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.

Fonda Margarita - a must "eat" in Mexico City.

http://restaurantes.rinconesdemitierra.com/restaurante/fonda-margarita/#fonda-margarita

They say that the Fonda Margarita has been open for over 50 years but the official date is a secret that the owners say that they can´t reveal. From the street you

could easily pass by Fonda Margarita without realising that you had walked by one of the cities best places to stop if you want to try real authentic cooking.

Everything at the small fonda is cooked in traditional clay Ollas and cooked on carcoal giving all the food the deep and rich flavour that can cannot be found everywhere nowadays with gas being a cheaper and quicker fuel for cooking.

The fondas speciality are the beans and scrambled eggs served with fresh hand made tortillas but every day of the week the menu has a slight variation for you to choose from and to accompany your breakfast "fillers". The small fonda has around eight or so long tables and customers from lawyers and suits to builders and taxi drivers sit side by side to enjoy the wonderful food dashed with fresh made salsas.

I´d recommend going on a wednesday when meatballs are on the menu - they really are the best meatballs that I have ever tasted in my life !! Expect to pay about $120 mexican pesos for a very large breakfast for two including coffee.

Fonda Margarita is open from 5am until 11am Monday to Saturday, closed sundays and is located on : Adolfo Prieto 1364, Col. Narvarte.

Check to link above for a website featuring a small video on the fonda.

Tacos! Where to find the best tacos in DF!

Tacos El Chupacabras at the side of Sanborns at the Centro Coyoacan shopping centre are worth a visit for anyone who wants to taste some of Mexico cities best authentic street tacos.

Mexico city must have thousands of taco stands - you can find tacos on almost every street but the Chupacabras are known all over the city and people from all walks of life visit the small stand in the Coyoacan area to taste the original "chupa cabras" taco - Even the NY times have been here and written about the little place.

Chupacabras is open everyday of the week - passing the shopping mall in Coyoacan make a left and the taco stand will be there with a few others, look out for the sign !

Nearest metro station : coyoacan

Drinking in Mexico city - showing your I.D

One thing that most people don´t take out in thier bags when they are wandering around Mexico city is Identification but its a very good idea if you want to be able to buy alcohol and sit and have a beer or two. Federal law states that any person caught selling alcohol to minors can face upto a 7 year prison sentence and for that reason, especially in Mexico city, no matter if you look 25 or 65, you may be asked to show your proof of age before you are served with alcohol, so remember, always carry official I.D!

Churros ! a sweet treat not to be missed!

I just came back from eating Churros so I had to write about the wonderful fried delights!

Churros are abit like donuts, made from thick batter and deep fried in hot oil until they are crisp and golden. Popular all over Latin America, Mexican churros are usually slightly thicker and come dusted with sugar and cinnamon and served with traditional mexican hot chocolate - delicious !

Churros can be found all over the city but there are two places that you may want to check out if

you want to try authentic mexican churros - "El Convento" and "El Moro".

CHURROS EL CONVENTO - the famous cafe south of the city that has been open since 1977 that reportedly make and sell over 2,500 churros on a daily basis. The churros at "El convento" are known for being crunchier than in other places in the city. Choose from three types of hot chocolate to go with your churros (sweet, mexican or semi sweet) or if you feel like eating alittle more, El Convento also sells Tortas (mexican sandwiches) and hamburgers, sodas and milkshakes. A new "branch" of El Convento has recently opened across the street located at Av. de la paz 53, local 3. Expect to pay $35 mexican pesos for a cup of chocolate and four churros and aprox. $35 mexican pesos for a large sandwich.

You can find the original branch of Churros El Convento at Plaza del Carmen 4, San Ángel. Open Monday to Friday from 8am until 1am and Saturdays and Sundays 9am until midnight.

Tel : 5616 0978

EL MORO - Another legendary Mexico city "Churreria" located in the centre of the city close to the

main square and Bellas Artes on Eje Central. El Moro is open 24hrs a day but only serves Chocolate and Churros in the early hours of the morning. El Moro is larger than El Convento and alot more expensive.

El Moro is located at :

• Eje Central Lazaro Cardenas 42, Ciudad de México, México
• Tel : 55 12 08 96
• 
  
• El Convento vs El Moro - if you want the real churro experience I would say that El Convento is the better of the two places. El Convento is smaller and has a nicer atmosphere, the service is quick and the Churros are very fresh. Also, El Convento is almost half the price of downtowns "El Moro".

Odün - our new favourite place in the Condesa

Our new favourite place in the Condesa offers a mix of "asain" cuisine from countries such as thailand and cambodia with north african dishes such as Lamb Tangine also creeping onto the menu. The menu has a great range of starters, mains and desserts - try the chai creme brulee, its to die for!

Portions are a good size and the menu is priced very well for the quality of food and given that most condesa restaurants can be slightly on the expensive side. Everything we were served seemed to be very fresh and prepared to order which is always a plus!

We spent just over $500.00 pesos for 3 courses for two plus drinks and came away very satisfied.

Odun is open from 1pm until 11pm, 7 days a week with live music playing atleast twice a week.

Odün

Michoacán 103-A

Col. Roma Norte

Tel. 5211 6565

Mero Toro - dining in the Condesa

Mero Toro came as a breathe of fresh air to the Condesa scene. Mero Toro is one of the Condesas hippest places to eat out. After a brief period when standards waivered, its nice to see that Mero Toro is back on top form. If you want to experience contemporary Mexican dining at its best you should give Mero Toro a try. Although the drinks list is a little expensive, dinner for this sort of place is a steal and you can eat for under $600.00mx.

Sadly Bartender Joseph has recently left Mero Toro so we hope that they find a replacement soon who can make a mojito just as good as Mero Toros last head Bartender.

Mero Toro
Ámsterdam 204
Between Iztacihuatl & Chilpancingo
Condesa
Tel. 5564-7799
Open Sunday through Saturday, 2-11:00PM (closed Monday)

Nearest Metro Station Chilpancingo

Cheap eating in Condesa

Located on one of the condesas prettiest streets is Boca 21. A deli serving fresh and healthy food from 9am-10.30pm, 7 days a week. The deli specialises in tasty sandwiches with fillings such as salmon, turkey and spanish chorizo. The deli also has a range of pasta, salad and "woks" to choose from. Customers can choose from a range of fresh juice or wines and beers to go with thier meals but note that the deli does not sell sodas. If you feel hungry and need to eat cheaply in the condesa you should definatley give this place a try - the sandwiches are available on four types of bread with a wide variety of fillings and although simple, they are very tasty. Prices range from $40.00-65.00mx.

Boca 21 Deli

Amsterdam e iztlazihuatl 36

Esquina con Iztaccihuatl

Col. Condesa

Tel. 5584-8466

Turkish food in Mexico City

The opening of Mexico City’s first (that we know of) Turkish restaurant is welcome news.After living in London with a Turkish Cypriot boyfriend and eating a wide variety of turkish cuisine this was a place that i really wanted to try out.

Istanbul- a comfortable little place with an outdoor seating area a few blocks north of Reforma.
The small appetizers are the specialty here and the restaurant offers over 150 varieties of "Meze" , although only 7 or so are featured at any given time— the menu changes throughout the year.

A dozen main dishes are on the menu, including kebabs and grilled meats - mostly lamb, which is unusual in Mexico. There is also fish and everything is served with salad and rice.(I love turkish rice so this was a real treat too)

Desserts such as the dried apricots in caramel sauce, served with home-made ice cream or baked rice pudding are real pleasers.
This is home-style food, its not fancy and most importantly - it is undoubtedly authentic. Prices are reasonable, and the service is friendly.

Istanbul Turkish Cuisine

Río Pánuco 163, Colonia Cuauhtémoc
Tel. 5511-2482
Open daily 11:30-1AM
$200-250 per person

http://www.istanbulturkishcuisine.com/index.html

Hosteria La Bota - Mexican "Kitsch" at its finest

Most definatley one of our favorite places to sit and have a beer, Michelada style, in the City...

"Hostería: La Bota,” a restaurant-bar with traditional Mexican and

Spanish menu as well as: Tapas & Pizza. The atmosphere is laid back and friendly and it will be a feast for the eyes and pure pleasure for any lovers of all things "Kitsch"

Hosteria La Bota is located on Calle Regina between Bolivar and 5 de Febrero - Centro Historico

Cheap Travel Tips - Mexico City on a budget

Forget anything you have heard about Mexico City. It is home to a vast network of chic museums, top-notch restaurants and trendy nightclubs.
What is even better is that the city is also a great distination for budget travel!

With just a few pesos you can get up close with world-renowned art inside the cities centuries-old buildings, wander through Aztec ruins in the heart of the city, and sip cocktails on rooftop bars where DJs play the latest international music.Its true !


On weekends, you can take free dance and martial arts lessons in the parks infront of Bellas Artes and close to the artisan market closeby at Balderas. You can even try tango classes in the Condesas Parque Espana around 12 midday. You can ride a bike every Sunday to the cities main square, the Zócalo, when Reforma is shut to traffic for people to ride bikes,scooters, walk thier dogs and rollerblader. Reforma and the area opens again to traffic at around 2pm.
You dont have a bike in Mexico you say ?! No problem !! Mexico city will lend you one for free !! Just go to one of the Bike rental stands located on Reforma close to "El Angel" and leave your i.d and off you go !!


Getting around:

Get on the Turibus, a double-decker bus that gives you a bird's-eye view while taking you to all the attractions for about US$12, and depending on where you want to go - for two pesos, the metro is a steal and is relatively safe for travellers.

Must-sees: With tons of museums, you can easily overdose on art in DF. Topping the list are the awe-inspiring murals by Diego Rivera and other Mexican legends in the Palacio de Bellas Artes, which also has temporary contemporary exhibits and a stunning performance called the Ballet Folklorico showcasing the country's traditional dances. Guided tours run twice a day at Bellas Artes and are FREE ! Closest metro stop is Bellas Artes

From Bellas Artes walk down Francisco Madero Street to the Zócalo,the second largest city square in the world with impressive colonial buildings, including a 1596, blue tile-covered mansion which is today the most famous branch of Mexican chain "Sanborns".

Off the Zócalo is the Palacio Nacional, or National Palace, where Mexican muralist Diego Rivera painted the entire history of Mexico on its walls. It's free to get inside and there are english speaking guides to explain the artwork. From the Palacio nacional you get great views of the square so dont forget your camera!!. Dont forget to take your passport though as you will need it to get inside. Photocopies will be accepted.

On the other side of the Zócalo is the Metropolitan Cathedral, the oldest in the Latin America and also one of the largest.

Behind the cathedral, the Centro Cultural de Espana, funded by the Spanish Embassy, has extensive contemporary art exhibits and a cafe with very good tapas, mostly under $5. On Thursday nights, DJs play at the rooftop cafe.

Prehispanic ruins: The city is full of ruins. One of the best is the Templo Mayor, or Great Temple, a site squashed between businesses and government buildings off the Zócalo. Workers discovered the Aztec ruins in the mid-1970s. The Aztecs are believed to have built the temple in the 1300s. The ruins include a wall of stone skulls representing the human heads the Aztecs used to put on display after sacrificing people to the gods. The entrance fee is less than $3. Better yet, on Sundays the museum is free. If you're still craving more history, hit the National Museum of Anthropology in Chapultepec Park - which is a truely wonderful musuem. Traditional mexican "flyers" can be seen outside the museum also which is something not to be missed !

Neighborhoods: La Roma and La Condesa are hubs of hipness and worth a day of strolling, stopping for Chiapas-grown coffee and people-watching in one of the funky cafes, or checking out the many art galleries is always a good afternoon spent. There are also plenty of boutiques of young designers who mesh colorful embroidered Indian fabrics into chic dresses, skirts and shirts. Start at Galeria OMR off the Rio de Janeiro plaza and wander down Orizaba Street to Alvaro Obregon. Then head to Parque Mexico. Check this bilingual list of galleries:
www.arte-mexico.com/galeries.htm.

Surviving the city: If the noise of cars and traffic gets too much, you can find a little calm wandering through the 550-acre Chapultepec Park one of the worlds largest urban parks with its lake and zoo. The zoo is free and has some animals that you may not have seen before. You can also visit the free Botanical Gardens, of Mexico's National Autonomous University. The cactus-and-maguey-studded gardens are set among lava outcroppings - once again, dont forget your camera !

Night life: Mama Rumba in La Roma (close to condesa) is a sure bet to boogie away the night. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, the $4 cover charge also includes free salsa lessons before 10 p.m., when the live Cuban band kicks in.

Traditional cantinas throw in sizable appetizers, almost a meal in themselves, with $3 beers. Try the 1928 Cantina La Guadalupana in Coyoacan, where Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo drank tequila. For the cutting-edge side of Coyoacan, visit La Bipolar. Owned by young mexican actor Diego Luna, the bar offers marlin tostadas and walls covered in plastic crates.It really is something else.

.

Lucha Libre, Mexico's masked wrestling spectacular, is a must for lovers of kitsch. On Tuesdays, hit the small, traditional Arena Coliseo for the best two-hour show $2.50 can buy, or go for the glitzy televised productions at Arena Mexico, where tickets run between $4 and $13. Be sure to pick up a cheap mask of your favorite hero outside and cheer the loudest that you can. Note that a general rule is that photography is not permitted inside.

Food: Tacos are our favourites, but so is the vast variety of other kinds of dishes available in Mexico city that you should give something else a go. There's no better place than the capital to get a sampling of Mexico's diverse food.We seem to be really into fusion and sushi at the moment.

La Tecla in Roma (Durango 86-A, Colonia Roma) is one of the most affordable places to try Nouveau Mexican food, such as duck enchiladas with mango sauce. Meals are generally under US$10.

Another good bet is long standing restaurant "La Sandia" which was recently revamped by new owners and a menu including mouth watering Chiles Rellenos - breakfast or lunch is under US$20. (Avenida Río San Ángel 86 Inbetween Revolución and InsurgentesColonia. Guadalupe Inn)

For breakfast if you are wanting something reliable and simple try Los bisquets de Obregón - a favourite with branches all over the city and the first located at Álvaro Obregón esq. Mérida in the colonia Roma. Dont forget to try the "Bisquets" which are like a scone but ten times better!!

If you want to spot a Mexican celebrity whilst staying in the city, stop at Frutos Prohibidos y Otros Placeres (forbidden fruits and other pleasures), an outdoor corner cafe with a long list of great fruit smoothies, salads and wraps in the Condesa.

Shopping:

The Ciudadela market at Balderas has a large variety for traditional crafts, its not the cheapest but its the best in the city and although it is known to some in the city as "the tourist market" - it really is very good and has a great history. It's open every day and you will most probably see alot of tourists in this area. For more upscale art, try the saturday market in San Angel.

If you read Spanish, pick up a copy of Chilango magazine or Donde Ir magazine for articles and reviews of whats going on.

Gastronomica La Sandia - Great Food at "La Sandia"

Gastronomica La Sandia
La Sandia Restaurant - Mexico City


La Sandia ( the watermelon ) is a great little spot a little off the beaten tourist trail but not to be passed by if you are in the city and looking for a nice breakfast or lunch.
Open all week long, a small restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere and very attentive service, the food is varied and the menu features international cuisine,salad bar and a wide selection of different "chiles rellenos" which are not to be missed.
A really great little place with very reasonable prices - breakfasts and lunches for under mx$200.00 per person.



Tel. 56624583

Avenida Río San Ángel 86-B Inbetween Revolución and Insurgentes
Colonia. Guadalupe Inn

Closest Metro station : Miguel Ángel de Quevedo

Trying some new food in Mexico

When most people think about mexican food, they think "burritos" but real mexican food (not tex-mex) is diverse and almost every state has there own style of cooking. Don´t leave Mexico City without trying the following:

• Tacos al pastor

Perobably the best tacos you will eat are Tacos al pastor (shepard style). The started in Mexico city and are thought to have been a take on the kebab served by many lebanese in Mexico. The pork is marinated in spices and chilis and the tacos are served usually with onions, cilantro (coriander) pineapple, guacamole and lime on a small tortilla.

• Pozole

Pozole is a famous mexican stew or soup made from hominy and pork with various garnishes, very ppular in the state of Guerrero.

• Quesadillas

Everyone in Mexico eats Quesadillas wether for breakfast or a light evening snack. Tortillas are filled with chihuahua or oaxaca cheese, folded and cooked until melted and usually served with a spicey green salsa. A favourite especially with kids. My favourites come from a stand behind the sanborns on paseo de las palmas in Lomas de Chapultepec where many people go for a quick lunchtime snack.

• Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles are a poplur dish to eat at breakfast or at brunch. The crunchy tortilla squares are topped with spicey green salsa, refried breans,cheese, sour cream and often chicken.

• Huevos Rancheros

Mexican scrambled eggs including chili, pepper and tomato.

• Arrachera

You can find Arrachera houses and takeouts all over serving this marinated beef.

• Micheladas

This is a "prepared beer", popular in Mexico since the 1940s and comes in a few ways but most commonly is a mix of beer, tomato juice, chili, worchester sauce, lime and salt.

• Huaraches

Originating in Mexico city in the 1930s, Huarches take there name from the sandal shaped masa. Huaraches are a fried corn base with various topping which you can find all over the city.

• Tamales

A "tamal" is a mix of corn dough with a filling either sweet or savoury which is steamed in a corn husk. In Mexico city the "torta de tamal" is popular, which is a tamale of your choice in a fresh white bread bun and is filling enough as a small meal on the go or for breakfast. Many latin american countries have something typical to the tamale but it is estimated that over 1000 versions with various fillings are to be found in Mexico.
Mexican Tamales that you find in the USA are usually not very good and its hard to find places that make Tamales in Europe so don´t forget to try one whilst you are here.

A night on the town with Mexico Citys big spenders...

A good area to start is Polanco, particularly a street called Masaryk, if you want to mingle with Mexico Cities big spenders and high flyers. Polanco is where you'll find lots of good clubs and bars but it is best to make a reservation. Entrace is judged on appearance in most places and to get a table a minimum 2 bottle service is required usually, unless its a slow night [min. US$80 per bottle].

Posh and upper scale night clubs can be found in the Lomas area, particularly the Hyde, Shine, Sense and Disco Lomas Clubs,with cover charge ranging from 250 pesos upwards and bottles start at 130 USD. As these are the most exclusive in town getting in can be a problem on busy nights. If you do decide to go out and you cant decide which, the best bet is probably the Hyde nightclub, located at the "Edificio del Pantalón". Dress elegantly and be aware as the most powerful and rich people in mexico are the main clients, and any bad behaviour might get you into trouble!

Below are a list of my reccomended A-Class bars for you to try out :

Habita Rooftop Bar, Habita Hotel, Presidente Masaryk 201, Polanco

The uber- boutique hotels rooftop bar is popular all year round with locals and visitors to the city. There is a live DJ and in winter outdoor heaters to keep you warm. The drinks list is extensive but the most popular are the cocktails and martinis. Videos and Light shows are projected from the rooftop onto a nearby wall and the bar gives a good view over the city. I been here a few times and its a really nice space to sit with friends or as a pre club bar. You will usually find a 25+ crowd here, mainly couples and small groups of friends.

Whiskey Bar ( W Bar) at the W Hotel 252 Campos Eliseos, Polanco

Cosmopolitan style bar of the W hotel that attracts the usual wealthy and well-groomed suspects: dozens of leggy Latin ladies with dark and handsome designer suited men in pursuit. The beautiful set are drawn as much to the exclusive ambience and the swanky, clean-lined interiors, as they are too the perfectly-mixed drinks, from apple martinis and raspberry cosmopolitans to various champagne-based concoctions. If you get peckish there's refined Solea restaurant upstairs, offering modern Mexican hits such as roast chicken breasts with lasagne of enchiladas, but we say order a whiskey soda, sink into a couch in the lounge, and gaze at the beautiful crowd. Make a reservation as tables are gone very quickly unless you are eating. Many visitors say this is the best Mexico City "eye candy" spot and its a good place to mix and meet others.

REXO , Saltillo 1 (Corner of Vicente Suarez) Colonia Condesa, Telephone:00 52 55 5553 5337

Rexo would be my bar/restuarant of choice for a meal or drink that is sure not to disapoint in the city. Located on the corner of Vicente Suarez the ultra modern arquitecture and the red glow make you want to take a closer look as soon as you see this place for the first time.
REXO oens at 6pm and closes at 2am. The Split-level restaurant-bar is for moneyed movers and shakers although the crowd does get more youthful on weekends. Rexo is spread over three floors. Design touches include glass walls with street views while the dress code is New York black, with tie-less suits favoured by the men. The menu is spanish/med tapas and the desserts are very good.

Cosmo, Avenida Presidente Masaryk 410 Colonia Polanco Telephone: 00 52 55 5281 4412

A short walk from the Habita and slightly less upmarket, Cosmo, is home from home for western-looking style slaves in Versace, Armani and various other labels they've recently come across. Moody lighting helps those who haven't got the right make-up on and music is at just the right volume to get the feet tapping. Drinks of choice are martinis and staff are surprisingly polite despite the obvious pretension of the place. Regulars are 30-something professionals although a younger crowd is increasingly in evidence. Cosmo is a pretty decent place to go and socialise, meet people and have a nice drink in the city.

El Cluv, Pabellón Bosques, Prol. Bosque de la Reforma

El Cluv is one of the citys most popular spots and attracts the high spending crowd dressed in thier finest. Entrance is on the strict side but as long as you are dressed well and are ready to spend money, you will have no problems here.
Music is international and inoffensive as you’d expect at this kind of nightspot, where how you look and who you’re with are the only things that matter.

Bar Milan , Calle Milán 18 Zona Rosa Telephone: +55 5592 0031

Bar milan is where people from all parts of the city come together to to mix which is unusual in the city. Clients range from CEO´s to clerks and shop assistants and the bars margaritas and mojitos are famous. The bars unique cuurency are the "milagros" (miracles) that you trade your mexican pesos for at the door and with which you buy your drinks inside Milan. The music is generally loud with varying styles but the atmosphere is good and although the bar is situated in the Zona Rosa which is considered to be the gay district of the city, this bar is not a gay bar but attracts many different faces including visitors.
Dont forget to change your unspent milagros at the door back into pesos before you leave!




More Bar tips and revues coming soon.