Milagro Cantina – A True Mexican Dining Experience

It was a true Mexican dining experience at the VIP menu tasting of Milagro Cantina. Starting off with 3 special cocktails made for the night, one of them a not-your-regular Margarita with a stronger, smokier flavour really quenched my thirst; followed by a multi-course tasting, each dish paired with a spirit or wine, Chef Arturo Anhalt sure knows what he’s doing.

Sope Plazero and Tostadita De Pulpo paired with michelada

Guacamole con totopos was served with three of Milagro’s famous salsas. The Milagrito ‘Ven A Mi’ Reposado Mezcal (or mescal) rimmed with “sal de gusano” and chased with orange juice was a nice way to reset our palate for the next round.

Cut the bacon crap, the Ensalada César (Caesar Salad) was served simple with a slice of lime and a nice, rich anchovy garlic vinaigrette. Sope Plazero (pork carnitas with tortilla) and Tostadita De Pulpo (crispy tortilla with Octopus Ceviche) were well complemented by michelada, a Mexican drink mixed with Negra Modelo beer, fresh lime juice served in a big, salt-rimmed glass.

Fried plantain, refried beans & pickled onions balanced out the saltiness of the pulled pork (Cochinita Pibil), try it with a 2010 Tinta Fina from Viña Clavidor, Rueda. Braised lamb shank served with potatoes tasted good with the guajillo chili & mezcal sauce (Pierna De Cordero), try it with a Puerta de Alcala Crianza Tempranillo from Vinos Jeromin, Madrid. Mole poblano served with roasted chicken had a very interesting taste that I’ve never experienced before, chili sauce with hints of sesame and chocolate. Try it with a 2010 Syrah from McManis Family Vineyard, California.

Home-style cheese flan was topped with a decadent layer of burnt sugar sauce and Crème Brûlée was made extra creamy with goat’s milk cajeta (Natilla De Cajeta), best part was the pairing with Cazadores Añejo, a 12-month white oak barrel aged tequila.

tasting menu

smoky Margarita

smoky Margarita

Chef Arturo Anhalt

Chef Arturo Anhalt

guacamole con totopos & salsas

guacamole con totopos & salsas

guacamole con totopos & salsas

mezcal and orange juice

mezcal and orange juice

mezcal and orange juice

mezcal and orange juice

Ensalada César (ceasar salad)

Sope Plazero (pork carnitas tortilla) and Tostadita De Pulpo (octopus ceviche tortilla)

michelada

Sope Plazero and Tostadita De Pulpo

Sope Plazero and Tostadita De Pulpo

michelada

Viña Clavidor 2010 Tinta Fina

Cochinita Pibil (pulled pork)

Cochinita Pibil

Cochinita Pibil

Puerta de Alcala Crianza Tempranillo

Pierna De Cordero (lamb shank)

Pierna De Cordero

Mole poblano with roasted chicken

Mole poblano

Mole poblano

Mole poblano

McManis 2010 Syrah

Cazadores Añejo tequila

cheese flan & Natilla De Cajeta

cheese flan & Natilla De Cajeta

cheese flan & Natilla De Cajeta

(photos by Tanya)

Milagro Cantina on Mercer – A True Mexican Dining Experience