Considered by The Wall Street Journal as a contender for the world’s greatest food city, DF is finally becoming the epicenter of culinary inspiration. World renown for having the most exotic and ancient spices, Mexican cuisine is now being embraced by the finest artisan markets, and top restaurants around the globe.
After years of reading numerous articles and listening to friends rave about the Mexican haute-cuisine, I decided to have a firsthand experience and I went. Upon my return to the US, I was bewildered at the amount of terrific food I had been missing out on. Eating from street-corner joints and mechanical-stores-turned-restaurant-by-night, to chic Michelin-starred restaurants, I found that they all had a common denominator: the cuisine has “the touch” that you could only find at your Latin grandmother’s home (assuming you have one), and nowhere else.
Mexico City might be considered by many unadventurous travelers as city too big to handle, however, when you get there, you will find it oozes with visitors that have a passion for travel and obsession for good food. Here are the top spots you should sleep at, eat at and visit while in DF.
Thursday:
2:00pm- Check into Mexico City’s finest hotel, Las Alcobas. This 35 guest room hotel features the lavish radiance of warmth and comfort you need after the hustle and bustle of the city. The award winning restaurant and old world healing therapies at The Spa are the key ingredients to make your Mexico City trip unforgettable.
Another favorite is the St. Regis. Resting above the vibrant Paseo de la Reforma, The St. Regis Mexico City is in a prime location for travelers interested in the hustle and bustle. The views are spectacular.
If you’re looking for the trendiest hotel, opt for Condesa DF. The Condesa DF, in Mexico City’s hippie Condesa area, is a youthful, current, and carefully designed luxury boutique hotel that honors the feel of the neighborhood perfectly.
3:00 pm- Grab a quick lunch at Lucas Local. I still dream about their lobster grilled cheese, asparagus salad, ceviche tostadas and manchego fondant.
4:00 pm- Take a quick trip to Casa Azul: One of the favorite museums in Mexico City exhibits the life and work of its most famous artist: Frida Kahlo. You will also learn fascinating stories of Diego Rivera and her house-guest and lover, Leon Trotsky.
9:00 pm– Eat: Dulce Patria makes a work of art out of every dish, this updated Mexican restaurant from Chef Martha Ortiz, adds a joyful twist to the haute Mexican cuisine. The interior of the restaurant has a festive ambiance which you will love. It is also located in Las Alcobas Hotel.
Friday:
10:00 am- Stop for some delicious breakfast at The Tea Connection. This coffee shop/ breakfast spot is fantastic for a quick super-healthy breakfast. If you don’t want to get out of bed but you want breakfast, call Reset, they deliver! Ask for the GreenEnergy, it’s the best! (+55 29 197254)
12:00 pm- Museo Nacional de Antropología: The museum holds the largest artifacts from Mexico’s pre-Columbian epochs, including the famous Piedra del Sol, the famous Aztec Calendar Stone, as well as the famed 16th-century statue of Xochipilli.
3:00 pm- Grab lunch at Contramar: In Mexico, it is very common to indulge in delicious seafood to cure hangovers, and Contramar is that spot. Often times after lunch, the ambiance is so lively, that you might end up staying there all afternoon, and maybe have dinner as well.
4:30 pm-Visit the world famous Museo Soumaya. Carlos Slim was the force behind it, honoring his late wife Soumaya.
8:30 pm- It’s dinnertime: Eat at Maximo. The Chefs share a passion for local gastronomy, and with this idea, they only use local products and change the menu daily depending on what is available at the local markets.
11:00 pm- Have after-dinner drinks at Gin Gin, Mexico City’s hottest new bar. Their three top drinks are The Golden Fleece, The Golden Acapulco, and the Mexican Acidito Pimms, you can’t go wrong!
Saturday:
10:00 am- Start your day at Rosetta. If you are looking for authentic Italian cuisine, Rosetta is your stop. The rustic design is by the chef’s husband, architect Jaime Serra. Rosetta is small and dim light, with a true tuscan feel.
11:30am- Spend the day at Teotihuacan. The UNESCO World Heritage sits in the Mexico City region, Teotihuacán. It contains some of the largest pre-Columbian pyramids in all of Mexico. Be sure to hire a private driver to make your trip as seemless possible.
4:00pm- Have lunch at Tori Tori. Talk about nailing the perfect balance between futuristic and Japanese decor. When you walk in, the restaurant might wow you, but wait until you try their food. You will die and come back.
If Japanese is not what you’re craving, try Mythos. This Greek restaurant is the hottest restaurant in Mexico City right now!
Lastly, if you want to try a trendy and amazing restaurant, Lazaro in Blanco Colima is the place to go and bump into everyone you might know in town. The old house turned restaurant is as pretty as its food.
8:30pm- Saturday night is the night to splurge on Pujol. It’s now widely thought of as Mexico’s finest restaurant—and the 36th best in the world, according to the scrutinized S. Pellegrino rankings. Chef Olvera, who trained at New York’s Culinary Institute of America before returning home, is the country’s most celebrated chef.
Or try Biko, another Micheli-starred restaurant. The Basque-inspired menu is divided in half—one side traditional Spanish dishes, the other modern interpretations.
10:00PM- Grab dessert at Que Bo. The Chocolateria located in the “centro historico” was awarded the most prestigious international chocolate guide by “Club des Croqueurs de Chocolat! “, which is the largest group of passionate chocolatier professionals worldwide. The prehistoric and pure Mexican cacao gives it a taste so unique; you will want to buy the whole store, or take Chef Castillo home.
Sunday:
10:00 am- Breakfast at Eno. By the famous chef Enrique Olvera.
12:00pm- Before you leave you must check out Bellas Artes. Considered the cultural center of Mexico City, the Palacio de Bellas Artes is a must-see. The palace features Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles,while showcasing murals from Rufino Tamayo, a famous Mexican muralist.
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