Paul V.
Yelp
* Disclaimer: this was one of the best meals I've ever had *
** Top 10 Global Elite **
Having been logging my culinary experiences via Yelp for some five years now, I've had some truly fantastic meals. Some of those fantastic meals have warranted five star reviews, but they're often so few and far between that I think "yeah, five stars is plenty". Every so often, however, a meal comes along that truly changes my perspective on food, and it's in those very rare moments that I think "man, I do wish that I could identify this establishment as something worthy of more than just five stars that are so commonly overgranted these days". Monterrey's "La Nacional" is one of those establishments, and it's where I had a truly perspective changing meal.
Star 1: How were the service and atmosphere?
I'm fortunate enough to work in a very diverse office, and so I took the reactions from my Mexican co-workers very seriously when I told them I was going to Monterrey for business, which would include a business dinner. "La Nacional" was the first thing both of them said, and it turns out that was their gut reaction for very, very good reason. The atmosphere and service at La Nacional is top notch, and when I say top notch I mean it's very much akin to what you might find in the uppermost echelon of dining in the United States. A highly trained and attentive but not overbearing staff compliments a welcoming atmosphere with seating both indoors and out. For a non (or rather minimal) Spanish speaker like myself? No problem, as the staff were able to communicate just fine and make use of English menus. Star Granted.
Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost?
Okay, so I was so caught up in the glory that was this meal that I forgot to log specific prices, and I can't find my itemized receipt nor prices online. However, know this - my party of six ordered the following. All of it:
Appetizers:
Roasted Artichoke
Caesar Salad
Guacamole and Rib eye fajitas (with fresh flour and corn tortillas)
Mains:
Two orders of the Salted Rib eye
Grilled Fish
Flank Steak
Desserts:
Two dishes of ice cream with caramel
Molten Chocolate Cake with ice cream
Non alcoholic beverages
The grand total? $336 USD. Anywhere in the United States this would have very easily been $600 worth of food or more, but the prices were more than reasonable for such a high end restaurant. I do recall that the Salted Rib Eye, which is a full 2.2 pounds of meat, was $58. A bargain if ever there was one. Star Granted.
Stars 3 and 4: How was the food?
Like I said, this was absolutely perspective changing food. Do I normally like artichoke? I don't, but this appetizer (and the sauce!) was divine. It's no surprise they sell the sauce separately to take home if you wish. Do I love salad? I don't, but I could have eaten this salad with amazing croutons and honey mustard dressing all day long. The tortillas? Divine, both flour and corn.
As for the Salted Rib Eye that I ordered as a shared main. My goodness gracious. As quality a cut of meat as you'll ever see cooked to absolute perfection with a sea salt that could make a piece of cardboard taste like Filet Mignon. Wonderful.
By the end of it all I didn't think I could stomach even another bite, but the molten chocolate cake blew me away even though I'm often not a cake person. This entire meal was life changing. Dual Stars Granted.
Star 5: Would you eat here every day if you could?
Without question or hesitation. This was one of the best meals I've ever had. Period. Star Granted.