What’s a tianguis 

A tianguis (tehYAN-gyez) comes from the old Aztec word tianquiztli, which meant the marketplaces. Markets were of the utmost importance in the Aztec culture. The Aztecs built their empire on trade, and the ritual continues to this day in Mexico.

The pink tarps which cover the entire market are actually quite important as they signify that this market is a part of a government-sanctioned program. They ensure the legitimacy of the sellers, which can trade in the tinaguis’. The government-run organization is called the “System of Markets on Wheels” (Sistema de Mercados Sobre Ruedas). It’s named as such since these same vendors have to be mobile and move their shops around the city, wherever the market is open that day.

Opening Times

The Condesa Tianguis market is only once a week, on Tuesdays, which made it even more special that I had just happened upon it. The market runs along Pachuca street from Agustín Melgar Calle south to Calle Juan Escutia. They shut this entire road down from traffic for the day, and it feels like it completely transforms the feeling of the neighbourhood. It changes from just another side street to a lively traditional shopping experience. The market opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm.

The Condesa neighbourhood has always been one of the more upscale districts in Mexico City. Because of this higher class clientele, don’t expect to find the lowest prices here. But even when they are slightly more expensive, it’s still shockingly cheap! I do find the quality of food and produce here to be somewhat above par as well, so you definitely get more bang for your buck!

Some of the most unique things you’ll find here are sold by the older generations of indigenous women. These women grow their own fruits and vegetables on their farms outside the city. Unlike some of the other vendors who might be buying from more commercial business, they are grown by some rural farmers. The women’s smiling faces are enough to bring you right up to their stalls to take a closer look at their fantastic produce.

Produce on Sale

Unlike the supermarkets which seem to carry everything no matter the season, the fruits and vegetables available here change based on the season. The very best products to get each season is as follows:
Summer: Mangoes, Tomatoes and Tomatillos, Corn, avocados, Pitaya
Fall: Corn, Apples, Pumpkin Black sapote, Prickly pear, Passionfruit
Winter: Apples, Pumpkin, criollo avocado, Mamey, Black sapote, Jicama, Prickly pear
Spring: Mamey, Jicama, Passionfruit
Year-Round: Nopales, chillies,

Clothing and Household Goods

These markets sell more than just produce though. You’ll find anything from bras to makeup, kitchen products and more! You really never know what you going to find! It’s a one-stop-shop for locals, no need to go to the grocery store at all. I loved seeing all the different things on offer since it felt like a surprise every time you came upon a new section of the marketplace.

Flowers

The flower sellers were some of my favourite stalls. I timidly asked how much a large bouquet of sunset coloured roses was and was blown away when they asked for only 50 pesos ($3 US). Having an Airbnb, we had the space to decorate it with flowers, and so I bought it up!

When I visited earlier in the day, I was the only foreigner there! Everyone seemed very friendly, and my Spanish went a long way with impressing the locals. Later in the day, when we came back for dinner, we did see a few more foreigners. Still, overall, it really felt like a neighbourhood event with locals going about their daily business.

Walking down the aisles, you’ll be offered fresh-cut fruit samples from various sellers. While most of this time, this is to entice you to buy some whole fruit, I never found any of them to be very pushy in making me buy anything I didn’t want. It was great fun to get to try so many different fruits, some of which I’d never even heard of before. The Mamey fruit was my favourite. It was like a combination between a sweet potato and a peach.

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Street Food

One of my favourite things to eat in Mexico city is elote, but here there was something a little different, which was esquite. This dish is similar to elote, but the corn is sauteed with chilli peppers instead of being roasted on the grill. The corn ends up being a little spicer and more straightforward, as it is served without the cheese and mayonnaise. But just as delicious!

Another street food staple is the tlacoyo, fried blue corn cakes stuffed with beans and topped with cheese and nopales. In the early morning, you could really taste how fresh the masa was, most likely being ground that very morning.

Tamales vendors are on either corner outside the market, but the real food can be found in under the white tents. Inside are a dozen or so little food vendors selling tacos, gorditas, flautas and more! Large communal tables are lined with salsas and hot sauce. Grab your favourite dish from any of the vendors and take a seat to see if you can strike up a conversation with your neighbours. One of my favourite things is how inviting the locals are, especially when in a neighbourhood environment. They are so proud and are always so happy to see foreigners visiting.

For dessert, there is nothing better than a cup of fresh fruit. My favourite is the mango, served with chilli and lime. Sweet, salty and spicy! All my favourites flavours!

Fresh Nuts and Candy

If fruits don’t satisfy your sweet tooth, another of my must-buy items are fresh candies and nuts. These brightly coloured products draw your eye in immediately. The gummies are some of the softest and most flavorful I’ve ever tasted! I can not recommend them more. And they each cost only about 20 pesos for a huge bag.

Stumbling upon markets like this is one of the most lovely things about Mexico City. There is always something exciting going on, and even if you’re not looking for it, wonderful places like this just seem to reveal themselves to you!

What has been your favourite moment of happenstance on your last vacation?

Happy Travels Adventurers!

The post Discover the Amazing Flavours of La Condesa’s Tianguis Market in Mexico City first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. History
   • Jerónimos Monastery
2. What Makes a Good Pastel de Natas?
3. Where to Find Lisbon’s Best 'Pasteis de nata'
   • Belém – Pastéis de Belém
   • Avenida da Liberdade – Fábrica da Nata
   • Baixa – Confeitaria Nacional
   • Cais do Sodré – Zarzuela
   • Chiado – Manteigaria
   • Barrio Alto – Pastelaria Padaria Sao Roque
   • Alfama – Pastelaria Alfama Doce
   • Happy Travels, Adventurers!

History

Before diving into the tart themselves, let’s take a minute to study the history of these desserts and why they are so iconic as a representation of Portugal’s culinary history. If you want to skip to the food, feel free to scroll down, but it’s nice to know a bit about why these treats are so important to eat when visiting Lisbon. The recipe for this famous sweet dates back over 300 years to a neighbourhood just west of the centre of Lisbon, in Belem. You can still visit the bakery to this day (Pastéis de Belém) and sample the very tart, which sparked thousands of copycats.

Jerónimos Monastery

The first pastel de nata (Pastel is singular, and Pasteis is the plural) was invented by the monks of Jerónimos Monastery. The monks would use egg whites to clean their clothes, and they ended up with thousands of egg yolks being thrown away. To use up the yolks and, in turn, sell some pastries to raise money for the monastery, the monks invented the recipe, which called for egg yolks as their main ingredient. Monks and nuns making and selling pastries is a practice dating back to the 16th century. In Barcelona, you can still try the convent cookies and/or travel to sample sweets from saints in Seville (not actually, but the alliteration was too good to pass up!) The word’ pastel de nata‘ is Portuguese for “cream pastry.”

Oddly enough, there is no cream used in making the pastries since the perfect custard filling is made with milk instead of cream. Cream would make the filling much too sweet and dense, whereas the milk produces that ideal jiggly, eggy custard which makes these desserts so tempting. After the Liberal Revolution of 1820 and the dissolution of the monasteries, the pastel de nata recipe was sold off to the current owners of the Pastéis de Belém. But the recipe was so popular that other bakeries started to attempt their own version to draw in the same crowds that Pastéis de Belém was gathering. Eventually, many succeeded, some with their own alterations and additions. When visiting Lisbon, there are many choices to find your perfect pastel de nata.

What Makes a Good Pastel de Natas?

Pasteis de nata MUST have a crispy and flaky crust, but the filling should be creamy and sweet, jiggly but NOT runny. Finally, they must be finished by being cooked at a super high temperature to give the tops that slightly caramelized surface with a touch of burnt sugar without being totally overdone.

If you are interested in seeing how they’re made, our stop at Manteigaria has a window into the bakery where you can watch the chefs at work. You might not want to watch this if you’re worried about calories! When you see the tart being made, you’re unaware of how many pounds of butter, eggs, and sugar go into these treats. But you’re on vacation, and there’s no such thing as calories, right? 

The effort it takes to make this dessert is astounding for such a little thing, but it really does pack a huge flavour punch! It’s easy to see after watching the process why so many bakeries try but fail to achieve the same quality product as these stellar bakers. To eat the pastries like a local, dust them in a cinnamon or powdered sugar coating. They are best enjoyed standing at the counters with an espresso (if you want to impress the staff, ask for a ‘bica‘ since that’s what they call ‘espresso’ in Lisbon).

While you can take them to go or sit down, standing at the counter is a great chance to chat with the staff and meet other locals. Always ask for a hot one out of the oven since those are the best! If they say they’ll have a few hot ones ready in a few minutes, WAIT! Trust me, it’s worth it. While still delicious, the cold ones aren’t the same.

Where to Find Lisbon’s Best ‘Pasteis de nata’

Belém – Pastéis de Belém

The best place to start your Pastel de Nata journey is where it originated, Pastéis de Belém. Belém is a laid-back neighbourhood west of the main part of the city along the Tagus River. This storefront might look small, but if you venture inside, you’ll see that the interior stretches out for miles. Even on a busy day, if you decide to take a seat, you’ll find you can almost always get a table outside the lunch and dinner hour.

You might have to wait a bit longer to be served, but the ambiance and traditional decor of the interior are well worth enjoying for an extended period. The tarts are unique compared to any of the other ones we tasted. They are much more creamy and less sweet. The egg flavour really stands out. The crust was also slightly thicker to hold up the more substantial custard.

What makes them stand out? 

Authenticity. Some of the more upscale bakeries in the city feel like they’re exploiting the tourist trend for these desserts. Pastéis de Belém serves many tourists, but their service and flavours aren’t trying to put on airs or impress. They are just there to serve the same recipe they’ve been selling for hundreds of years.

Cost: 1,05 €/each

Avenida da Liberdade – Fábrica da Nata

Fábrica da Nata has a few different shops in Lisbon, but the one on the Avenida da Liberdade is their most opulent and indulgent. The Avenida da Liberdade and Principe Real neighbourhood is an upscale stretch of Lisbon’s city centre, famous for its expensive shopping and luxurious architecture. As soon as you step in the door, the smell of sweet cream and flaky crust fills your nose. You can watch the bakers carrying trays of hundreds of tarts, sprung straight from the oven, jetting back and forth from the kitchen to the display cases.

A little conveyor belt runs along the ceiling, holding (fake) trays of pastries, carrying them all around the shop’s roof. While it’s just a gimmick, it adds a cute, almost Willy Wonka-like effect to the cafe. Fábrica da Nata is fabulously decorated, with blue tiles and lush seating. After all, you eat with your eyes, so no one will say no to such a beautiful environment. The tarts are almost always hot since there is nearly constantly a line up out the door (it moves very quickly, though, so don’t let that scare you off). While this might be a controversial opinion, these were my #1 tarts we had the entire trip! 

What makes them stand out? 

The crust! I found that the crusts were by far the crispiest, and there was a stronger hint of salt in them which seemed to balance the sweetness of the filling perfectly! If you love a salty-sweet treat, this is the place for you.

Cost: 1,00 €/each

Baixa – Confeitaria Nacional

Baixa is the historic heart of Lisbon and where you’ll find the oldest buildings in the city here. Confeitaria Nacional is the oldest pastry shop in Lisbon; it opened in 1829 and is now considered somewhat of a national monument. The dim, yellow glow from the old lamps reflecting off the mirrored ceiling is the first thing you’ll see upon entering. In glass cases around the room are displays of the various colourful cakes and desserts for which the bakery is so famous.

What makes them stand out? 

The flavours. The second owner of the shop, Baltazar Castanheiro Jr., spent much of their life travelling and bringing back recipes from other countries to incorporate into his pastries. He even dared to do so with the famed Portuguese sweet tart. Here you can find more than just plain custard; you can sample coffee, chocolate and pistachio Pasteis de nata! While this might not be the most authentic, it’s refreshing to see that he wanted to try something new. Can you imagine if all we had back home was plain doughnuts? Pretty hard to envision. The same kind of thing applies here, and it’s definitely worth trying to a twist on the original.

Cost: 1,20 €/each

Cais do Sodré – Zarzuela

Cais do Sodre, located south of the city centre, along the river, is one of the city’s most trendy and fashionable neighbourhoods. It has only recently undergone a hipster rejuvenation, but dozens of mom-and-pop cafes and restaurants are booming in this neighbourhood revival! This laid-back bakery doesn’t have many frills, but what it lacks in decor, it makes up for in dedication! Zarzuela serves up traditional Portuguese gluten-free, lactose-free and even vegan baked goods. Making gluten-free baked goods taste like the authentic, wheat-filled version takes real skill, and I made sure to try out plenty of their desserts and was amazed at how good they all were. Make sure to eat them warm as gluten-free items don’t stand the test of time like other pastries can, and fresh out of the oven, they are the most delicious!

What makes them stand out? 

Giving EVERYONE a chance to taste Portugal’s culinary history! While the taste might not be the same as the real thing, it’s a fantastic option for travellers with dietary restrictions who often never get the chance to sample this kind of baked goods. The gluten-free tart has a much thicker crust, but the filling is the same as any other bakery. I didn’t love the flavours of the vegan tart, but I know other vegans who are used to the taste of soy and egg substitutes who really enjoyed it and appreciated the chance to try it out. If you have anyone in your party with dietary needs, you CANNOT miss out on visiting Zarzuela. (P.s. be sure to try the doughnuts, they are insanely good!)

Cost: 2,20 €/each

Chiado – Manteigaria

The Chiado neighbourhood in Lisbon is one of the best places to visit come the setting of the sun. The district comes alive at night and bursts with people drinking on the cobblestones (since the bars themselves are much too small to fit all those patrons). But during the daytime, the lineups on the street are for one thing only; Pasteis de nata! Manteigaria, now one of Lisbon’s most visited pastel de nata bakeries, was once just a simple butter shop. You’ll see tiled signs all over the city for ‘Manteigarias‘ (butter shops) and ‘Leitarias‘ (milk shops) with images of beautiful milkmaid.

With the invention of the supermarket, these specialized stores died out, although their attractive signage was left as a memento of bygone times. Manteigaria opened in 2015 and quickly became the #1 stop to eat Pasteis de nata! Critiques have even named this location over the original Belem bakery, the best place to eat natas in Lisbon. While I still prefer Fabrica de Nata, this is a CLOSE second.

What makes them stand out? 

What makes them stand out? The filling. The complex taste of the custard here is what you notice most; it feels more complicated and nuanced than the original. The crust is much thinner and, therefore, very crispy and light, allowing that creamy, layered essence of eggs and milk to come through nice and bright! It’s so easy to eat more than just one…or two…or three…

Cost: 1,00 €/each

Barrio Alto – Pastelaria Padaria Sao Roque

Up the cobblestone steps from Chiado, you’ll find the bohemian neighbourhood of Bairro Alto. This district has some of the most quirky restaurants and traditional Fado bars playing music well into the early morning. Pastelaria Padaria Sao Roque is otherworldly and fits right in this over-the-top block. You’ll be in awe when you walk in the door by the ornate, embellished ceiling, bronze marble columns, and art deco azulejos adorning the walls and countertop.

What makes them stand out? 

Sweetness. If you have a sweet tooth, this is the place for you! This shop’s Pasteis de nata are extremely sweet, and their crust extremely flaky! You can see almost every layer of the pastry peeling back like the petals of a flower on the plate. The crust is crunchy and eaten with an espresso; it feels like the perfect balancing act to a splendid morning meal.

Cost: 1,00 €/each

Alfama – Pastelaria Alfama Doce

Alfama is Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood; perhaps because of this, it’s also home to the city’s best residents. They have been living in this maze-like, steep hillside part of Lisbon for hundreds of years, and Alfama feels like a city. At Pastelaria Alfama Doce, you’ll find a glass cabinet filled with simple, traditional treats. In addition to fresh pastries, this place serves up the best freshly squeezed orange juice to enjoy along with your morning pastry.

What makes them stand out? 

The hospitality. The friendly smiles and attention you’ll get in this area are unrivalled and exceptional. They feel like family welcoming you into their kitchen for your morning breakfast. Be sure to spend some time here chatting with the owners and locals since everyone has a story to tell and a recommendation you will be remiss not to take when visiting! Plus, they cost a bit less than any other locations, so you can chow down on more than just one!

Cost: 0,85 €/each

We tried so many other tarts from bakeries, not on this list, some of which we found really lacking. They were either too cold, hard, sweet or even bland. If you’re out to find your secret spot, venture outside this list and try to find your personal fave. But if you’re only visiting Lisbon for a short time and need to hit up the best places ASAP, then this list will serve you well. No matter where you end up in the city, an amazing pastel de nata cafe is nearby! Let me know which one of these bakeries was your favourite if you’ve already visited Lisbon or which one you think you’d be leaning toward if you’re planning on visiting soon!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post An Insider Guide to Finding the Best Pasteis de Nata (Portuguese Egg Tarts) in Lisbon first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Guide to Pujol

1. About the Restaurant
2. Reservations
3. Dress Code?
4. The Cost
5. Taco Omakase Experience
   • Beverage Pairings
   • Food Allergies
   • A Journey Through Mexican Cuisine
6. My Experience
   • Starting with Street Snacks
   • Cervezas & Cocktails
   • Seafood Tacos
   • Mushrooms and Tamarind
   • Tetelas
   • Gorditas
   • Chileatole
   • Desserts
7. Is It Worth the Money?

About the Restaurant

Pujol is located in the upscale neighbourhood of Polanco. Polanco isn’t my favourite district in Mexico City. It feels too North American for my tastes and a little too prim and proper. Pujol itself is hidden away on a quiet, greenery-laced side street. Walking in, you feel like you’re entering a peaceful, modern family home. The restaurant recently moved into this new location, and the owner designed the entire space to reflect the atmosphere of the food. The blend of the natural outdoor environment and the modern urban design of the interior is incredible. Chef Enrique Olvera first opened Pujol in Mexico City in 2000. It has been one of the biggest foodie draws for travellers and locals alike. Olvera draws his inspiration for his food from traditional Mexican ingredients and old culinary techniques.

Reservations

There are two types of reservations you can get at Pujol. One is for the traditional, 5-course tasting menu. There are five different timed reservations available throughout the afternoon and evening. But the traditional menu has many more seats available per seating. On the other hand, the Omakase menu takes place at the taco bar, which only seats about 15 people. There are four different seating times; 1:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm. But be warned that the taco Omakase experience lasts around 4 HOURS! So if you book the 9:30 pm time, be prepared to stay up late!

Dress Code?

The taco bar definitely felt a little more casual than the table service diners. But nonetheless, everyone was very well dressed. There was no strict dress code, but we felt totally comfortable in what we had on. But if I had had the chance to dress up a bit more, I think I would have used the opportunity since it’s a nice way to celebrate a special occasion.

The Cost

I wanted to discuss the cost here since we had a bit of a surprise when we went. Since there are no prices on the official website, I had read online that the Omakase menu was $90 USD without alcohol and $170 including alcohol pairings. I’m not sure if this was an option at one point, but when we arrived, the cost was a set price of $170 USD with OR without alcohol. We had planned to just get the meal without alcohol, so adding another $80 extra per person was an unexpected shock. We thought, “well, we’re here, and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience at one of the best restaurants in the world, so let’s try and forget about the money and enjoy the experience!”

For many people who budget TO THE DOLLAR, this would be a huge problem, so I wanted to be sure to mention that in this review. I don’t drink, so immediately, my heart sank as I felt like I would be getting less for the price I paid vs. the people who get to drink expensive liqueurs. But in this case, let me tell you, I have never in my life had a more immersive, delicious and complimentary experience with my beverages at a meal. I felt like every drink they made for me was so carefully designed and created. And while I do think that my bank account would have preferred the option to not have the drink pairings, the experience was one of a kind. The drink pairings did suit each dish perfectly, and I think they made them taste even better.

Taco Omakase Experience

The Taco Omakase menu was inspired by the chef’s love of Japanese sushi tasting menus. This tasting menu is served at the bar. You get to watch the bar staff make drinks and entertain the customers. It felt like a very informal and yet familial experience. Some people might not have liked this, but we found it to be an entertaining aspect of the entire night.

Beverage Pairings

The Omakase is a 10-course meal complete with snacks, tacos, desserts and your choice of beverages paired with the dishes. At the beginning of the service, your server will ask what kind of beverage you want to have throughout your meal. They prefer you select one type of alcohol to create a tasting menu of beverages around. While I’m sure you could have switched between options, they definitely recommended you choose just one for the optimal experience. You had a choice between mixed cocktails, craft beer, wine, mezcal or non-alcoholic beverages.

Food Allergies

After you select your beverage, you’ll be asked if you have any food allergies or if there’s anything you don’t eat or drink. They definitely take into account preferences as well as clinical allergies! I have an allergy to fish, but shellfish is perfectly fine, and they easily accounted for this throughout the service. The people beside me didn’t like fish, so their meals were unique to ours almost throughout the entire meal. It was interesting to see the variety of dishes they created for them.

A Journey Through Mexican Cuisine

Your server will introduce each dish to you. Our server spoke English very well, and listening to her explain each creation was like being told a short story. Each of the tacos showcased a different kind of tortilla. Local ingredients were highlighted inside the variety of sauces served alongside the tortillas. It’s interesting to see how different our menu was from someone who ate there a few months before. They definitely change things up for the season.

The one big letdown when we looked at the menu was that we would not get a taco with the famous 1300 day aged mole. We had seen this on previous taco omakase menus but knew it wasn’t sure. We were let down, but I’m not the biggest mole fan anyway, so it wasn’t a deal-breaker. But if it is for you, be sure to call ahead and ask if it will be on the menu.

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My Experience

As a preface to this write-up, I wanted to clarify that I’m definitely no food critique. But I wanted to at least document what we ate at this historic meal service. We started our experience off with a cup of what I honestly think was the best thing I’ve ever drank. It was a simple cup of tea, steeped with the hair of the corn husks and elderflowers. The tea was sweet without being sugary. It made the flavour of corn come through in the most innovative way. The entirety of the rest of the meal is built around corn so leading us into the meal this way felt very apt.

Starting with Street Snacks

Next up was a trio of street snacks. From the left to the right we ate, elote (corn) with a coffee mayo and fried chicatana ants. Before you wince at the word ‘ants’ don’t be scared. They actually added an astounding flavour and texture to the dish and were fantastic! Next up was a blue corn puff with artichoke puree and caviar on top. This sometimes comes with edible larvae instead of the caviar which I would have loved to try. The corn puff was my favourite of the three for sure! The last item was a corn tofu tamale with chives, which was fresh and a perfect finale to the snacks.

Cervezas & Cocktails

My first selected cocktail was a mango and strawberry agua fresca. My husband went with the beer pairing. He loved getting to try all different kinds of local craft beers, some of which are pretty rare too.

Seafood Tacos

The next dish was a raw scallop tostada with sesame oil, habanero ash, chile and lemon mayo. The scallop was so thinly sliced it looked like pieces of paper. Scallops are one of my favourite things to eat and this was perhaps one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten. Following this up was the long-awaited soft shell crab with plantain puree, tomato marmalade and shishito pepper. I usually don’t like tomatoes but in this sweet marmalade, it was wonderful and a great compliment to the salty shellfish.

Mushrooms and Tamarind

The creamy foods to come next were paid with a salty tamarind margarita with worm salt rim. Worm salt sounds pretty gross, right? Well, not only is it not gross, it’s absolutely fabulous. Tamarind is very popular in Mexico and is used to flavour many foods and candies. I felt like it was so well paired with the other ingredients in this cocktail. Next, it was time for the amberjack taco with seaweed and avocado. Since I can’t eat fish my selection was a portobello mushroom taco with edible herbs on top. I am obsessed with mushrooms so they really couldn’t have picked a better option for me. The fresh crunch of the herbs with the creamy mushrooms was marvellous.

I LOVE horchatas and had been avoiding them all trip since none of them seemed safely made with filtered water. But at Pujol I knew I would be fine. The one they served me was creamy, thick and filled with spices so rich you could smell them before your lips touched the glass.

Tetelas

Up next was the tetela with octopus and peanuts. A tetela is a traditional Mexico dish. It is made of a pocket of corn stuffed with various ingredients most popular in Oaxaca. Inside ours was the aforementioned octopus with black beans on a sweet bed of peanut sauce. I’m not the biggest fan of octopus but cooked in this way I loved it. I was then treated to a beautiful looking violet lemonade with flowers inside. Gorgeous and tasty!

Gorditas

Next up was the spiny lobster taco with hoja santa (Mexican pepper leaf) tortilla. The hoja santa is grown right in the backyard of the restaurant and makes for one of the most stunning images I’ve ever eaten. The lobster was so fresh and sweet and I wish I could have eaten six more! Changing it up a bit, we dug into a pork belly gordita with sea urchin on top. This was a close second of the fave dishes of the night. You could see everyone’s eye-rolling into the back of their heads from the complexity of flavours overwhelming their mouth.

Chileatole

My last drink before we changed settings was a ginger lemon margarita. It was spicy and sour and a nice change from the sweetness of the other drinks. The last dish of the main course was a crab chileatole. Chileatole is a thick soup made of corn masa or corn kernels. This once was also made with succulent chunks of crab. As strange as it may sound to end the meal with a soup, we found it to be lovely. It was a light finish especially after being filled almost to the brim!

Desserts

After the main course, our server which had been with us all evening bid us adieu and led us outside! Before we got up, they passed us our napkin and said that this was a gift for us to keep. A cute little keepsake of the evening. This was a total surprise and a nice one at that! The napkins design also change up constantly so you’re promised a unique souvenir. The next server walked us through a secret door at the back and gave us a tour of the garden outside where they grow various ingredient used in the restaurant. Finally, we were seated at a table near an outdoor fire-pit. This was pretty important as it was a chilly outside and they even brought me a warm blanket to help keep me warm as well.

We were brought a hot cup of cafe de olla, which is coffee made with vanilla, cinnamon, molasses and cocoa. It was so smooth, subtle and sweet. The perfect nightcap.

Our first dessert was another trio, to mirror the trio of snacks we began the night with. They served us a plate of fresh fruit (for us it was sweet cherries) served alongside a soursop with sake. Soursop is a tropical fruit which I’d never eaten before so it was really neat being able to try out something so different. Lastly, we had gaznate. Gaznate is sweet treat made of a thin layer of dough in the shape of a small tube filled with dulce de leche!

Surprise Churro

The evening wore on and after we finished the trio of desserts I thought the night was over but was surprised when they brought us out one of their famous churros. Served hot right out of the fryer, it was perfectly cooked and even the most full among us couldn’t’ say no. We soaked in the last of the warm fire-pit underneath the lush greenery and finally called it a night. We said goodbye to all our wonderful servers as we walked back out onto the streets of Polanco. Bellies full and bucket list checked!

Is It Worth the Money?

The question of is it worth the big price tag is a tricky question to answer. If you love a foodie “experience” this is unmissable. The way every dish is plated, how the ingredients each compliment each other so well and seem to have this ballet like progression throughout the night was unlike any other meal I’d had. I tasted things I never could have imagined before and truly felt over the 4 hours we were there that we were a part of something very special. I do think the shock of the price (since we had originally thought we could order the meal without the drink pairings) was something which if I had been more prepared would have perhaps made me a little more at ease with the final cost.

It’s definitely not inexpensive but after chatting with a ton of people who have eaten at other top ten restaurants elsewhere in the world, this ranks reasonably low in comparison. Were they the best tacos I ate in Mexico City? Honestly, no. But I think that’s more because they felt like they were more than just tacos. They were something altogether more elevated but inspired by those cheap street tacos which you can chow down on for little more than the cost of the Uber to Pujol. Am I glad we went? Absolutely. It was a once in a lifetime kind of meal for us and something I’d never have understood until I experienced it for myself.

Let me know if you’ve ever had a similar experience or eaten at Pujol yourself and let me know what your review of it was!

The post Is Pujol the Best Restaurant in Mexico City? An Honest Review of Pujol’s Omakase first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.