Spotlight: Mexico City
Shedding light on one of Latin America’s richest gastronomic cultures
Sampling seafood at Nudo Negro, CDMX
I have been to Mexico City on multiple occasions now and I just can’t get enough of the city’s vibrant atmosphere, unique fashion, rich culture and outstanding food, all of which keep me coming back, year after year.
Mexico City, or CDMX as the acronym in Spanish goes, features two pages of bars and restaurants on the World’s 50 Best lists, but there are many more worth acclaim than those featured in this exclusive list. It truly is hard to go wrong in this city! To that end, I’m dropping (in no particular order) some sensational food and drink that I’ve noshed my way through in Mexico’s fantastic capital city.
Nudo Negro
Located in Roma Norte, on the corner of Jalapas and Zacatecas, Nudo Negro is one of my all-time favorite restaurants in CDMX.
Head by Chef Daniel Ovadía, the entire FOH and BOH staff here make you feel like you’re family. At one point my friend and I were invited into the kitchen along with some other guests to sample an amuse-bouche, after which the entire kitchen thanked us in unison. Here, the experience extends beyond just food.
Pujol
Ah, what to say about Pujol that hasn’t already been said? Probably nothing! So let me just confess that Pujol had been #1 on my list for years before I finally made my way to Mexico City. I tried and failed unsuccessfully to snag a reservation here on my first trip to CDMX in 2019. After reconciling myself to the disappointment that I may have to wait yet another few years in anticipation of eating here, I did in fact get a table at this famed institution in 2022!
My greatest fear was that I would sit down at Pujol after 6 years of yearning, only to find that it was overhyped and sorely lacking….Thankfully, that did not happen and I was rewarded for my patience with incredible flavors, warm and welcoming service, and a dining experience I will never forget.
Believe what you hear about the mole - when I first heard of this dish, I immediately thought “how pretentious can you be to charge this much for a swipe of sauce on a plate!” — And now, after having tasted it for myself (at the time I ate there, the aged mole was over 7,000 days old) I can honestly say I have never tasted anything so simple, and yet so deeply layered. A must!!
Quintonil
Both Pujol and Quintonil are located in the glamorous Polanco neighborhood of CDMX and try to showcase native Mexican ingredients and styles, but as far as commonalities go, that is where it ends.
Quintonil is to me, delivers food that is a bit more adventurous and surprising. Take for example the jellied cactus ceviche (photo #2), which to this day, I’ve not had anything quite like since. And as far as memorable dishes go, I still dream of their mole Oxtail taco (photo #7), which was the perfect combination of tender, flaky meat combined with sumptuous blast of chocolatey-bitter mole. Chef’s kiss!
Loup
Throwing in a curveball here and dropping in a selection that is not actually a restaurant, but a lovely natural wine bar: Loup! Featuring a cozy atmosphere (I went with a girlfriend, but perfect for a date), Loup has a petit menu that boasts great flavor, packed into innovative small plates that complement their carefully selected wines. Come for the wine, stay for the food & great vibes!
