There’s something about the far North Shore that makes you think Glencoe up is nothing but a big gated community. It looks and feels so exclusive. So “happy few”. And then there’s Highwood, Highland Parks slightly humbler neighbor just above it. You don’t hear about Highwood. You don’t think about Highwood. When considering the culinary aspects of life however, perhaps that should change.
Catching the Latin fusion wave that’s rolling through the country, Longitud315 on Highwood’s main downtown drag has found the right approach. Keep it authentic, keep it original and keep it good.
Setting the stage with intrigue right out of the gate, long strips of fried plantain ribbons arrive when you look settled in your seat. Accompanied by small bowl of green cilantro dip, the combination is an instant winner as slightly sweet meets pleasing heat.
You can approach the menu in a couple of ways. Go the tapas shared plate route or go traditional entrée. You won’t regret either choice. You can build some of the appetizers to suit your cravings. Some, like the empanadas and Brazilian style lamb chops; can be doubled from 4 to 8 or 3 to 6. The Arepas Doa Ynes can even be tripled: 2, 4 or 6. A white corn and cheese cake that just fits the hand, they’re topped with cream cheese and plantain, marinated chicken and curried onions or black beans, fried plantain and cotija cheese. If you like added dimension to your food, the black beans will be your favorite.
Anybody who enjoys sinking their teeth into delightfully seasoned flesh will swoon over the Brazilian style lamb chops. Dense with flavor, center cut, rubbed with garlic and beautifully presented with a slight char, people at the next table may wonder where that low growl of pleasure is coming from after you dive in. The restaurant’s green beans a la Paisa, sautéed with Brussel sprouts, red Agi pepper, garlic sauce and crispy prosciutto added an ideal balance to the lamb.
For the pastry alone, Longitud315’s empanadas deserve like praise. Fillings range from spinach and mancheco cheese to potatoes and brisket. At least one, the ground beef, raisins, cheese and olives could have been bettered served with a bit more moisture and slightly amped up spices. A zesty sauce riding shotgun filled both gaps.
With a population that doesn’t even reach 6000 and a history of working class strivers, there’s little pretense on the street or in the restaurant. Busy on a early Sunday evening, dark wood and simple but comfortable furnishing kept the atmosphere muted and relaxed as servers swept by with platters and plates heaped with “that sure looks good”.
And there’s a not to be missed hailing from the bar, too. Eyebrows shot up when we spotted something called a Hibiscus Old Fashioned matching rye whiskey to floral liqueur. That kind of contrast mandated further investigation. An excellent cocktail, it rang with class and brawn and will likely end up as an option in the man cave.
Service was engaged, knowledgeable and amusing.
Longitud315
315 Waukegan Ave.
Highwood, IL 60040
847-926-7495