Chef owners Damian Sansonetti and Ilma Lopez have created a wonderfully welcoming brassiere at Chaval. You should make a reservation while you still can, as they are putting out some of the most beautiful comfort food (and very, very good cocktails) in Portland. Beautiful comfort food? Yes. Cured meats and pâtés, deviled eggs and savory puff, Swordfish with olives and tomatoes, steak frites, these are food designed to bring comfort and joy in their oh so savory flavors. But these versions are all presented so beautifully and so full of little surprises that they turn any meal at Chaval in to an experience.
Take for example the fatty tuna presented below. While traditionally I prefer the richest cuts of tuna on their own to savor, the artistic presentation and added layers of flavor of cucumber brought an amazing balance that I love, love loved!
The same was true of the fantastic (really!) maitake mushrooms. Cooked in smoked beef fat and accompanied by pistachio and the most wonderful sauce! Made from Concord grapes it was an absolute deluge of textures and flavor. So good, brilliant!
For me the highlight of the savories, was a rabbit stew in puff pastry and topped with Foie Gras. The perfectly seared liver added wonderful creamy richness to the lean rabbit. I would love to see more rabbit this winter. So satisfying!
Of course we had dessert, I can’t say enough about the wonderful desserts and pastries that Ilma Lopez creates. From the first bite of one of her creations I was hooked. Beyond master chef, a true pastry goddess! Forget Ugly Delicious, these warm apple churros with caramel for dipping are Beautiful Delicious and deserve a show of their own!
