http://www.chow.com/boards/55 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:44:59 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://www.chow.com/topics/669468#5204579 In my facination of the Paladar of Cuba - "Most restaurants in Cuba are controlled by the government, but there is another option for visitors and it's called a Paladar, which means dining in people's homes." I have begun to wonder if this type of dining exists in Mexico. As the Cuban Paladar is a creation stemming from its political situation, these 'hidden restaurants' or 'supper clubs' have also been popping up more in other cities of the world as offspring of budding chefs or passionate foodies. I am hoping that in a country so food loving as Mexico, there is sure to be one or two of these dining experiences around. I don't mind if it is a old shack, in some palatial home or a one off experience in a kitchen that is usually shut from visitors, as long as it has a story, and a delicious (or not so delicious) meal at the end of it.. Any advice would be much appreciated. I am planning to be in Mexico and then travel to neighbouring countries in June of next year. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:44:59 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669468#5204579 http://www.chow.com/topics/668385#5203870 El Chilar in San Jose is excellent. Also the restaurant across from Encanto behind the furniture/furnishings store Paulina's - I think maybe it is Voila but that doesn't sound quite right. But it is really really good food and somewhat more interesting than other places. If you plan to come to Todos Santos let me know and I will give you some suggestions. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:52:30 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668385#5203870 http://www.chow.com/topics/667663#5202315 Good choices. My favourite places are Patzcuaro, Morelia, Puebla, Oaxaca, Zihuatanejo, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Guanajuato, Zacatecas. I adore Mexico City but understand if you want to go to more tranquil places. I once spent 10 day in Puerto Escondido and had a marvelous time there relaxing (rwe stayed at the quirky Hotel Paraiso Escondido). I recommend the Santa Fe Hotel on Zicatela Beach for dinner. You could just plan your itinerary around the archeological sites. One of my favorite hotels in the world is the Villas Arquelogicas in Coba, though the one in Uxmal is great too, if you wanted to do more of a Yucatan thing. Campeche is a very interesting walled city too. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:15:06 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667663#5202315 http://www.chow.com/topics/586341#5202021 Your lemons are our "limas" and your limes are our "limones"! That´s the cause of the cofusion. I´ve seen yellow lemons at Superama and Mega Comercial Mexicana, much expensive than the regular "limón persa" , and they don´t have them all the time. Central de Abastos should be a good place to find them. I tried to grow a plant in DF...no luck, and you cannot bring a tree to Mexico because they carry an illness called the tristeza virus (?) Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:40:11 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/586341#5202021 http://www.chow.com/topics/668757#5200738 I'll second Cristina on Hamburguesas Richard's. I like to get two, no catsup, mustard on the side, an order of papas fritas, and a cool, soothing horchata. I can't handle but a little bite or two of the chiles toreados served on the side. http://picasaweb.google.com/doncuevas/HamburguesasRichardSMorelia121807251PM# Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:45:14 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668757#5200738 http://www.chow.com/topics/650372#5199055 Los Almendros! mmm Queso relleno, papatzules, cotzitos, mucbipollo, sopa de lima, sopa de frijos con fideo, cochinita, venado.....why would anyone want some BBQ or nachos? whatever... Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:47:54 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/650372#5199055 http://www.chow.com/topics/370390#5197942 Another one you might check is El Arrayan which has in the past offered cooking lessons. It's the "best" Mexican restaurant in Puerto Vallarta. http://www.elarrayan.com.mx/home.php?sm=a Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:02:55 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/370390#5197942 http://www.chow.com/topics/667334#5197860 Oddly enough, I find that the white onions here in the Pátzcuaro, Michoacán area to be milder and sweeter than yellow onions. (The latter are hard to find.) At our favorite (admittedly non-coastal) marisquería here, Mariscos La Güera, the camarones en aguachile are garnished with red onion, no serranos, but a light sprinkling of dried red chile flakes. (In fact, in all the many, countless meals we've had at that restaurant, I've never seen any fresh chiles in use. Odd.) EDIT: Sorry, I'd decided not to upload that photo, as it's not really relevant, but I couldn't seem to cancel or delete it. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:42:47 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667334#5197860 http://www.chow.com/topics/668547#5196486 Good to hear that Pulpos a la Gallega is available, because everywhere else I've eaten it in restaurants in Mexico, it's been nothing like the real stuff. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:02:46 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668547#5196486 http://www.chow.com/topics/668282#5196333 I love Califa! And, Im usually the only gringa there. Another good place for tacos al pastor, etc is El Tizoncito on Tamalipas (there is another El Tizoncito on the side street that is good if the one on Tamalipas is packed. And C25 on the street that sort of merges with Culiacan near Park Amsterdam is excellent. Across from the Red Tree House Hotel. Probably the best meal I've had in DF and it would be a weekly spot if it was in NYC. I could eat tacos al pastor every meal, but if you want the stewed meat/vegetable style of tacos - Hola tacos on Michoacan at Amsterdam(?) - again, I was the only non-local at this place. Gets packed! Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:40:06 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668282#5196333 http://www.chow.com/topics/668506#5195284 Today I had lunch at Pitahaya Restaurante/Jugueria & Tes, located at Calle Regina 58-F, near the corner of 5 de Febrero. The proprietor/chef, Inés Monterrubio, serves some of the most creative cuisine I have eaten in Mexico City. I had the Ensalada Mare, which featured large shrimp cooked in a parsley sauce, tomatoes, and avocado over a bed of mixed lettuces, which was covered with very thin slices of cucumber. The dressing was a cumin vinaigrette (65 pesos). For dessert, I had a tasty mamey mousse (40 pesos). Other representative items on the menu are: Molletes Gitanos -- serrano ham over tomatoes sprinkled with olive oil (65 pesos). Fettuccini with a acuyo (hoja santa) pesto (65 pesos). Tuna a la plancha ($85 pesos). Tiramisú (50 pesos Pitahaya also serves seasonal juices and various teas. Srta. Monterrubio opened Pitahaya six months ago. It is a welcome addition the Mexico City casual dining scene. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:29:40 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668506#5195284 http://www.chow.com/topics/668466#5195041 I have never posted on Chowhound. I did some advance planning on Chowhound before my departure on November 12, 2009. I found the information useful and feel I should return the favor to other users. I am just going to post in the order we ate while in Mexico City Our first dinner was at Pujol. I saw some of the other "posters" found Pujol expensive. I could not disagree more. It was worth every peso. We live in Napa and maybe we have lost all our senses about what is reasonable. But, a burger, fries, and shake at Taylor's Refersher (St Helena) is almost $30 bucks. The FL (yountville) is over $200 and Coi (SF) was $125 recently. Pujol was a fixed $55 USD for about ten courses. It was a sweet deal. The food was fantastic. The best meal during our trip. The Mexican wines were wonderful too (thanks for the advice!). I am not a hard liquor person but our heavy drinkers raved about the cocktails at Pujol. In contrast to the other posts on CH I read I must say Pujol is a swinging deal. A lunch at Teothihuacan. We ate at La Gruta. It is in a big cave. The food was OK but the setting was cool. We selected our following dinner at the Hotel Habita in Polanco based upon the cool building - some of our group loves architecture. The roof top bar is fantastic - but I am a fan of roof top bars. After a few drinks we ate downstairs. It was a remarkably pleasant surprise. The food was excellent. Service was great. Menu in English was nice too. We took a walking tour of the San Juan Market organized by www.flavorsofmexicancuisine.com. It was excellent. I interviewed via email three "firms" that gave walking tours. My choice was driven by their easy going nature and desire to please us. The other two firms seemed to be more interested in squabbling about whom was most authentic. I care about us and our tour not YOU and your opinions. Flavors of Mexican Cuisine was very professional and exceed all our expectations (more on them later too). Biko Dinner. Here the PF menu was $52 USD. Everyone was very pleased with the food here but it fell far short of the flavors and number of courses of Pujol. It you are on the fence between Biko and Pujol I think it is a no brainer to go to Pujol. Lunch at Cafe de Tacuba - I absolutely loved my lunch here. They have an appetizer sampler and a lunch plate sampler. Great way to get a bunch of tastes. Beautiful setting with the blue tiles. All employees in uniforms...I like! One dinner we arranged for a cooking class by the Flavors of Mexican Cuisine folks. Emmanuel Prieto and Elsie Mendez Enriquez taught the class. It was fantastic. Maybe the highlight of our food experiences. We made appetizers, a shrimp dish, and mole for chicken. Again, they were wonderful to be around and made us feel relaxed and at home in their home as we all cooked, ate, and drank. Again, I looked into a few options for a hands on cooking class. They seemed to be the only two folks that immediately said "we want you happy and we want this to be exactly as you want." Much different from the other schools I talked to that said "go to our web site and see what we offer." They can scale these classes to all sizes. We were a group of ten. Foodies and non-foodies had a blast. Final dinner. Canneo in Condesa. After learning to make mole I had their mole three ways. It was good but not as good at Emmanuel's mole! Those that got the soup starters were very happy. As a final note - big picture - many told us how crazy we were to go to Mexico City. Flu, gangs, dirty. That is not what we experienced. We felt very safe the entire time and had a blast. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:09:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668466#5195041 http://www.chow.com/topics/668278#5193246 Leaving saturday morning for a trip to cancun and would love any and all recomendations. I am toying with renting a car so I can do some searching so if anyone can give me any ideas I would appreciate it. Looking to stay more on the authentic mexican fare or great seafood. Thanks Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:06:25 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668278#5193246 http://www.chow.com/topics/663907#5192701 Good luck with your new site. We've been going to Cabo for about 15 years. Solomon's landing is an old favorite. Brian had just opened when we started going and we were staying at the hotel that is now Tesoro. Lot of overlap in our likes. If you heven tried Mariscos Mazatlan, I highly recommend. I prefer them to Mocambos. They doa dish called zarandeado; which is a butterflied and gilled red snapper...fabulous. Here's few photo sets of some trips.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/61246842@N00/sets/72157613807978850/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/61246842@N00/sets/72157594492195591/ We go down again in mid Jan and I'll follow your site for new discoveries. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:16:17 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663907#5192701 http://www.chow.com/topics/630790#5191843 Oh, the cabrito place on Lopez/Reb de Uruguay is Salon Victoria, just remembered. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:00:16 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/630790#5191843 http://www.chow.com/topics/628201#5190735 My absolute favorite restaurant in Mexico is in Puebla- 'Meson Sacristia de la Compania'. It's actually a really original boutique hotel, but their restaurant is also well-known. The decor of the place is very unique and colorful, and they serve wonderful traditional dishes. All the decorations and antique furtniture in the hotel (in the rooms and in the restaurant part) is for sale, which also makes it very interesting. It's very central as well, very near the zocalo. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:46:19 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/628201#5190735 http://www.chow.com/topics/377056#5190502 30 something here that just got back from a short trip to PV with girlfriend. I wanted to thank everyone for their helpful input. On our three nights there my girlfriend and I had dinner at Trio, La Palapa and Barcelona. Trio was great: the food was delicious and the ambience was charming. La Palapa is a great place for a romantic dinner but the food was nothing spectacular. At Barcelona we must have ordered the wrong things as we thought the food was just ok. Too many dishes had emulsified sauces (too much mayo!). I must say however that the best dining experience on our short trip was simply having tacos at Pepe's tacos. The tacos al pastor is a must! Oh how I miss those tacos! Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:32:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/377056#5190502 http://www.chow.com/topics/659753#5188573 But for b/fast, I thought that the one in the centrol historico was fine and the location was gorgeous. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:25:38 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/659753#5188573 http://www.chow.com/topics/667314#5187451 Thanks bronwen. Maybe I'll save exploring for the 26th and take what I can get Christmas Day. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:07:21 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667314#5187451 http://www.chow.com/topics/623368#5186460 It's on Villalongin between Interior & Tigris. It looks like I just walk straight up Tigris. Thanks. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:13:11 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/623368#5186460 http://www.chow.com/topics/667449#5185985 Thanks for the heads-up. The price structure seems a bit high, but if someone has enough of a craving for the "real thing", I guess whatever the price charged is it's a "deal." Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:50:20 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667449#5185985 http://www.chow.com/topics/667038#5185972 I stay away from the most expensive restaurants when it comes to tacos - "keep it simple" is the advice I follow (and give). The best seafood tacos are found - near the sea. Inland fare will not be as good, typically - but Mexico City is a bit different because lots of seafood is shipped there from the coastal areas. Restaurant Canto de Sirenas in Colonia Tlaxpana is a classic and traditional seafood restaurant in the D.F. and you can find the seafood tacos there, as well as many other well-prepared, flavorful and reasonably priced seafood/fish dishes. Also, at the city's former central fishmarket adjacent to Mercado Sonora - one block away - there are a score or more restaurants selling nothing but seafood. Mercado de pescados y mariscos de la Viga, on Calzada de la Viga. For more information about Restaurant Canto de Sirenas, read a trip report of sorts I posted elsewhere: http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=25312 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:46:32 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667038#5185972 http://www.chow.com/topics/653576#5182646 I think you've already booked, but for future reference...the Royal Hideaway Playacar has pretty amazing food. The only buffet is breakfast which is extensive (and if you hate that idea, they offer a "sit down" breakfast in another location). The other restaurants are each unique and delicious. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:47:44 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/653576#5182646 http://www.chow.com/topics/664897#5180351 Having lived there myself, I agree. Unless added to the food was French wines and cognac and Cuban cigars, then maybe..... Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:11:42 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664897#5180351 http://www.chow.com/topics/665728#5178675 What a wonderful reply - and what wonderful alternatives to having merely a tourist experience in Mazatlan. Lovely, gracious and unique dining would not be the typical tourist exposure to this quickie stop. Thank you for taking the time to paint such an intriguing picture for us. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:52:58 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665728#5178675 http://www.chow.com/topics/665879#5173293 La Casa que Canta is a lovely place for dinner. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:04:43 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665879#5173293 http://www.chow.com/topics/656521#5171706 Here's what you're gonna do. Get in a collectivo on a Thursday. Go to Zaachila. At the right side of the market (facing there from the cathedral). Eat at one of the empanada stands (they are large corn tortillas doubled over a filling of flor de calabaza, tinga, amarillo, verde, or champinones). Gorge yourself on empanadas and memelitas. Now go to Nieves Siboney in the middle of the market. Get a cup of leche quemada con tuna. Enjoy :D And in Oaxaca City (alla en la ciudad hay mucha gente mala jaja) be sure to go to the Mercado 20 de Noviembre. There are a lot of food stalls with cheap and delicious eats. And remember, Oaxaca isn't just mole. There is so much more. You just gotta go out and explore Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:59:52 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/656521#5171706 http://www.chow.com/topics/659270#5166912 There's a Villa Rolandi on the hotel strip as well (sister to the one on Isla) it's very good as well. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:14:52 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/659270#5166912 http://www.chow.com/topics/663108#5165360 Canned pumpkin has been difficult to locate in many USA cities this fall, so you might have difficulty, also, locating an imported (from the USA) product from the USA in Mexico as well. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:14:58 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663108#5165360 http://www.chow.com/topics/665001#5162471 This is definitely one of the most unique restaurants you have found Street in central TJ. Its pretty fascinating to get a glimpse into this sub-cuisine of Mexico thats probably one of the most ignored. If you are a texturally motivated chowhounder you will take delight in the casera/stewy Aleta and moranga; they are simply tops. Street is the the honorary gastronomia alcalde de Tijuas, there's no denying it! Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:27:50 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665001#5162471 http://www.chow.com/topics/664990#5158952 Here you go Ringo Gato! pics at http://streetgourmetla.blogspot.com/2009/07/barbacoa-ermita-tijuanavictor-torres.html Those who are very familiar with the cooking traditions of Mexico know about Hidalgo. Before the arrival of the Spanish in what is now Mexico, people in this region had perfected underground pit cooking with wild game, and their cooking traditions were cherished in the Aztec Empire.Barbacoa hidalguense is an art form. Pit roasted mutton slowly cooked wrapped in pencas de maguey(maguey spines) to an tender oily sheen , hand made pancita(offal stuffed lamb stomach with a chile rub), salsa borracha(drunken salsa), consome(broth with chickpeas, and fresh corn tortillas. Every weekend, Tijuana's own Victor Torres, from Hidalgo where he learned the art of pit cookery, sells about 80-90 kilos of barbacoa served on some park benches set up in front driveway of his house, directly across the street from Tacos Salceados.On Thursday night he boils chile morita and guajillo for his chile rub, then cleans and takes apart his New Zealand lamb.Friday he gets to cooking until the dawns first light on Saturday as costumers start to trickle in at 8AM for the first seating. Like many other specialists in Mexico, the place is open 'til a set hour, but will close when the food is gone.Arrive late and you might miss his masterful pancita.As if his cooking wasn't reason enough, he is one of the most good-natured people you're ever going to come across. The whole family is so charming. I've been going to Barbacoa Ermita for over a year and recently had the chance to bring writers, chefs, and friends down for a Cotuco sponsored gastronomic tour through Tijuana.Although our group was exhausted from the day before, they soon were animated by the view of Victor's above ground pit exposing tempting scents and views of succulent barbacoa. The barbacoa and pancita are cooked suspended above a well where the roasted meat drips into savory consome. Victor cooks his lamb perfectly with hints of light pink in the center of his meat. There's only one place I know north of the border that does this right and that's Aqui es Texcoco, first reported by my friend Alex of Chowhound.No one really delivers barbacoa excellence in LA Victor has barbacoa, the best pancita around, gorgeous consome, mixiotes(chilied lamb steamed in maguey paper), and certified salsas from the core of barbacoa hidalguense. Two drunken salsas, the first a guajillo chile salsa traditionally crocked by pulque, then a chile de arbol salsa spiked with beer.A tart fresh salsa made from jalapenos makes for a powerful salsa triumvirate.His pancita is where you should first try this delicacy. He cleans it right and delivers luscious and funky flavors, the texture is so pleasurable. It has form and structure, not just a loose gathering of offal like it can be. With only his young assistant to serve us on the day of the FAM visit, Victor cranked out the bowls of consome, kilos of barbacoa and pancita, and warmed homemade corn tortillas. He even has a fresh agua de jamaica.It was a kick watching mi compadre, Eddie Lin, running around looking for spare chunks of pancita. I think he even forgot to take video here in his offal maddened state. Barbacoa Ermita is a nice sit down local family establishment. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside watching young Tijuana children enjoying barbacoa tacos and a nice consome. Wonder if I could convince my friend's children to put down the chicken nuggets for this taste of Hidalgo? The restaurant is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. The rest of the week, Victor removes the benches from the driveway and relaxes with his family.He is a genuine specialist only working his craft as his birthright dictates, with humility and purpose. You must hit this spot when in Tijuana for a weekend breakfast indulgence from the opulent culinary tradition of Hidalgo. Barbacoa Ermita Av. Ermita, 807 Mesa Otay Tijuana,BC Tel:(664)622-1969 Open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:24:22 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664990#5158952 http://www.chow.com/topics/664789#5158917 I guess we missed each other.I was at the Expo Tequila for 3 days. I've just about had every taco Salceados makes, and have been a regular at Barbacoa Ermita for more than a year.Did you have the pansita? Victor is a barbacoa master!! But, Ruben's marlin taquito, oooohh, you must try it. How nice, your chocolate must be. I will imagine along with you. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:12:59 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664789#5158917 http://www.chow.com/topics/661271#5156507 You guys are awesome!! Thanks Cristina and Bronwen... I'll make sure I read all the recommended threads before then. Thanks again! Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:29 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/661271#5156507 http://www.chow.com/topics/660372#5152126 Your definitions are accurate, but your suggestion is incorrect. Please read my first response to Hamburger Today's post and his response re typographical errors in the restaurant's menu. What he ate were *corundas* and had nothing to do with horns. Link: http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:40:43 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/660372#5152126 http://www.chow.com/topics/655573#5150761 wineman3, we agree on most points. First, that most of the high end restos cater to free-spending vacationers - Cocina 38, Negrosal, and now Wicky's. Locals and ex-pats are more budget minded, you will agree. And there is nothing wrong with nice places designed for vacationers in a resort destination. My personal links are with residents of more modest means. Each and every time I mention one of John Gray's 3 restaurants, it is with the caveat that it is expensive and it is not mexican, to an audience that is usually solvent vacationers. And I say mention simply to let it be known that the option is there. I have never recommended John Gray's. I like to patronize mexican restaurants, and I like authentic mexican food, and that is what I eat in Mexico. I respect everyone's right to eat whatever they want, but I try to be fiercely loyal to original Yucatec owners, and I cry more than most gringos for those that have been squeezed out for the sake of progress, even in Cozumel. If I can help inform people what it is, and what it isn't, and what it costs, I am being helpful to a newcomer. And I do enjoy the adventure of exploring 5 unknown restaurants, as you described, and coming up with 4 dry holes and one winner whose praise I can sing. That's what Chowhound is all about. I could show you some neat places in Bacalar, Chetumal, Corozal, and Holbox. In summary, you are a wine distributor to the higher end restos, for which there is a need, and for which you have a personal interest and bias. I have zero bias, and a great love for Mexico. You can be a little harsh where we are not in agreement, but I forgive you, hermano. Buen provecho. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:55:40 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/655573#5150761 http://www.chow.com/topics/657150#5150645 Go to Playa del Carmen and try Cocina 38 or Wicky's Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:12:19 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/657150#5150645 http://www.chow.com/topics/578501#5149909 Haha, no, but I'm there constantly, so I might as well live there.I was there this weekend. My e-mail is attached to my blog, let me know when you are going to be in Baja because I'm there every month, more or less. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:14:34 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/578501#5149909 http://www.chow.com/topics/608851#5148648 Dos Ricardos is now the Sandbar - has been for several years. Quite popular for sports TV. Art and Beer is still there - not a place any local would ever frequent - they are very nasty people. There are many new restaurants and a couple more opening soon. Los Adobes is another place we locals never ever go - strictly for day trippers. Juan and his partners sold it long ago. Lots of Italians living here now and opening restaurants. A couple of new Asian places which is a nice change. There are still enough affordable places that we permanent residents can still eat out occasionally and splurge from time to time. Michael's at the Gallery and Tre Galline are giving Ezio a run for his money. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:06:38 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/608851#5148648 http://www.chow.com/topics/663302#5143670 Yes, El Atrayan is highly recommended for her pozole. Ask for Carmen! I also suggest my local fave, near my place: From my guide Beck's Best on cafepress: Doña Celia's Cenaduría [Budget] Lázaro Cárdenas 506 OT/SS. 222-2778 www.vallartaonline.com/restaurants/donacelia 7pm-12am Closed Monday and Tuesday. Small 15 table basic family spot features pozole combo of pork, chicken and beef 40p, huge and delicious. Also offer tacos 30p, tostadas 16p, chicken enchiladas, pickled pork hocks, fried chicken 45p, meat gorditas 30p, meat sopes and flan. Crowded especially on weekend, so go early before items run out. No CC. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:24:39 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663302#5143670 http://www.chow.com/topics/663036#5141580 From Puerto Morelos to Playa del Carmen, where I live off and on, is all-inclusives for 30 miles, literally. Playa has a ton of options. Let us know if you plan a field trip there or beyond. I especially like Akumal. Highway 307 is a breeze now. Cancun is closer but was never my thing. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:05:52 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663036#5141580 http://www.chow.com/topics/333365#5139506 Give JC Bravo and EMEVE a try. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:47:09 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/333365#5139506 http://www.chow.com/topics/641022#5138557 Yes, Voila is excellent as well. I have only had lunch there but I go every time I am in San Jose. The store in front - Paulina's - is exquisite. At this time of year things are opening once again in Todos so let me know if you are coming this way and I will give you some suggestions. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:52:22 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/641022#5138557 http://www.chow.com/topics/662981#5137378 What suggestions do you have about good, quick food that would be available at 8:30 or 9:15 on a Sunday evening? In Cancun or south on highway 307 would both be good. Thanks for any tips you can offer. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:52:56 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662981#5137378 http://www.chow.com/topics/662907#5136538 Hello, my girlfriend and I will be heading to Cozumel for a day (cruise ship stop) and wanted to try some authentic Yucatan cuisine. We were looking for the best place for cochinita pibil, maybe pozole, and other local specialties...but that pig roasted in banana leaves sounds quite yummy. Can someone provide recommendations? I honestly don't know much about the area, so I would have to say only within a taxi ride's distance from the cruise ship docks. Thank you! Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:26:50 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662907#5136538 http://www.chow.com/topics/662584#5135059 I can't say for sure, but I believe that they feed the homeless and hungry for free on the holidays. I know that there used to be a homeless man who would sweep up around the place during the day and they would feed him. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:13:05 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662584#5135059 http://www.chow.com/topics/660826#5132526 Wow! Thanks for posting that. I'll be there next week, and still plan on beaching it on Stone Island. I'm familiar with east coast hurricanes, having grown up on the New Jersey shore on Long Beach Island, and witnessing, first hand, the destruction they cause. Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:53:40 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/660826#5132526 http://www.chow.com/topics/649832#5123692 We have friends retiring and building a house just north of Loreto on the beach and they say for inexpensive, good and a LOT of food hit up Super Burro. Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:51:45 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/649832#5123692 http://www.chow.com/topics/661265#5120826 I am headed down to Nuevo Vallarta in mid-November and want to learn how to cook some of that delicious Mexican food. Does anyone have any recommendations of cooking classes? (They can be in PV or even better, in the north of the bay...) There was a post about this a few years ago, but I am hoping for an update on the situation. Thanks! Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:54:49 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/661265#5120826 http://www.chow.com/topics/660828#5120579 Thanks bronwen. I checked out El Panorama's menu in the Siests, think I stick with El Arrayan. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:25:33 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/660828#5120579 http://www.chow.com/topics/650787#5120468 By all means have comida at Contramar. Go early (they open at 1:00) unless you want a long wait. I've waited to be seated for up to an hour when I've gone between 2 and 3PM. Don't miss the pescado a la talla, and order it with both red and green sauces. I hope someone will accompany you to your Contramar comida, because there are so many wonderful things on the menu that you'll want to share. If you haven't considered comida at Ricardo Muñoz Zurita's Azul y Oro (on the UNAM campus--yes, it's a hike, but so SO worth it), plan to go there one weekday. The food is some of the best in the city. Link: http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:50:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/650787#5120468