More to love about Mexico City 08 Feb 2015

We have finally hit on the perfect hotel – it works with Grant’s budgetary restrictions and my level of comfort. To top it all off, it is in the perfect Roma Norte/Condessa area. Full of fabulous restaurants and art everywhere you look. Such beautiful neighbourhoods to walk through, all from Hotel Milan on Avenida Obregan. We’ll be back here for sure.

Obregan is a pretty big street, but as you will often find in Mexico, the centre divider is like a walking park - full of statues, fountains, and ongoing art projects.

Obregan is a pretty big street, but as you will often find in Mexico, the centre divider is like a walking park – full of statues, fountains, and ongoing art projects.

In any direction, within a few blocks, you will find a park.  Again - statues, art installations and fountains.  This one provided a rainbow today.

In any direction, within a few blocks, you will find a park. Again – statues, art installations and fountains. This one provided a rainbow today.

Mexicans love their dogs, and this dog park even has snack stands to buy dog treats.  You wouldn't believe them lined up patiently to get their treat.  You also wouldn't believe the number of well behaved dogs in the park without a single problem.  Oh - and one pig, but I wasn't fast enough to get a photo of the little porker.

Mexicans love their dogs, and this dog park even has snack stands to buy dog treats. You wouldn’t believe them lined up patiently to get their treat. You also wouldn’t believe the number of well behaved dogs in the park without a single problem. Oh – and one pig, but I wasn’t fast enough to get a photo of the little porker.

in this district, you can find anything including a plethora of hair stylists.  We took a chance and armed with minimal spanish (and a photo from Shae) I decided to get rid of a bunch of hair, and a lot of grey …. turned out pretty darn fine.

in this district, you can find anything including a plethora of hair stylists. We took a chance and armed with minimal spanish (and a photo from Shae) I decided to get rid of a bunch of hair, and a lot of grey …. turned out pretty darn fine.

When in el DF we usually make good use of the subway - fast, efficient and super cheap.

When in el DF we usually make good use of the subway – fast, efficient and super cheap.

Wandering down towards the main zocalo we spotted a group of indigenous women setting up the knitting they had brought in from their village.  Sloan bought a sweater from these exact women a couple of years ago.

Wandering down towards the main zocalo we spotted a group of indigenous women setting up the knitting they had brought in from their village. Sloan bought a sweater from these exact women a couple of years ago.

Also near the zocalo a group of nuns are famous for their massive paella.

Also near the zocalo a group of nuns are famous for their massive paella.

Only in Mexico will you be treated to a fish taco joint that has such a selection of salsas and toppings for your tacos.

Only in Mexico will you be treated to a fish taco joint that has such a selection of salsas and toppings for your tacos.

And - the tacos.  Absolutely delicious.

And – the tacos. Absolutely delicious.

This Sinaloan style ceviche served on a tostado was equally fabulous.

This Sinaloan style ceviche served on a tostado was equally fabulous.

We had lamb consomme (which really just means soup here) along with our lamb tacos for breakfast.  Grant's bowl had some body part we truly couldn't identify - but the soup was outstanding!  (No, neither of us gnawed on it)

We had lamb consomme (which really just means soup here) along with our lamb tacos for breakfast. Grant’s bowl had some body part we truly couldn’t identify – but the soup was outstanding! (No, neither of us gnawed on it)

I think this is one of the best photos I have managed to get of the cathedral at the zocalo in Mexico City - no protests going on, no ice hockey set up, no crowds.

I think this is one of the best photos I have managed to get of the cathedral at the zocalo in Mexico City – no protests going on, no ice hockey set up, no crowds.

No matter what your sweet tooth is craving, you will find it on the streets of the city.

No matter what your sweet tooth is craving, you will find it on the streets of the city.

Rather have some savoury snacks?  Here you go.

Rather have some savoury snacks? Here you go.

Whatever you do, shop in the mercados - the best and most amazingly fresh fruit and vegetables are found here.  (or trucks on the side of the road)

Whatever you do, shop in the mercados – the best and most amazingly fresh fruit and vegetables are found here. (or trucks on the side of the road)

We are going to miss the plentiful and fresh avocadoes.

We are going to miss the plentiful and fresh avocadoes.

Still in the mercado?  Pick up anything from the rotisserie master - pork shanks and chicken grilled to perfection.

Still in the mercado? Pick up anything from the rotisserie master – pork shanks and chicken grilled to perfection.

On pretty much any street it is easy to find Tacos Al Pastor, grilled pork with pineapple and onions, alongside the rotisserie chicken.  Don't be afraid to try any of this - you definitely won't be sorry.

On pretty much any street it is easy to find Tacos Al Pastor, grilled pork with pineapple and onions, alongside the rotisserie chicken. Don’t be afraid to try any of this – you definitely won’t be sorry.

Con Sabor y Tixtla - just another fabulous restaurant that presents their salsas and grilled tortilla chips to start your meal.

Con Sabor y Tixtla – just another fabulous restaurant that presents their salsas and grilled tortilla chips to start your meal.

Con Sabor y Tixtla.  If a restaurant looks this inviting, you just know the Guerrero style food is going to be as much of a treat.

Con Sabor y Tixtla. If a restaurant looks this inviting, you just know the Guerrero style food is going to be as much of a treat.

The organic, upscale craze has hit the wealthier regions of Mexico City also - this incredible market has the best of everything.

The organic, upscale craze has hit the wealthier regions of Mexico City also – this incredible market has the best of everything.

Did I mention the best of everything?  These Portugese tarts are a mouth watering combination of the flakiest pastry I have ever had and the creamiest custard like filling.  Carmelize the top and it is worth dreaming about.

Did I mention the best of everything? These Portugese tarts are a mouth watering combination of the flakiest pastry I have ever had and the creamiest custard like filling. Carmelize the top and it is worth dreaming about.

Jugo Verde - can be bought almost anywhere, and slightly different everywhere.  Fruit and juice combo loaded with refreshing goodness.

Jugo Verde – can be bought almost anywhere, and slightly different everywhere. Fruit and juice combo loaded with refreshing goodness.

Okay, not in Mexico City - this was in Eronga - but how can you not be entertained knowing these guys might be behind or in front of your vehicle.  Truly, we have seen a live goat loaded into a trunk in a very busy section of Mexico City though ….

Okay, not in Mexico City – this was in Eronga – but how can you not be entertained knowing these guys might be behind or in front of your vehicle. Truly, we have seen a live goat loaded into a trunk in a very busy section of Mexico City though ….

That taxi will be arriving for us before 4:00 a.m. (yes, I do mean in the morning) and it will be Hasta La Vista Mexico … but certainly Hasta luego – we will be back. With all that Mexico has to offer we have barely scratched the surface. Having spent our few hours back in el DF eating and looking at all our favourite spots we are ready to go home. Well, I am. As much as I love the travel, I look so forward to what we have waiting at home even more.

Hope you have enjoyed our sights, and certainly the flavours of Mexico.

Mucho amore

Centro Historico 14 Nov 2014

With a day to play in Mexico City, we decided to head down to the Centro Historico area – the main zocalo. Initially we weren’t sure about that with the unrest in the area – but we kept checking the webcam and all looked peaceful so we decided to give it a go.

Love these pedestrian streets in Mexico City - leading from Zocalo all the way to Palace of Fine Arts

Love these pedestrian streets in Mexico City – leading from Zocalo all the way to Palace of Fine Arts

Luckily for us – it was peaceful! I’m afraid we don’t follow my brother Bruce’s mantra ….”Wouldn’t you rather be ON the news than watch the news?” No, Bruce.

Our tour guide Grant took us to a bead shop, and a fine gem shop.

Everywhere you look is something to see!  Grant and Wilson are enjoying a coffee break sitting on a massive wood beam.

Everywhere you look is something to see! Grant and Wilson are enjoying a coffee break sitting on a massive wood beam.

and … right above Wilson and Grant is this gorgeous light fixture!

and … right above Wilson and Grant is this gorgeous light fixture!

We wandered about the zocalo, toured the magnificent cathedral and enjoyed the beautiful buildings along the way.

Just one of the many sights to view inside the Grand Cathedral in the Zocalo - hand carved wood overlaid with gold leaf.  So impressive.

Just one of the many sights to view inside the Grand Cathedral in the Zocalo – hand carved wood overlaid with gold leaf. So impressive.

Along the way we stopped for tacos and headed to the Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes. The building itself is a phenomenal site, but once you get in the murals on the walls and the art in the galleries is incredible.

Palacio de Bellas Artes - as breathtaking inside as out.

Palacio de Bellas Artes – as breathtaking inside as out.


In one gallery alone we saw artwork from Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keefe, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Diego Rivera, and too many more to mention them all by name.

Just one of the many Diego Rivera murals inside the Palace of Fine Arts

Just one of the many Diego Rivera murals inside the Palace of Fine Arts

Having written a couple post cards for Chloe, Owen and Sloan we stopped in to the post office to buy stamps and get them posted, although we will probably get home before the post cards get there! Even the post office is the most palatial building – we can’t even imagine such a thing at home.

Even the post office is worth a tour - built in the 1500's and so elaborately finished.

Even the post office is worth a tour – built in the 1500’s and so elaborately finished.

A little siesta time at home before deciding where to go for dinner – during siesta the skies literally opened up – the rain was torrential! We tried to wait it out but when it didn’t look like that was possible we ventured out with bags over us and umbrellas held aloft. We got SOAKED. The thunder was crashing overhead – no taxis to be found, and even if we had found one the roads were totally gridlocked with every taxi in use.

Poor quality photo - but these hardy individuals are braving the torrential rain with thunder crashing overhead to find a restaurant in Mexico City!

Poor quality photo – but these hardy individuals are braving the torrential rain with thunder crashing overhead to find a restaurant in Mexico City!

My (well, our) dream has always been to return to Maximo Bistro – an amazing place we ate at a couple of years ago. The chef, Eduardo Garcia has become one of the most famous chefs in the city with his success and reservations are made months in advance, which honestly is just not our style. We weren’t too far from his place, so looking like drowned rats (literally) we took a chance that others would have been held up by the rain and we stopped in …… I was so excited that we got a table!!! Then when I took a photo of the chef he even stopped to give me the thumbs up and chat with me for a minute. Never mind that I was kind of standing in the bathroom to get the shot!

Eduardo Garcia Chef and Mastermind behind 3 successful restaurants in Mexico city Maximo Bistro de Mar a Mar Lalo

Eduardo Garcia
Chef and Mastermind behind 3 successful restaurants in Mexico city
Maximo Bistro
de Mar a Mar
Lalo

People wait months for a reservation at Maximo - we wandered in out of the rain, looking like the drowned rats we were and the empathetic Maitre D gave us a table.  We were thrilled and proceeded to enjoy a fabulous meal!

People wait months for a reservation at Maximo – we wandered in out of the rain, looking like the drowned rats we were and the empathetic Maitre D gave us a table. We were thrilled and proceeded to enjoy a fabulous meal!

Just a sampling of our feast, scallops on a langosta foam chicken on a bed of papas cream short ribs octopus ceviche

Just a sampling of our feast, scallops on a langosta foam
chicken on a bed of papas cream
short ribs
octopus ceviche


I was twitter pated with excitement. By the time dinner was over the rain had also stopped and we had a leisurely stroll home.

Today we wake up to brilliant sunny skies and perhaps a last walk around here before getting on the plane for Oaxaca.

It is only possible to attach 2 photos to each email, but JUST IN CASE anybody is interested in seeing more, I have tried to use more photos when I blog these updates:

http://www.chattykathychatsandcooks.com

After all, I have only been using my blog for the cooking part. This morning I opened up my inbox to see a flood of people now following my blog!!