The Hot List: 6 Fiery Favorites
Mehfil Indian Restaurant
Some of us here at Style like it hot, which is why we’ve rounded up our fiery food favorites this month. Seeking some spice in your own life? Whether you’re looking for piquant, pungent, or peppery, you’ll find it below. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
“The River Thai Cuisine’s Red Curry is one of the best I’ve tasted—and I’ve tasted a few. This secret curry recipe comes with eggplant, Serrano and bell peppers, basil, and your choice of chicken, pork, beef, tofu, seafood, or veggies. I like mine with prawns and usually ask for the ‘Thai spicy’ level of heat. Go big or go home…am I right? I love the rich coconut milk broth, hint of Thai basil, and boldness of that heat. I go big and I go home happy.” theriverthaicuisine.eat24hour.com
“Looking for something spicy? I’ve got two words for you: Shrimp Diablo. That’s right, Hacienda Del Rio makes the mother of all spicy things by sautéing shrimp in a sauce made of habaneros and red peppers. To douse the fire in your mouth, they serve it with rice, beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, sliced avocado, and tortillas. The flavors are on point and the heat is everything you imagine it to be and more.” hacdelrio.com
“I find it hard to pick from Mikuni’s menu because everything looks so good. Luckily, my preference for spicy food narrows down my options and I’m usually happy to start with their BBQ White Tuna. The tuna is grilled rare, topped with green onions, and served with their secret spicy red sauce and/or garlicky white sauce. It looks simple but it’s absolutely fantastic. Firstly, the fish is fresh; secondly, those sauces play all sorts of tricks on your palate, providing bursts of flavor with each bite.” mikunisushi.com
“Chicken tikka is passé. What’s hot is Chicken Vindaloo…literally. Mehfil Indian Restaurant’s version consists of tender bites of chicken in a stewed gravy of onion, garlic, ginger, ground spices, and vinegar. Spicy, sweet, and sour at the same time, it checks all the flavor boxes making it perfect in my book. Choose your level of spice (I like it hot) and enjoy this delicacy alongside steaming basmati rice or naan.” mehfilindianrestaurant.com
“At first glance, the Italian Beef Sandwich from Chicago Fire is just that—an innocuous beef sandwich. Sure, you ordered the hot giardiniera peppers but it’s really a New York French dip, right? Wrong! It’s a napalm-laced surprise attack of fire and flavor from which there is no escape. I curse every last bite and then order it again.“ chicagofire.com
“I’ll take the Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños from Tortilla Flats Cantina any day, any time. These babies aren’t your regular, soggy, boring jalapeño poppers. They’re stuffed with California goat cheese, wrapped in bacon, and baked to achieve a crisp exterior and melt-in-your-mouth center. That tangy goat cheese mellows out the heat from the jalapeños and if you dip them in some cool ranch dressing you’ve got the perfect appetizer.” tortillaflatscantina.com
compiled by Style staffers
photos by Dante Fontana