Mexico - Suggestion for a good **Mexican** (not Tex Mex) restaurant in MEX

Can anyone suggest a good, traditional Mexican Restaurant in Mexico City? A friend and I will be staying at the W Mexico City this weekend, so anything within a reasonable distance of there by cab would be wonderful. By Mexican, I guess I mean anything not Tex-Mex (restaurants specializing in pre-colombian inspired dishes, Oaxacan, anything but Tex Mex).

Los Girasoles is a good bet:

http://www.restaurantelosgirasoles.com/welcome.html

I've only been to their site in Centro but they now have one in Polanco which is the same neighborhood as W. Centro is not far by cab. If your friend has never been to Mexico City, he/she should go the one in Centro. Great ambiance, colonial architecture, close to Alameda and Bellas Artes...

Thanks for the tip, EastbayMike. Looks like we'll check out one of their locations on Saturday. ^

Let me know what you think.

You also might surf over to frommers.com and look up their recommendations. I've found their website to be pretty reliable for restaurant recommendations.

Mexico City if a great place to explore. Don't let all the warnings you hear discourage you from getting out of your hotel. I've been going about twice a year for the last 6 years. Never have I had a problem walking around, hailing taxis (even late at night), riding the metro....

Uhm, there are few, if any, "Tex-Mex" places in Mexico City. Anything resembling it is nothing more than northern Mexican fare. And it WON'T be what you see in the US.

An excellent Mexican restaurant is El Cardenal (http://www.restauranteelcardenal.com/), which has three locations, one of which is reasonably close to the W (the one on Av. de las Palmas in Lomas, very close to the Lomas/Polanco border). It's always packed, so try to go when Mexicans don't, ie, early - lunch before 2PM, dinner before 7PM.

The other two locations are downtown, one in the Sheraton Centro Historico, and the original one a block from the main square.

If you haven't decided yet - I give another vote for El Cardenal. Very, very good. We were at the branches both in the historic district and at the Sheraton. The former is very old world, beautiful. Crowded. The one in the Sheraton is newer, more modern, also pretty. Both have terrific food. Don't be put off by the fact one is in the Sheraton Historico, it gets mostly locals.

And, for a great bkfst or brunch, try Cafe Tacuba. It gets a lot of tourists but even more locals. It is in a very old converted building. Very atmospheric and some of the best cafe con leche anywhere.

Since you're staying at the W on Campos Eliseos make sure you head across the street to the Cafe Karisma for cocktails (the Pepito steak sandwiches are a fantastic late night snack). Right across the street from the IC Presidente, I've has some of my best times in MEX there. The place gets jam packed after 6 -7 pm so if you want a table outside get there early.

The best part of all? They "free-pour". ^

Thanks for all the tips. Am looking forward to this weekend's vacation. ^

Hey Anglo Large Clawed Otter,

Just read the thread and based on the posting dates seems like you just returned from MEX? If so, how did it go? Any recommended restaurants? Other places that you liked?

I'm heading down this Friday for Memorial Day Weekend and looking forward to a nice traditional Mexican meal. We are staying at the Sheraton Centro Historico, so it seems like El Cardenal is very convenient for us.

Hope you had fun.

Hey Anglo Large Clawed Otter,

Just read the thread and based on the posting dates seems like you just returned from MEX? If so, how did it go? Any recommended restaurants? Other places that you liked?

I'm heading down this Friday for Memorial Day Weekend and looking forward to a nice traditional Mexican meal. We are staying at the Sheraton Centro Historico, so it seems like El Cardenal is very convenient for us.

Hope you had fun.

Me too! I'm heading to MEX on Friday as well! ^

If you are will be at the Sheraton Historico then dining at El Cardenal there is a must. Good service, pretty room. DF residents dine late. People are lunching from 1 until well past 4 p.m. I'm not sure but it may already be the season for chiles nogadas (though May be a bit early). They are a specialty and you can certainly try those. The mole sauce at El Cardenal was terrific.

Take a walk around the Zocalo. Very impressive and lots going on. There are some very good new restaurants in both Condesa and Polanco. Searches will bring up lots of names.

Also, make sure you get to Teotihuacan. They are fascinating ruins and well worth the morning/afternoon to see them.
Have fun.

Hey Anglo Large Clawed Otter,

Just read the thread and based on the posting dates seems like you just returned from MEX? If so, how did it go? Any recommended restaurants? Other places that you liked?

I'm heading down this Friday for Memorial Day Weekend and looking forward to a nice traditional Mexican meal. We are staying at the Sheraton Centro Historico, so it seems like El Cardenal is very convenient for us.

Hope you had fun.

We ate at Los Girasoles' Centro Location (as recommended by EastbayMike), and it was absolutely phenomenal. Three of us had two beers apiece, three split appetizers, two soups, and a massive entree apiece for about $90. ^^

One of us opted for snapper, another for the filet, and I opted for "Tacos des Sesion Permanente" covered in salsa verde and tamarind sauce. The Xochitl Broth and Cliantro 1517 Soup are both excellent. I can also recommend the Panuchos and Blue Corn Quesadillas. Everything we ordered was fantastic.

El Cardenal (http://www.restauranteelcardenal.com/) also have a spectacular Mexican brunch on Sundays. The chocolate - they even bring it to you and use a molinillo to beat it up to a proper lather by hand as they serve it. Very popular as well, so one should be early.

(After all, this was a civilization that used cacao beans as specie in the markets before the Spanish came and messed things up by introducing the idea gold and silver had pecuniary value. ¡Que poca...! ;))

flyr16, those are "chiles en nogada"...

Uhm, there are few, if any, "Tex-Mex" places in Mexico City. Anything resembling it is nothing more than northern Mexican fare. And it WON'T be what you see in the US.

An excellent Mexican restaurant is El Cardenal (http://www.restauranteelcardenal.com/), which has three locations, one of which is reasonably close to the W (the one on Av. de las Palmas in Lomas, very close to the Lomas/Polanco border). It's always packed, so try to go when Mexicans don't, ie, early - lunch before 2PM, dinner before 7PM.

The other two locations are downtown, one in the Sheraton Centro Historico, and the original one a block from the main square.

If you haven't decided yet - I give another vote for El Cardenal. Very, very good. We were at the branches both in the historic district and at the Sheraton. The former is very old world, beautiful. Crowded. The one in the Sheraton is newer, more modern, also pretty. Both have terrific food. Don't be put off by the fact one is in the Sheraton Historico, it gets mostly locals.

And, for a great bkfst or brunch, try Cafe Tacuba. It gets a lot of tourists but even more locals. It is in a very old converted building. Very atmospheric and some of the best cafe con leche anywhere.

Thank you for both of these recommendations!!! Cafe Tacuba for traditional Mexican breakfast and El Cardenal (Centro Historico location) for a late lunch (3pm). Both establishments were simply perfect in every way. ^