nickarte

I think they have cash machines, only problem is they don't have anything you want to spend the cash on.

Actually, I am going to Vientiane because I am sponsering (privately, i.e. directly) a kid to go to university, so I am going to visit him. No, Vientiane is not particularly happening. Makes Pnom Penh look like Paris. oh well. I'll just shut up and eat my bats.

I will be traveling around Burma (I hope!) in December and also a few days in Vientiane. Does anybody have some specific recommendations (i.e. with addresses or locations) on where to go. Hint: I eat in markets.....

← It might be a perilous walk, what with the Circuito and all, I don't think it's a very pedestrian friendly route - maybe better by taxi!

There is a special Oaxacan cultural fair going on now through September 14th, 2008. There are several huge restaurants set up serving all the typical Oaxacan specialties as well as many small stands selling moles, cheeses, chiles etc. and crafts. It is located outside of a big mall, the "Plaza de las Estrellas", at the Circuito Interior and Av. Marina Nacional, not far from Polanco. You can reach it by metro (Normal) as well. Well worth it for the food. We ate there yesterday - all 7 of the famous moles were on the menu!

Aguila y Sol is still closed as of mid August 2008, so take it off the list!

I would skip Pampano, but otherwise all of Ruth's suggestions are good. You might also consider the Coyoacán, San Pedro de los Pinos or Medellín markets where there are well known simple restaurants serving typical Mexican seafood specialties. El Jardin del Pulpo outside the Coyoacán market is great. Both Tezka and Biko are excellent Basque (not "Vasque") style places, probably the two best restaurants in the country right now, up there as well is Jaso.

There is an area here (in el DF) where they sell restaurant equipment, and a couple of high end fancy kitchen stores I could lead you to, but honestly, I have no idea what a "combi oven" is....

Now that Ruth has been "outed", here is her website: www.mexicosoulandessence.com She may have some suggestions on private classes.....

I wonder if La Criolla in Polanco might have it. No, Ruth, you can't replicate it...it's from Extremadura, and is used in many southern and Gallegan (Spanish) recipes. Better have someone who´s going to Spain pick you up a couple of cans at Corte Inglés - I just saw it there and it costs about 1 euro!

I will be driving across the north of Spain from San Sebastian (have lots of recs already) ending up in Santiago de Compostela. Can anybody recommend places to eat along the way? I prefer old-fashioned traditional food, am less interested in Michelin stars, and can't afford them anyway.

Here's the link to Amazon to see it: Good Food in Mexico City

The Glutton has the last word....let's get back in the kitchen!

The guys who do the glass thing are desperately poor and are "performing" for tips. While it is horrible, and I agree not to encourage it, they are in no way threatening to the public. The only bad thing I've ever heard to happen on the metro is pickpocketing.

We went to Tezka last night (Thursday, August 9th, around 8:45) and had a wonderful meal! I still think it's the best restaurant in Mexico! The service was not intrusive at all, if slightly unorganized: a few repeat "would you like to order now"s (only two bread refills)and there was no music on at all, thank God. We actually appreciated the casualness, it made us feel more relaxed. The food was excellent. Outstanding was an appetizer of wild mushrooms and foie gras: the mushrooms (which are in season here right now) were sauteed, a beautiful seared piece of foie, and a transparent sauce of emulsified egg yolk, very light and subtle. We split it amongst the three of us and it was more than enough, as, of course, it is very rich. Also nice was an ameuse bouche of "gazpacho de almendras" basically, the traditional Spanish ajo blanco, light and fragrant. My "ciervo" a wild venison, in "salsa de acietuna negra" was a perfectly done piece of meat, although the sauce was so subtle it was almost lost on me; I still enjoyed it. The Basque concept is to my liking as the food is unpretentious served as Julia Child would have liked, i.e. "natural" looking, no architecture or drizzles. (OK, I think there was a foam something, but we forgave it). We ordered the house wine (a Rioja reserva) which is reasonable at $350 pesos and it was excellent, we needn't have gone any higher. Desserts, as I have found before, are not so exciting, although you get some little chocolates and goodies for free which are enough. The chef, who greeted us was not Bruno Otieza, but a young (and good looking!) Spaniard from the Islas Baleares; unfortunately I did not catch his name. So, all in all a fine experience, 3 1/2 stars, and we will go back. Oh and the bill was $600 pesos or about US $55 per person. Not bad for all that!

Tezka is fabulous but is not open on Saturday evening.

PS - "8 or 9" is not a late dinner in Mexico....places that serve "cena" don't start filling up until after 9, so don't worry.

If you want someplace you can walk to I suggest Fonda El Refugio, Liverpool 166, in the Zona Rosa. tel 5525 8128. It is charming; it caters to foreigners, but not exclusively, and the food is very good, many Mexican classics done right. Close to Zona Rosa, on the other side of Reforma is Bistrot Arlequin Río Nilo #42, Cuauhtemoctel. 5207-5616. It is not Mexican, but the food is excellent. If you are going to get into a taxi, though, you might as well go to Polanco and try one of the higher end places there: el Bajio, Aguila y Sol, Izote etc.

To little fanfare, Taquería Beatriz, on Calle Uruguay in the historic center, has dissapeared. It was a small place with one long table, serving tacos de guisados and open in the same spot since 1907, making it the oldest surviving taqueria in Mexico. Granted, it did seem that both the clients and the staff were no spring chickens, but it is a real cultural loss, as culinary and ambience-wise there is nothing to replace it. Ni modo...

I live in Mexico City and do not find it to be dangerous. We who love this city are weary of hearing foreigners (and particularly the American press) promulgating untrue or exaggerated tales of terror, spreading fear and suspicion and thereby creating predjudice against Mexico and Mexicans. Of course there is crime here! Of course everybody knows of someone who was robbed. That's life in any big city. Ask a New Yorker or a Parisian. Yes, there are armed guards at places frequented by the privileged; that's life in a class-based society where there is a large gap between the haves and have-nots. I never "advise against using public transportation" I use it myself every day; the only "danger" is pickpocketing which can easily be avoided by not carrying anything of value and/or stashing valuables where they cannot be reached. If one is doubtful about hailing taxis off the street, there are sitios or cab stands all over the place, in every neighborhood and at hotels and places frequented by tourists. And there are safe radio taxis as well, which any restaurant will call for you. Even the most expensive radio taxi service is much cheaper than the equivelant New York cab ride. But the metro costs 20 US cents and is fast and clean, and I highly reccomend it! As many eGullet members know, Mexico City has a vibrant culinary culture and anyone interested in gastronomy ought to visit it to eat and study. I once more recommend the book "Mexico City: An Opinionated Guide for the Curious Traveler" by Jim Johnston, which is available on Amazon and explains in detail how to get around and deal with this admittedly formidible metropolis.

There aren't many Grand Divas left in any category! It IS a rare opportunity...

I believe it is sold out. It costs $2800 US for 3 days of classes...just so you know what you're getting into... There are people who teach in Mexico City, not as big stars, but perhaps as good if not better. Ricardo Muñoz is one. The school connected to Pujol is another as is Ambrosia. (www.ambrosia.com.mx) Of course these courses are in Spanish.

I meant new "edition"!

I am not sure if it available right now; a search on www.ghandi.com.mx came up with nothing. However, he has announced that a new addition will be coming out soon, 30% larger! I will make an announcement if and when I see this, also if I see any copies of the old one around and where.

I've eaten my way around Mexico City several times. It is so underrated as a food destination. From street vendors, to open air markets, to fine dining, Mexico City has it going on. It is truly unfortunate that most Americans have no appreciation for the greatness of real Mexican food. Here is a good guide book for those interested in the best food in Mexico City: Mexico City: An Opinionated Guide for the Curious Traveler . Disclaimer: I am related to the author, but it is a great book, even according to independent book reviewers (who are in no way related to the author)! ← It's a GREAT book!!! Best guide on the market..