Cordova Coastal Chophouse & Bar

www.cordovachophouse.com

My Wandering Fork...
​by Lori Allen

So this Wandering Fork got to thinking, as we planned and continue to plan our summer vacations where we head off to faraway places, what are we looking for? Adventure, someplace fun and inspiring, beautiful beaches, amazing cuisine, and possibly history.  Then I thought that sounds just like where we live! People travel from all parts of the world to come and enjoy what we have right in our very own backyard.  So I say let's not let them have all the fun.  Staycation is where it's at!  

We have cultivated our little "slice" to be one of the places to go and see. After all, we can honestly say that we have some of the best culinary artists who reside here and are often sought after throughout the country. From our Exotic to our down-home Southern Charm our cooking brings out some of the tastiest and finest cuisine.

Let's take Cordova Coastal Chophouse & Bar for example. I was lucky enough to score a private dinner and I was so impressed with the variety, excellence, and overall deliciousness of the food that I thought this would make a perfect Staycation dining experience!
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Cordova Coastal Chophouse combines the artistry of fine dining and elegance with the simplicity of our southern charm, along with some Spanish roots. So why not slip away from the familiar streets of downtown and enter another world at Cordova. The cool Clasico design with intimate dining, chophouse classics, local seafood, and cuisine that celebrates our coast with Moorish and Spanish influences. For me, it sounds like a slice of heaven!  

Now on to the good stuff...

Hand-crafted innovative cocktails are amazing and each served in a specially designed elegant glass, Rose Thyme Aperol Spritz for example, thyme-infused Aperol, prosecco rose’ and a splash of club soda. Refreshing and intriguing, the thyme adds an unexpected herb flair. I also tried their Lavender 75. Not sure what the 75 stands for but it’s made with smooth Hendricks gin, lavender syrup prosecco(bubbles), and lemon. It was like a soothing cocktail with a twist, warm sweet, and bubbly.

I was so excited that they had tartare on the menu. I love anything tartare (I’m weird like that) but I find that whether it’s tuna or beef you get the authentic taste of the meats/fish mixed with some really fresh herbaceous seasoning. Here they mixed fresh tuna pickled apple, castelvetrano olives, cucumber, radish, and along with their fresh seasonings to make the perfect bite.

I was feeling adventurous and went for the grilled octopus and pork belly. Seemed like an odd combination to me. Grilled octopus & Pork Belly topped with a citrus vinaigrette, tomato jam, and crushed almonds. It tasted like a little bit of the sea mixed in with the land, it was so tender and juicy with a touch of acid to cut the fat. I would order it over and over again.

Beets and Burrata..need I say more? Heirloom Beets, Burrata, and pistachios with some sprinkled citrus on top. The rustic earthiness of the beets with the fluffiness’ of the cheese..Yes!

Allen Brothers prime filet, butter roasted garlic, and truffle butter. Let me tell you it doesn’t get any more top-notch than that. If you have ever had any meat from the Allen Brothers you know it’s a cut above all others. Built on a legacy rooted in Chicago, Allen Brothers pour their pride into everything they do, from sourcing, to aging, to hand-cutting their meats. They have a level of consistency and quality that doesn’t exist anywhere else! If you want a steak this is for sure the way to go! Only the best.

One last food dish I just had to mention Roasted Halibut- Calabrian chili pesto, peperonata (peppers and onions), and saffron cauliflower. I was drooling over this dish and I was not disappointed. Come on pesto??  for real? It infused its goodness into the fish with this nutty, basily, garlicky topping, each bite was as good as the next.

I was able to try some of the chef’s specialty deserts (chocolate orb?? wow) and they were amazing! But the expresso martini with Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Starbucks expresso (brewed right there), and Kahlua just completed me. I was a happy camper and totally enjoyed my Staycation experience. This Wanderingfork gives them a +++ !

​On a side note the hotel is breathtaking and a nice place to hang out and have a cocktail.  They also have a “hidden” room where they put on an intimate Magic show which I never knew.  They say that it is an interactive mind-bending illusion that happens right before your face! Sounds pretty cool too~


Adios’ til my next adventure.
#Mywanderingfork