Mexico City Restaurant Tips by flyingpig

Maremma (Bosques)

Maremma is an upscale Italian restaurant located in the Parque Duraznos mall. The pride of the place is its wine list - which personally I didn't find soooo impressive.

The menu offers an extensive choice of starters, main dishes and desserts - all tasty and made with fresh ingredients (the tomato sauce is delicious for instance). As dessert I recommend their "chocolate cake" served warm with a scoop of chocolate ice-cream.

Service is excellent and prices high - count over $1000 for a dinner for two with some drinks.

Address: Centro Comercial Parque Duraznos

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 5576 2214

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 0

Theme: Italian

El Pimenton (Polanco/Anzures)

If you want the best Spanish food in Mexico City in the friendliest atmosphere then search no longer and go directly to El Pimenton.

This recently opened restaurant (February 2003) is located just behind the hotel Camino Real in Leibnitz 65. The decoration style is resolutely elegant and minimalist.

You'll be warmly welcomed by Gelines and Pepita who are extremely knowledgeable about the specialties of Spanish cuisine - don't ignore their suggestions.

I recommend the tasty starters - including the delicious "empanadas" and the original "pimientos rellenos de bacalao". For dessert do not miss the ice cream of "frutas del bosque" - simply amazing.

Prices are very reasonable for this level of quality in the service and ingredients. In one word: don't miss it - you won't regret it.

Address: Leibnitz 65 (Colonia Anzures)

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Just behind the Camino Real hotel

Phone: 5254 4299

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 0

Theme: Other

Directories of Restaurants

Here are some good Web sites where you can find literally hundreds of restaurants in Mexico City:

Sectur: http://www.mexicocity.gob.mx/sp/servtur/rest/index.asp

Reforma: http://comercial.reforma.com/restaurantes/

Rating: 0

Theme: Other

MP Cafe Bistro (Polanco)

MP Cafe Bistro is headed by well-known (in Mexico) chef Monica Patino who has her own cuisine programme on TV.

The restaurant is located at the far end of Andres Bello street in Polanco rather close to the JW Marriott hotel. The decoration style is resolutely Asian - to the point it makes you forget that fusion cuisine is what you are going to be tasting.

The menu is quite eclectic and original without being outlandish. An interesting convergence of Mexican and Asian cuisine. Execution is good without being exceptional.

The atmosphere of the place is rather nice and lively - very upscale with the occasional celebrity turning up (e.g. Alex Lora of the band El Tri).

Cocktails are overpriced - better to get drunk before getting to the restaurant - in true Scandinavian fashion :)

Overall a good choice for dining out in Polanco - very close to the 4 star hotels such as the Marriott, Presidente and Nikko.

Address: Andres Bello 10

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 5280 2506

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 0

Theme: Other

Ixchel (Roma)

Ixchel (Roma) is located in one of those typical turn of the century houses so common in Condesa and is decorated in a simple 70's style.

The menu offers a good selection of Italian and Asian dishes as well as an original list of Martinis. The food is good without being exceptional.

Seemingly the place used to be trendy recently but now it doesn't enjoy the same popularity. The service is good and lounge music is played at increasing volume over the night until around 2AM where you are expected to leave and bring the party somewhere else.

Address: Medellin 65

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Head for the fountain of Cibeles and take Medellin. The restaurant is 100 m. away from the fountain.

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 0

Theme: Eclectic/International

Euro (Mazaryk)

Euro (Mazaryk 134) is a trendy restaurant with minimalist decoration and original dishes (e.g. Salmon Steak with Papaya Chutney) accompanied with techno music and lots of atmosphere from the all-ages crowd who goes there.

Address: Mazaryk 134

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 5531 4628

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 0

Theme: Eclectic/International

Lien (Condesa)

Lien (Condesa on Tamaulipas) is a Vietnamese/French fusion cuisine restaurant with minimalist decoration, lounge music and a small but good selection of dishes.

Address: Tamaulipas (Condesa)

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 0

Theme: Eclectic/International

Recommended:

French...

<P>
<b><span style='background-color: #FFFF00'>
Recommended:</span></b>
<P>
<B>French food:</B>
<UL>
<LI></LI>
<LI><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'>Maxim's</span> in the Presidente hotel.
Simply one of the fanciest restaurants in Mexico City! Perfect service, just a
tad boring sadly.</LI>
<LI><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'>Au Pied de Cochon</span> still in the Presidente. The food quality is slightly lower in the latter but the atmosphere is much more friendly. Beware, it gets very busy from 21:00, especially on a Saturday night. If you can, get a table near the windows.</LI>
<LI>Another excellent French restaurant is <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> L'Olivier</span> on Mazaryk. Don't miss their 'chocolate souffle'. However, please note that the service is rather unfriendly and stuck-up, so don't expect to chat with the cook!</LI>
<LI>If you want to enjoy the same quality food as in L'Olivier, head to <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Ciboulette</span> on Mazaryk 407 (next to Mezzanotte). This restaurant opened in October 2001 and is impressively well decorated.</LI>
<LI><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'>El Rincon de Los Amigos</span> in Santa Fe, Av. Vasco de Quiroga, is refreshing by the quality of its service, the discrete music playing in the background, the good wine list and delicious French food, cooked by a French chef! A very relaxing experience, until you get the bill (prices are quite high).</LI>
<LI>If you fancy a fondue bourguignonne, go to <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> La Casserole</span> on Insurgentes Sur 1880. The sauces are not exceptional but the atmosphere is nice.</LI>
</UL>
<P>
<B>Chinese food:</B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Hunan</span> on Paseo de la Reforma is a stylish Chinese restaurant from the famous Hunan international chain. The food is both tasty and refined. Probably the best Chinese dining in Mexico City.</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>Japanese food:</B>
<ul>
<li>Whenever you get fed up with the unavoidable Sushi Itto joints, head for <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> NikSan</span> in the Parque Duraznos shopping mall. The dishes are both tasty and refined. The crowd definitely sophisticated. </li>
<li> Only <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Suntory</span> I have heard can pretend to a higher class Japanese dining experience.</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>Argentinian food:</B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Cambalache</span> on Insurgentes Sur or in Polanco. Superb meat imported from the US and good for people watching too (spot the celebrity).
Do not miss their incredible 'Papas Soufflee' - delicious!</li>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'>El Rincon Argentino</span> on
Mazaryk in Polanco is also famous for its exceptional meat, yet its
Margaritas do not match Cambalache's.</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>Italian food:</B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Alfredo di Roma</span> in the Presidente Intercontinental hotel. </li>
<li> Also in Polanco, <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Il Mercatto</span> on Mazaryk offers good fare. </li>
<li> On Insurgentes Sur, <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Romano's Macaroni</span> is quite popular, try one of their calzones starters, very tasty!</li>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'>Salute!</span>, recently opened on
Prado Norte, this Mediterranean style restaurant is nicely decorated in a
modern style. They offer one of the best choice of tasty starters in Mexico
City.</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>Mexican food:</B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> La Valentina</span> in Polanco (also on Insurgentes
Sur) is more about atmosphere, live mariachis music and rich and beautiful
people than quality food.</li>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'>El Candelero</span> on Insurgentes
Sur is a good restaurant to try some more exotic Mexican dishes, like fried
Maguey worms (they taste like pop-corns, trust me!).</li>
<li>For excellent margaritas and a great atmosphere reminiscent of La
Valentina, try <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Villa Maria</span> on Homero (Polanco). </li>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Caballo Bayo</span> is your best option if you are a large group of friends looking for a place to drink, eat and party until late at night with live Mexican music. Very popular on Saturdays - book in advance! </li>
<li> For a romantic dinner on a terrace, try <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Cerveceria Victoria</span> in front of the Hard Rock cafe. The food is simple but the ingredients are fresh and the terrace lovely.</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>Brazilian food:</B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Brasileirisimo</span> on Insurgentes Sur (see image). If you go there, order their Guarana soda, it's unlike anything else and beats Coke hands down!</li>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'>Rodizio</span> brands itself as
both a Brazilian and Colombian restaurant. Hidden in Polanco, Anatole France
71, this is the place to go to drink the amazing Colombian 'Lulo'
drink or eat 'arepa'. Beware, this restaurant is unfortunately not
too popular and closes at 09:30PM.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Spanish food:</b></p>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'>El Centro Castellano</span> inside
the Camino Real hotel offers a large selection of Spanish dishes in a rather
cold and international atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>Tacos place:</B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> El Fogoncito</span> in Polanco. Order a gringa de pastor, simply delicious!</li>
<li>El Farolito in Tecamachalco. Excellent tacos al pastor - order a
"salsa especial" with them, you won't regret it.</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>English food:</B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Sir Winston Churchill</span> on
Perinorte near Polanco. Typically bland English food in a terribly kitsch
decorum. </li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>Hungarian food:</B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Csarda</span> in San Angel, hidden away not too far from Melee and the bigger eateries. The style is resolutely modern and the restaurant has only been opened since Spring 2001. The food is good and the live violin music is stunning.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Crepes:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Crepes & Waffles is a franchise from Colombia with the widest variety
of crepes in Mexico City. If you go to the Perisur mall and fancy a bite,
don't hesitate one second to go there. It's a very popular restaurant.</li>
<li>Cluny in San Angel is more upscale. Prepare to wait 10 to 30 minutes until
a table becomes available.</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>International food:</B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Aura</span> in Polanco. This newly opened restaurant with minimalist decoration is very trendy and the food excellent. Prepare to queue if you don't have a reservation! </li>
<li> A popular restaurant with tourists and locals alike is the <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> San Angel Inn</span> in San Angel. The food is average but the inner courtyard quite romantic at sunset. </li>
<li> Assuming that hamburgers can be considered 'international' food, try <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Embers</span> in Polanco near the Red Cross office - over 40 types of hamburgers await you!</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>Tea room:</B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Un Lugar de la Mancha</span> in Polanco or Prado Norte is a lovely bookstore with plenty of artsy stationery items that make excellent gifts. In addition, it offers a nice terrace outside and room inside to have a tea or coffee.</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>Seafood:</B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Crab House</span> in Polanco, quite stylish and fresh food consistently.</li>
<li>Puntarena on Palmas #275, inside the Torre Optima II, serves excellent
seafood dishes in a stylish atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B>View:</B>
<ul>
<li>Next to the Zocalo is the <span style='background-color: #FFFF66'> Best Western
hotel</span>. Take the elevator to the last floor and have a drink or dinner while watching the action on the huge square. At 06:00PM is the changing of the flag ceremony.</li>
</ul>
<P>
<B><span style='background-color: #FFFF00'>To be avoided at all cost:</span></B>
<ul>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'>
The Hard Rock Cafe</span> in Polanco: the food is simply awful, although it's a good place to sip a cocktail while listening to a live band performance! The Hard Rock Cafe in Acapulco is much better.</li>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'>Bellinni's</span> in the WTC: nice view but very expensive and rather boring. Do it once and never come back again.</li>
<li><span style='background-color: #FFFF66'>
Mezzanotte</span> in Polanco: pathetic food, on the decline for years, miserable service and in bonus the risk to spend a lot of time in the toilets as a result!</li>
</ul>

Other Contact: For a very comprehensive (althou

Rating: 0

Theme: Other