EXPOSURE TAPAS

A WBBM RESTAURANT REVIEW BY SHERMAN KAPLAN
(312-662-1082)

BROADCAST  NOVEMBER  16, 2007

Exposure Tapas at 1315 South Wabash is the newest in a growing cluster of South Loop lounges, bars and restaurants.

The dining room is a blitz of tufted red velvet walls and stunning vertical wood pillar supports encased in glass and chrome, with buzz to match. While some might think this is a room that is not especially conversation friendly, there were dozens of just such friendly conversations underway on the busy Saturday night we visited. Surprisingly, the bar lounge was the quietest room in the restaurant.

A very engaging server was quick to take drink orders and give us menus. Some portions can be deceptively large. One or two selections from the left side of the menu, and another from the right should be enough for each diner.

We started with shrimp caprese salad. Two large prawns were coated in tempura batter, which was largely undistinguished be either taste or texture. But, the caprese itself was marked by creamy bufalo mozzarella and vividly red cherry tomatoes in balsamic reduction. A second salad was a collection of barley, bitter greens, and dried apricots, a puckery standout in its own way.

The dining hit of our evening was twin lobster filled spring rolls with buttery sweet corn kernels as part of a relish which included chopped tomatoes, guacamole and wasabi. Similarly appealing sea scallops, paired with  slivered asparagus and grapefruit wedges brought welcome taste and texture contrasts.

 Among other ideas on the imaginative menu, salmon au poivre is appropriately peppered, moist and flaky with a fried potato puff and another taste of asparagus salad.

Several other meat and seafood choices round out the menu. Among sides, fried potatoes with truffle oil plus spicy catsup and Béarnaise sauce are luxurious.

There’s a raw bar for oyster and shrimp lovers including a mixed platter perfect for a party of four. On the dessert side, creme brulée on a chocolate brownie is one temptation while Valrhona chocolate  fondue adds on the excess among desserts. Expect to spend about $80 a couple plus add ons. Valet parking, is discounted with validation. Exposure Tapas is at 1315 South Wabash and has a K/RATING of  17.5/20

 AMBIANCE  4/4     HOSPITALITY 5/5    FOOD    9.5/11 

Read more Sherman Kaplan Restaurant Reviews at wbbm780.com and  in

North Shore Magazine