Jump to content
Chapala.com Webboard

Xolo Cocina


Bisbee Gal

Recommended Posts

New eatery on Donata Guerra in #4's old place.  Opened about a week ago.  We happened by it on a walk.

Latin fusion, the female chef and owner is Argentine.

Clean, modern takes on Latin American standards.  Limited menu, prices reasonable for the quality.  Not huge heavy portions, instead it serves thoughtful well-seasoned dishes, not heavily sauced or plated with a ton of carbs.  More of a fine dining experience.  

The appetizer of fried calamari was not the standard breaded fare....it was little tidbits fried as crispy as chicharrones.  Served with a spicy salsa verde to dip into... 45 p.  We shared one, would get double order next time....they were that good.  

The ribs al pastor were not the standard steamed-then-sauced ribs served around town.  Instead they were achiote-rubbed then roasted till tender (served as a small rack).  Lots of meat, lots of flavor.  Meat fell off the bones.  A few small roasted potatoes on the side.  160 p.

The grilled pulpo (octopus) with pineapple sauce and rosemary was another clean plate of flavor.  Amazing sauce.  Portion could have been larger since it's a main course.  160 p.

House vino blanco is a Chilean sauvignon blanc at 50 p.  Good atmosphere with canned Latin music as background (but will have live music on Sat. per FB).

These pics from their FB page of the ribs and pulpo.  Also shows their hours.  Here is FB page link:

https://www.facebook.com/Xolo-Cocina-191182541499524/

Image may contain: table and food

\Image may contain: table, food and indoor

Image may contain: one or more people

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Thanks, Bisbee Gal, for your review. It's been a couple of months now, and I'm wondering if others have anything to report. It looks like mostly the kind of tapas items I would want in the afternoon with a cold one, when escorting visitors around town. It does not look like a "dinner" place... much like the old tapas place now defunct down on the corner from Xolo, enough to fill you up would cost 400 or 500p per person. (For example the photo of the ribs on their FB page shows three calamata olives beside the ribs, and makes the portion look very tiny.) Not that there's anything wrong with that, especially if it's all great food, but would be a disappointment as a supper place, perhaps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 hours ago, ComputerGuy said:

Thanks, Bisbee Gal, for your review. It's been a couple of months now, and I'm wondering if others have anything to report. It looks like mostly the kind of tapas items I would want in the afternoon with a cold one, when escorting visitors around town. It does not look like a "dinner" place... much like the old tapas place now defunct down on the corner from Xolo, enough to fill you up would cost 400 or 500p per person. (For example the photo of the ribs on their FB page shows three calamata olives beside the ribs, and makes the portion look very tiny.) Not that there's anything wrong with that, especially if it's all great food, but would be a disappointment as a supper place, perhaps.

They have been closed for a few weeks renovation and reopened earlier this week.  Their FB page promises new menu items starting in September.  We had eaten there 3 times before they closed for repairs and it was always good to excellent.

Ole Ola the defunkt tapas place was our go-to eatery for many years and we often went twice a week.  I don't think our tab ever went over 500 combined for the two of us and that included wine!  We eat dinner out 5x a week on average.  Rather than order entrees we normally share 2 or 3 appetizers.  In essence we treat most restaurants as tapas joints.  

We tend to eat our main meal midday, making tapas perfect for a light evening meal.  The older I get the more I try to subscribe to the adage: Eat breakfast like a King; eat lunch like a Prince; eat dinner like a Pauper.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, ibbocat said:

Another place that does not display a menu by the door.

The most basic and cheapest form of advertising

In fairness to Xolo, they did display a menu outside during opening hours, back before they closed in August.  I walked by yesterday (Sunday) hoping to see their new menu, but alas they were closed.   

In many parts of Europe, restaurants are required to post their menu outside their entry.  I agree with you that it is free advertising and frankly a restaurant should be proud to post its offerings.  

Another pet peeve is that now that the majority of restaurants have forsaken formal websites in favor of FB, I get annoyed at those who do not post a current menu on their FB page.  The old excuse when they had dedicated websites was that it was difficult (for restaurant staff) and expensive (to pay outside IT) to keep their menu and prices up to date online.  But part of the lure of FB is that just about anyone on staff can update the menu at a moment's notice.  Many local eateries here will answer my FB message in a matter of minutes, including sending me their menu when I request it, even though they do not post the menu at FB.  Also many eateries here post their daily specials or other sort of daily 'shout out' but yet again, do not have their menu at their FB page.  😕 ☹️ 😖

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed, Bisbee Gal. What a grind. It's a lack of the ability to recognize how business has changed. A website is not a "nifty extra". It's a requirement. And yet FaceBook IS a nifty add on, especially around here, where 90% of computer users don't have or know how to use FaceBook.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Best "Aperol Spritz" I've had since our last trip to Italy and...........at a totally sensible price!  Just dropped in for an after dinner drink but after looking at the menu and speaking with the owner-chef we'll definitely go back.  Very sensible liquor and wine pricing for the quality offered! Hope she does

well!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 9/3/2018 at 2:03 PM, ComputerGuy said:

Agreed, Bisbee Gal. What a grind. It's a lack of the ability to recognize how business has changed. A website is not a "nifty extra". It's a requirement. And yet FaceBook IS a nifty add on, especially around here, where 90% of computer users don't have or know how to use FaceBook.

90%?? Seems like it's the other way around; that those who don't have FB are in the minority.  In today's news, there was an article about how many people are dropping it. Interesting.

I would like to see all restaurants having a website that everyone can access. Some are free.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

46 minutes ago, ComputerGuy said:

I said "around here". Maybe I should have said "seniors". Just go back through the dozens of threads where people complain when someone posts a FaceBook ink.

Ok. I'll just say it. I consider FB to be Sarin for the soul. Again, I'd like to see those menus posted elsewhere.😉

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

We have been 3 or 4 times, including this past week.  It is a limited menu but the young female owner/chef continues to tweak it. 

If you like ceviche, hers is the best we've found here....she has 4 or 5 versions of it.  

I would describe it as upscale latin cuisine.  Much of it is lighter fare not a meat and potatoes place.   We find the food innovative and interesting.

We suggested that she put a menu at the entrance.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, More Liana said:

Yes, the lightbulb went on.  But I don't know how to delete what's still there.

To delete your post, look at bottom of it and you will see Quote  Edit  Options.  Click on Options.  Then select Delete.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Bisbee Gal said:

To delete your post, look at bottom of it and you will see Quote  Edit  Options.  Click on Options.  Then select Delete.

Thanks!  Done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Four of us went there yesterday at 6PM.  Wednesday is two for one Marguerita day although we didn't know that when we booked there.  The Margueritas were EXCELLENT!

We ordered two starters, the Calamari and Guacamole.  Both were also excellent!

Two of us had the snapper, delicately seasoned and served with a very nice salad.

Esposa had the ribs, really nice and carefully prepared, with salad.

One had the pork belly.  Not my cup of tea but also very nicely done.

Total bill with tip was 1450 pesos with starters, drinks and four main courses.  

Definitely a cut above a lot of the local competition.  If your tastes run to moderate portions artfully prepared you will like this place.  Argentine the chef/owner came out personally to introduce herself and make sure everyone was happy.

The live music started at 7, it was pleasant and not at all loud as is the problem with many local restaurants.  This place has recaptured the ambiance of Four but without the high prices and over amplified music.  Definitely a keeper!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

To clarify about the Chef/owner.  We misunderstood the waiter on our first visit who we thought said she is from Argentina.  However we talked to her at length at our last meal there and she is not Argentine, but is from Guadalajara.  She did train and work at restaurants in Argentina.  Her name is Mirasol.  She likes to get feedback, good and bad and is open to menu suggestions, etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

8 of us went on Day of the Dead night when they were doing an Oaxaca special menu.  I opted out for calamari starter and ribs instead.  The rest did the special.  Some liked it, some did not.  I thought the ribs were fine and I really like how they do calamari.  Biggest issue was too loud music.  First time we went the music was properly in the background enabling conversation at our table.  Not this time, too damn loud and not very pleasing music either.  Service was eager but inept.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...