Mirra
Before leaving Chicago, we managed to squeeze in one final meal, brunch at Mirra. Mirra celebrates the flavors of India and Mexico.
From the moment we walked through the door, we were happy. There really is no other way to describe it. The music, the energy, the people, and the incredibly warm welcome made an immediate impression. We had just popped in for brunch, but somehow, it felt like we had arrived at a community party where everyone was genuinely excited to see us. The restaurant was lively, welcoming, and full of personality. We had not even opened the menu, and we were already having a wonderful time.
What makes Mirra particularly interesting is its approach to Indian and Mexican fusion. This is not a menu where half the dishes lean Indian and the other half lean Mexican, with a few ingredients crossing over for good measure. This is serious fusion, where both cultures come together to create something entirely their own. The flavors are bold, the combinations are thoughtful, and the result is food that feels both familiar and completely unexpected. We love when chefs take this approach because it challenges what we think we know about a particular cuisine while respecting the traditions that make it special.
Vada Pav Breakfast Sandwich Lamb Barbacoa Biryani Pozole Rojo
We also have to talk about the hospitality because it was exceptional. The service at Mirra is next level, and not in the formal way, it is warm, genuine, and incredibly engaging. Our servers made us feel like we were the most popular people at the party, but a quick look around the dining room made it clear that every table was receiving the same attention and care. What impressed us even more was how seamlessly the entire team worked together. For a more casual restaurant, the level of teamwork and attentiveness was remarkable. There was a real sense of community in the room, the kind of atmosphere that makes you feel immediately connected to a place. The fact that the food and drinks happened to be outstanding made the experience even better.
We started with the Mirra Mezza, a beautiful assortment of achar, salsa tatemada, sikil pak, guacamole, tlayudas, and papads. It was the perfect introduction to the restaurant's philosophy. How much did we love it? We ordered another one to go and carried it onto our flight home. That should tell you everything you need to know.
Next came the Chaas Aguachile, featuring hamachi in a buttermilk aguachile that was absolutely fantastic. The dish was bright, refreshing, and packed with flavor, with the richness of the fish beautifully balanced by the acidity and spice. And yes, it had a serious kick. Mirra is not afraid of heat, and we appreciated that the kitchen allowed the spices to make their presence known. If you are someone who believes every dish should be mild, stay home and give your table to someone who appreciates bold flavors. We loved every bite. There is something particularly satisfying about a kitchen that understands how to build heat without allowing it to overwhelm the other flavors.
Then there was the Vada Pav Breakfast Sandwich. If you are looking for a reason to rethink everything you know about a breakfast sandwich, this is it. Taking inspiration from the popular Indian street food, Mirra transforms the concept into a brunch dish that perfectly captures what makes the restaurant so exciting. It was indulgent, flavorful, and exactly the kind of creative interpretation that makes fusion cuisine spectacular.
Carmine was absolutely obsessed with Mirra’s signature Lamb Barbacoa Biryani, confidently placing it among his top five biryanis of all time. And this was no ordinary biryani. Served in a dish sealed with a beautiful roti crust, the biryani cooks beneath the bread, trapping the steam and allowing the lamb, rice, and spices to develop incredible depth and tenderness. Part of the experience is breaking through the roti crust with a spoon to reveal the fragrant biryani underneath.
Another detail we particularly appreciated was that Mirra is a pork-free restaurant. For our family, that is always not expected but a welcome discovery. We were able to enjoy Wagyu beef bacon that was delicious.
Wagyu Beef Bacon Uttappham Ora King Salmon Tostada
And we would be doing Mirra a disservice if we did not mention the margaritas. They were outstanding. A restaurant that brings together Indian and Mexican flavors has an incredible opportunity to get creative with its cocktail program, and Mirra clearly takes its drinks just as seriously as its food. The margaritas were beautifully balanced and full of flavor, exactly what we wanted alongside a menu filled with bold spices and unexpected combinations.
What makes Mirra so special is that the creativity coming out of the kitchen is matched by the incredible team bringing the experience to life. The food is bold, thoughtful, and genuinely exciting, while the staff creates an atmosphere that is welcoming, energetic, and full of personality. It is a combination that is not always easy to achieve, and Mirra does it exceptionally well. We left with tremendous appreciation for both the culinary talent and the hospitality, and we are already looking forward to our next visit. Having experienced what the kitchen can accomplish with brunch, we cannot wait to return and explore its creativity even further through the tasting menu.
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