Pre hispanic dining - trying something exotic

Sat on one of the downtown historic centres prettiest streets sits the "Restaurante Chon" - offering "fine pre-hispanic dining". With an extensive menu including Escamoles, Gusanos, Crocodile and grasshopper to name a few. Don´t be put off by the food combinations here - once you try some of these "delicacies" you maybe be pleseantly suprised and want to try more and more. Choose from a starter, soup, taco and to finish off a traditional mexican dessert.

A brief explanation of some of the food on offer :

Escamoles are the larvae of ants harvested from the roots of the agave or maguey and are considered a delicacy all over Mexico. They have a cottage cheese like consistency and taste buttery, yet slightly nutty.

Gusanos - you may have seen a gusano once open a time sitting in the bottom of a cheap bottle of tequila - the little "worms" are used all over mexico in tacos and some describe them as having a pork or bacon flavour.

Most main dishes at "Chon" cost between 150-250 pesos.

You can try some of this wonderful food at Restaurante Chon - open monday to saturday from 11am-7pm located on Calle Regina 160,Col. Centro - Downtown Mexico city.

http://www.restaurantechon.com/

Meat ! Getting some good "Carnitas".

I recently stopped by the new branch of "Los Gallos" because I didn´t want to cook ! I didn´t expect much but as I waited for 1/2kg of Carnitas in the small little restaurant, I took a little taste of the salsa that was sat on the table and I knew that the meat was going to be good!

Los Gallos has been operating for years and has recently opened its new branch in the Narvarte area of the city close to the Pilares roundabout. You can choose from a selection of tacos, Jalisco style Pozole, Carnitas and Chamorro - certain days of the week have special deals on steaks and red meat.

The staff are very friendly and the little restaurant is very clean. I have to admit that since the first visit, we have been back three times to get take out (in just two weeks) and we actually ordered a variety of things for the Gallos menu for family lunch on sunday which was approved of by all, even the 84 year old grandma !

Half a kilo of Carnitas costs $80.00 - a great price and come with tortillas, salsas and garnishes.

Check out the Los Gallos website for a full menu and price list.

More taco tips - the best of the best .....

Any Mexico city taco fiend will surely know "Tacos Beto - Los de Cochinada", served monday to saturday by the famous Don Beto himself after more than 30 years in the business. You can choose from the usual selection of pastor, longaniza, suadero or chicharrón and ask for your tacos with or without "cochinada"... (all the little bits that end up in the bottom on the pan !) These tasty tacos may look a little offputting to the untrained eye - but after one bite, you will be hooked!

TACOS BETO
LOS DE COCHINADA
Vértiz 1023, Narvarte, monday-thursday 17-4hrs, friday-saturday 19-7hrs.

Medication - getting medicine delivered to you.....

You will notice a very large number of pharmacies in Mexico city. There are many different chain stores within the city and most are open late or have a 24hr delivery service.

We would recommend calling Farmacias del Ahorro on 5593 4000 in Mexico DF and the metropolitan area if you need anything bringing to your hotel. Also, if you are travelling without health insurance - Almost all branches of Farmacias del Ahorro have a small clinic staffed by a GP whom you can visit at no cost.

Travelling to Mexico city with a dog

If you are thinking about coming to Mexico city with a four legged friend you should probably check out Reforma on a sunday morning which will be full of people walking thier dogs and riding thier bikes.

Reforma, one of the cities prinicipal streets is closed until around 2pm on sundays and people come from all over town to enjoy the "pedestrian only" pavements and roads. Usually dance groups and bands also play on the corners around the Angel of Independence monument and if can also pick up a free bike for the morning and afternoon at one of the little stands on Reforma if you leave an official form of identification.

Other "dog walking" areas are the Condesa, where every resident seems to own atleast three dogs and also "Parque España" also located in the condesa area on Nuevo Leon.