11/25/17
Mise En Place, located on the west side of downtown Tampa, is one of the city's original upscale fusion dining spots, and in my opinion it is the best. This crusted chicken dish is the perfect example of why. The dish itself was like a well-put-together team - every unique element on the plate had a purpose and did its job exceptionally. The white asparagus was crisp and had the perfect light char from the grill. The hash, made of chorizo, purple potatoes, and yucca, a somewhat fibrous starch found frequently in Cuban dishes, was also a really nice piece of the dish. The potatoes were creamy and the slightly firmer yucca contrasted them nicely, while the salty, caramelized pieces of sausage were perfect savory nuggets in the hash. I enjoyed both sauces on the dish, with the chili lime emulsion adding needed acidity and freshness. Finally, the chicken was the star. The meat itself was perfectly cooked, but the aji pepito crust set this chicken apart. The crust was an ideal mix of crispy, salty, and peppery. You could put it on a box of Jordans and eat the whole thing. All told, I really enjoyed this dish and highly recommend Mise En Place if you’re looking for a special meal in Tampa - it has a really wide ranging and interesting menu and has never disappointed.