10/2/08

Condesa / Roma: new restaurant discoveries

This was one of my first posts, back in 2008. The information is still relevant!___________________________________________________

Welek Exquisito Cochinita Pibil
Campeche 122 (across from the Mercado Medellín) Colonia Roma
Open daily until about 8
$
This small simply-named fonda serves excellent Yucatecan food - the sopa de lima, made to order, is as fragrant as it should be, and of course the cochinita is succulent. The beautiful array of salsas is tempting, but watch out: one is more picante than the next.
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La Veracruzana - Fonda de MariscosMedellín 198B, corner of Chiapas, Colonia Roma
Tel. 5574 0474
open daily until 7
$
Located behind the Centro Comercial Plaza Insurgentes, this charming little spot with an outdoor patio offers the usual seafood options, i.e. ceviches, tostadas, filetes etc., but does everything especially well and the prices are more than reasonable.
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Boca 21 Deli
Av. Amsterdam at Plaza Iztaccihuatl 36 , La Condesa
tel. 5584-8466
$
A pleasant new cafe/bar featuring Spanish-style "bocadillos" (sandwiches) and tapas.Good for lunch or a vino and tapa...
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Bistro Mosaico
Michoacán 10, Condesa(and its branches)
Now open their doors at 7:30 AM for breakfast
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La Casa del Mole Negro
Av. Insurgentes Sur 295 (between Celaya & Popocateptl)Colonia Condesa
Metrobus: Sonora
Tel. 5564 8043
Open for comida only
$
Although the décor is dreary, this simple restaurant offers well prepared and authentic comida Oaxaqueña. As the name advises, mole negro is the specialty, and it is sweet and smoky and available in several different formats such as with chicken, in enchiladas, or alone with rice. Also excellent are the crisp and savory tlayudas: a typical market dish in Oaxaca City; they are large, thin, crisply fried tortillas, buttered with meaty tasting asiento (un-clarified pork fat – better than it sounds) and sprinkled with fresh cheese and onions. The chile Oaxaqueño relleno is a small green chile, filled with a savory picadillo of meat and almonds, satisfyingly rich. Another popular item is carne asada, (marinated and grilled meat). This a good place to sample the rich and varied cuisine of Oaxaca.
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PrimosMichoacan 168, corner of Mazatlan, Condesa
Tel. 5256-0950
Open Monday, Tuesday 1-11PM, Wednesday-Saturday 1-12AM; Sunday 1-6PM
$$$
This recent addition to the growing list of “bistros”, the catch-all term for what we used to call “continental cuisine” restaurants, is the current see-and-be-seen hotspot of La Condesa but the food is actually very good - an extensive list of standard Spanish tapas are offered (tortilla española, croquetas etc.) as well as an interesting menu of seasonal dishes such as lamb with white beans, nicely perfumed with rosemary and mint or magret (duck breast) with lentils. The obligatory gussied up hamburger is surprisingly tasty as are the crunchy golden French fries, the best we ’ve had in the city. The wine list is smart but rather pricey and the service was haphazard at best on a recent visit, unusual in this town. As it is always packed, reservations are in order, and be advised that smokers are seated outside so you may be surrounded by aromatic stogies and their noisy owners.
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Rincón Criollo
Yucatan 40A (corner of Insurgentes) Colonia Roma
Open Monday through Friday, 12-10PM; Saturday 3-10PM
$
This little outdoor Argentine fonda is snuggled up against the "Farmacia de Ahorro", an eyesore you can't miss on the east side of Av. Insurgentes. Set up as a cute café with a counter and umbrellad tables, the simple and very reasonable menu offers several choices of grilled meats, sandwiches and excellent empanadas. The main dishes are served with a well dressed salad and everything tastes like an Argentine abuela made it. PD - gracias a Tom y Juan Carlos
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La Toma de TequilaToluca 28-C at Baja California Metro Centro Médico (at the “Toluca” exit)
Tel. 5584 5250
Open 1PM – 8PM Daily
$-$$
This homey place specializes in the cuisine of Chihuahua, the northern state from which owner Raul Vargas hails – his wife is from Jalisco, which explains the incongruous use of “Tequila” in the name. Set in the second floor of an old house, the cheerful red and blue tablecloths, yellow walls, old wood floors and Northern-themed prints are warm and comforting. The menu features specialties of the region such as asados, meats prepared in a red “Colorado” or green “pasado” sauce and served with large, fresh wheat tortillas. The sopa de tortilla is fragrant with cumin and served with chicharrón, avocado and roast chiles as a garnish, and the frijoles norteñas are garnished with queso Chihuahua, a more pungent fresh cheese and different chiles. The lemonade is rich and not too sweet, and deserts, such as Tequila flan are exceptional. Ask to sample their special house mezcal . No credit cards are accepted.
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