stuffed with roasted chicken, one with three cheeses and one with pork carnitas, served with Mexican crema, golden rice and sweet maduros.
Excellent! I ate the entire cheese empanada on my own and split the pig popover with Jay. I brought the chickie turnover home with the rest of my rice, those weird, fried plantains, and two delectable rolls. Jay's lunch for tomorrow is set.
As for beverages, I started with a Pisco Sour that was the most gawd-awful version of the drink I've ever had. I expect some sourness with this drink but this one was so bad that I still haven't completely unpuckered.
A little while later after forcing most of it down I confessed to the bartender that it just wasn't very good and she admitted that she hadn't used much sugar when mixing my drink. She also said that their version of Pisco (South American brandy, I think) wasn't very good. She told me to try something new so I requested the Pamarita which is Pama pomegranate liqueur, sauza hornitos tequila, hiram walker triple sec and sweet and sour. This was much better - the perfect blend of sweet and sour with a wee little slice of lime for garnish.
Jason stuck with beer and enjoyed a Dos Equis Amber, which was quite tasty.
All in all a wonderful late lunch / early dinner and we look forward to trying Wapango again. Next time I promise to have my camera because this meal would have made for great food porn - the appetizer presentation was especially eye-catching.
We made reservations for Fiamma and Nobhill at the MGM Grand. They both are offering spring tasting menus at a very nice price. Should be fun!!
We were going to have waffles for supper last night, but we thought the syrup tasted a little "off" (how can that happen? I guess just tasted like the plastic bottle), so we ditched it and just had grilled cheese. Your bourbon syrup sounds very yummy.
Nice to see you this morning! 
