Photo by: TJ Perez
No matter if you are here for an ice-cold drink or a flaming tomahawk, the incredible Mexican cuisine you’ll find at Toca Madera, the L.A.-based Mexican steakhouse in The Shops at Crystals, has you covered.
Head into this luxurious space that starts with the bar, encouraging conversation and mingling . While you wait for your table, grab a drink like the Los Muertos, a gorgeous combination of reposado tequila and the flavors of blood orange, lime, black agave and hibiscus. There might just be an element of fire to entrance you! If you order the Ghost Rider margarita, in addition to fire, you’ll get blanco tequila, lime, agave and mint. For your smoke (and heat), order the Tranquilo, which features mezcal, yuzu, matcha agave, Ancho Reyes Verde liqueur and grapefruit.
Go ahead and take your drink to the table and begin menu perusal. Toca Madera features a variety of items that go far beyond a steakhouse, combining global flavors for an inventive menu that will satisfy vegetarians and carnivores alike. Appetizers here will certainly excite the appetite, with such items as guacamole with lime pepitas and pomegranate, served with plantain chips. The queso fundido is accented by soyriso, mushrooms and onion and served with flour tortillas. The truffle quesadilla has both white truffle oil and black truffles; you can never get too much truffle! A fun little bite is the wonton tacos, which Toca Madera serves in two ways: A5 wagyu with kizami wasabi and tuna with a truffle ponzu and caviar.
Photo by: TJ Perez
For a little more ice, make sure you order a raw bar selection like the Sashimi Mexicano. This dish brings together ahi tuna, cucumber and avocado to create a flowerlike presentation that will wow you. You’ll also find oyster osetra caviar with egg, shallot, crème fraîche and blinis, so go a little wild.
Main dishes range from seabass, truffle mushroom and al pastor tacos to the chicken hot rock, with free-range fowl. Get short rib or chicken tinga enchiladas or the Noble burger, with two A5 smash patties on toasted brioche with white cheddar and shaved onions. Or indulge in Mayan prawns with chipotle-mezcal butter, diver scallops or seared salmon with hibiscus lime butter.
As is expected in a steakhouse, the meats are impressive. The Flaming Tomahawk is a 40-ounce experience that creates a tableside spectacle, served with bone marrow and chimichurri sauce. Ribeyes, porterhouse and striploin add more choices, with an 8-ounce Kuroge Washu beef top cap worthy of particular notice. Add colossal prawns, lobster tails, caviar and more to go over the top.
Photo by: TJ Perez
Churros, Oaxacan chocolate mousse and strawberry tres leches cake are all delightful, but the signature brown butter cake with brown butter bourbon sauce is really something special. Accompany that with an espresso martini or a digestif, and you end the meal with a big smile.
The Shops at Crystals, 725.255.9030. tocamadera.com
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