Mystery Diner in Geneva: Altiro Latin Fusion always impresses

While we couldn’t duplicate the inviting ambience of the dining room at Altiro Latin Fusion in Geneva, we enjoyed the same quality of food with its fresh, bright flavors, thanks to a welcome carryout order on a cold night.

The restaurant, which has sister locations in Wheaton and Aurora, celebrates tapas-style dining that gets creative with flavors from Spain, Mexico and South America.

We decided to order something different than our usual favorites, and began with a sumptuous soup called Ala Poblana, featuring roasted poblano pepper, sour cream, queso fresco and potato. Garnished with cheery red pomegranate arils, it was richly creamy, with a measured little kick from the relatively mild pepper.

Then we turned our attention to the tapas portion of the menu, where my fellow diner discovered the Ala Tostada, which showcased a generous portion of shredded Slagel Farm lamb with caramelized chipotle sauce, queso fresco and sour cream, served with four crispy mini tortillas. The sauce had a sweet and tangy barbecue vibe.

The delicately textured tortillas at Altiro are a treat in themselves, and were a welcome addition to my order of Al Frito, a wonderful fish dish. A light and crispy batter made with one of our favorite Mexican beers – Bohemia – gently encased tilapia paired with a tasty cilantro slaw for crunchy contrast, accompanied by spicy avocado-chipotle aioli on the side.

The menu pays special attention to an array of tacos, served four to an order. A personal favorite is the Al Fundido. Each taco stars a large, sauteed garlic shrimp decadently warmed by melted Chihuahua cheese, with a crown of colorful pickled onions lending a bright pink visual to the dish, with its flourish of cilantro-lime oil.

My dining companion is partial to the Al Alambre, featuring skirt steak, which Altiro sources from the Slagel Family Farm in central Illinois. The beef is paired with chorizo, melted Chihuahua cheese, bell peppers, sauteed red onions, and tomatillo-avocado salsa. It’s served with tortillas.

Lunch specials include cemitas, inspired by a Puebla, Mexico, style of sandwich. The fillings vary from grilled chicken and pineapple to a vegetable combination, a buttermilk-fried chicken thigh to a three-egg scramble, with bacon, cheese, tomatoes, onions, mixed greens, sliced avocado and chipotle aioli.

For Valentine’s Day weekend, the restaurant will pair tapas and saxophone with a performance by Polo Sax from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in Geneva, and from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 12 in Aurora.

Craft cocktails are another specialty, and can be part of the takeout family packages. Altiro offers specials and a Happy Hour menu Monday through Thursday. Buen apetito.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at the Kane County Chronicle. The diner’s identity is not revealed to restaurant staff when ordering or picking up the food. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Altiro Latin Fusion

WHERE: 308 Anderson Blvd., Geneva, with sister locations in Wheaton and Aurora

PHONE: 630-232-7717

INFORMATION: www.altirolatinfusion.com