I recently witnessed a crime in Lake Viewof the culinary kind.
I was walking through Boystown on a recent weekend, and a certain popular Swedish restaurant ( all right, Ann Sather ) was bustling as usualand justifiably so, as those cinnamon rolls are an institution. However, about two blocks away, Revolucion Mexican Steakhouse ( 3443 N. Broadway; revolucionsteakhouse.com/ ) was relatively empty. This is a shame, because the fare here is remarkably good.
Executive Chef Lupe Navejas and General Manager Jorge Antonio ( or "Tony" ) Estrada have crafted an amazing brunch selection at the two-year-old restaurant, with fare divided into savory and sweet items.
My dining companion and I started off things with, respectively, a Premium Bloody Mary and a Chocolate Abuelita ( which I didn't know is an established brand ). We both enjoyed the drinks, with the hot chocolate ( topped with whipped cream ) definitely hitting the spot.
Navejas was kind enough to arrange a sampling of various savory and sweet dishes to eat, and we didn't know where to start, as the presentation was amazing, to say the least. Fortunately, the quality of the food matched ( and may have surpassed ) said presentation.
On the savory side, we tried two takes on huevos Benedictos ( which involve serrano-corn cakes, poached eggs and chipotle hollandaisejust scintillating! ), poblano relleno ( fire-roasted poblanos stuffed with scrambled eggs porn carnitas, queso fresco, cilantro and pickled red onions over ranchera salsa ) and, our fave, the huarache de barbacoa ( corn masa tortilla filled with eggs, beef, salsa pasilla, black beans and queso fresco ).
Amazingly, the sweets managed to be just as good. Offerings included horchata French toast ( worth the price of admission alone, as they say ) and blueberry margarita pancakes ( served with blueberry margarita compote and dulce de leche cream, topped with a brown sugar-and-oat crust ). Every dish we tried was as good as it seemed on the menua rarity with restaurants, trust me.
Of course, no one should bypass the guacamole, which is practically on par with the guac at Kokopellithe place that kickstarted my love of the dish. There are several varieties at Revolucion as well, including traditional and seasonal.
Somehow, we retained ( a little ) room for dessertbut we were so glad we did. One item was basically bread pudding served as a tamale, while the other was a delightfully sinful double chocolate cake. Other items include pastel de tres leches, choco-flan and traditional flan.
I have to admit I didn't know what to expectespecially after seeing the decor, which includes a photo of famed revolutionary Pancho Villa. ( However, the setting turned out to be more thought-provoking than anything else. ) Also, there are television screens in case diners want to catch up on sports, and the 40-seat Pistoleros Room can be rented for events.
So give Revolucion a chance; it deserves to be noticed. If, by some miracle, you don't like the food there are always the cinnamon rolls down the street.
Note: On Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., Revolucion is hosting a four-course dinner featuring mezcales de leyenda. For example, pollo Oaxaqueno is paired with A Smoky Paloma while arroz con leche will be served with a flight of mezcalesall for $39.99. See www.eventbrite.com/e/mezcales-de-leyenda-dinner-at-revolucion-steakhouse-tickets-14025736355 .