What: Crabcake burger
Where: Crudo Cervicheria, 515 N. Palm Canyon Drive, No. 9, Palm Springs
How much: $22
Contact: 442-268-9389; www.crudopalmsprings.com
Why: It’s soft and delicious.
Few things make my palate happier than properly made ceviche.
The acid and brightness from the citrus. The crispness from the veggies. The subtly savory bites of the fresh fish and/or seafood. A dish of food doesn’t get any better.
So when we headed to dinner at the new Crudo Cervicheria—which took over the space most recently occupied by Midmod Café in The Corridor center in Palm Springs—I was confident I’d leave with an endorsement of some sort of ceviche. But that’s not what happened.
We indeed ordered ceviche—the chilango ($24), with Chilean seabass, roasted corn, garbanzo beans, mango relish and fried tortilla strips—and it was … fine. The flavors worked well together, but it all seemed too busy. The fish, which should be the star of any ceviche dish, was great, but it was buried, both figuratively and literally.
Fortunately, after splitting the chilango as a starter, we each ordered entrées—and they were both wonderful, and definitely endorsement-worthy.
The hubby got the chile relleno mariscado ($26)—a pepper stuffed with shrimp, salmon and octopus, then topped with a light pistachio sauce. The blend of the just-cooked-enough pepper, the seafood and the excellent sauce made every bite a delight.
Meanwhile, I ordered the crabcake burger ($22), with a “brioche bun with Sonora spread, mixed greens, fresh onions, slice tomato and mango relish,” according to the menu. My first few bites struck me as strange, texturally; the middle of a burger or sandwich usually offers some resistance, but with the crabcake, it was all softness. As I continued eating, that strangeness turned to pure enjoyment—and taste-wise, I was thrilled from the very first bite.
I am excited to return to Crudo Cervicheria to try more of their fare—although it’ll be difficult to resist ordering that crabcake burger again.
