Holy moly—this is the place to get mole!
The place? Cultura comida y bebida to be proper. Culture Food & Drink to be translated.
The mole? Smoked pork cheek in a mole sauce that combines traditional ingredients of chocolate and spices with emphasis on the spices and less on the chocolate. It’s served with saffron tortillas—hot, crispy, and yet just-right fluffy. This outstanding dish deserves its signature dish designation. Ron ordered it and I’m so glad he did.
I chose the summer chile relleno stuffed with summer corn, zucchini, red bell pepper, goat cheese, Monterey jack cheese and herbs and arugula set on top of heirloom tomato salsa. Besides having a pleasant, subtle flavor, the salsa is surprisingly light and airy, which makes it…unexpected. It’s a nice complement to the relleno.
That said, with all the “oh, mans!” echoing from Ron’s side the of the table, I swiped some of his saffron tortillas and dipped them into that mole sauce and well, it’s my choice for our next visit. The best mole I’ve enjoyed to date. And those saffron tortillas?