MEXICO CITY “COSMOPOLITAN AND CULTURED”

By Clay Larroy

People in general consider traveling as their personal interests.  Traveling can quickly become an interest simply because it is such an enjoyable experience. When you travel around the world and you will see a variety of different cultures and people.   There are two things to remember while traveling. The first thing is to be open-minded about people and their culture. The second thing and the most important, is to respect other cultures no matter how different. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

 

Shopping in Mexico City, Mexico

There's never a dull moment when shopping in Mexico City. You can find everything from authentic local crafts to the major brands and stores one might expect in any big capital. The best Mexican souvenirs tend to be Talavera tiles and ceramics, embroidered garments, sterling silver jewelry and accessories, and hand-woven rugs and blankets.

One of the most popular shopping areas in Mexico City is the Centro Historico, home to most of the city's original stores, while La Zona Rosa is also well established and the popular shopping centre Reforma 222 can be found there. Avenida Insurgentes and Avenida Jaurez also offer a wealth of shopping opportunities. Most recently, the La Condesa and Polanco areas have developed as strong retail centers. Centro Santa Fe, in the western part of the city, is the largest shopping center in Latin America, and the upscale Perisur shopping mall to the south is also a good stop.

 

Nobody goes to Mexico for the malls, though: the city's markets are where you'll get into the groove of the place. There's the San Juan Market of Mexican Curiosities and the Mercado la Ciudadela in Centro Historico, as well asthe Bazar Sabado (Saturday Bazaar) in San Angel. Fonart outlets throughout the city also sell local crafts such ashand-painted crockery and blown glass. Most shops in Mexico City are open from 9am to 8pm, with smaller shops taking a break between 2pm and 4pm. The 15 percent VAT charged on goods can be reclaimed at the airport on purchases exceeding MXN 1200. Travelers must present a completed reimbursement request form, banking information, passport, immigration form

(visa, tourist card), plane ticket, purchase receipts and goods purchased.

Dining in Mexico City, Mexico

Mexican fare is by far one of the world's most popular and colorful cuisines, and is one of the most distinctive styles of food. With plenty of spice and flavor it packs a real punch! What westerners know as 'Mexican food'

includes dishes such as Nachos, Burritos, Enchiladasand fajitas, tortillasand tacos, but there is plenty more on offer when dining out in Mexico City.

Food varies greatly by region in Mexico and this is largely due to the difference in Spanish influence on the indigenous inhabitants. The north of Mexico is known for its beef, goat and ostrich dishes, the Yucatan for its

penchant for natural sweetness, the Oaxacan for its savoury tamales, and the west for its dishes like goat birria (goat in a spicy tomato-based sauce). Mexico City is a wonderful melting pot for these culinary traditions and the
best place to sample the variety of Mexican food.

For an authentic Mexican dining experience, look no further than one of the old converted Haciendas, such as Hacienda de los Morales or Antigua Hacienda de Tlalpan on the outskirts of Mexico City, which are actual ranches that have been converted into restaurants. With charming décor, historic architecture and mouth-watering cuisine, these kinds of restaurants attract travelers from far and wide. Street food is perhaps the most ubiquitous type of food in Mexico City where fast food outlets and puestas(street side food vendors) pepper the streets selling all the usual favorites for very reasonable prices. However, the Central Market, La Merced and the Mercado San Juan Arcos de Belem ,are the best places to go to indulge on really good, really cheap Mexican fare.

In the capital city there are, of course, hundreds of restaurants to choose from, with everything from Indian and French to Japanese and Irish cuisine. Foodies should head for the districts of Polanco, Condesa, Centro, Zona

Rosa and Sante Fe to gorge themselves at some of the country's finest restaurants on regional cuisines or just a good old taco.

Tipping in restaurants is the norm, with 10 percent of the bill being a good rule of thumb. Lunches are generally long and lazy and much cheaper than dinners.

Travelers should note that most restaurants offer a comida corrida
(set menu) and this is a great way of getting a good hearty meal at a reasonable price.

 

Angelopolitano —

Mexican

Angelopolitano is a very popular restaurant which serves classic Mexican dishes with a modern gourmet twist. The setting is trendy and intimate and the portions are generous and extremely tasty. Downstairs there is a restaurant store selling traditional Mexican preserves and sauces of high quality. They serve lunch and dinner daily. The restaurants open between 10am and 10pm, and stays open a little later on weekends.

Puebla 371, Colonia Roma, Mexico City

Mexico City, Mexico

Café de Tacuba —

Mexican

Café Tacuba has a very colonial atmosphere, dating back to 1912. Its décor features brass lamps, oil paintings and a mural of nuns working in a kitchen. The authentic Mexican menu offers traditional dishes including tamales,

enchiladas, chiles rellenos and pozole, and their pastries and hot chocolate are legendary. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner; reservations recommended.

28 Tacuba, Centro Histórico

Mexico City, Mexico
www.cafedetacuba.com.mx/en/

La Opera —

International

La Opera is a luxurious dining venue with dark wood booths and linen-covered tables. The décor features gilded baroque ceilings and beautiful oil paintings, and an added feature is the bullet hole which revolutionary general, Pancho Villa, supposedly put in the ceiling when he galloped into the restaurant on horseback. The menu offers an array of sumptuous cuisine including Spanish tapas and red snapper with olives and tomatoes. It's open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, and Sunday for lunch. Reservations are recommended.

10 Cinco de Mayo, Centro Histórico

Mexico City, Mexico
www.barlaopera.com

Restaurant Danubio —

Spanish

Open since 1936, many celebrity diners have frequented the classic-European dining room of Restaurant Danubio, in the Centro Histórico. The restaurant's menu offers superb Spanish cuisine prepared on an ancient coal and firewood stove. The seafood at Restaurant Danubio is excellent - be sure to try the langostinos(baby crayfish). It's open daily for lunch and dinner, and reservations are recommended.

3 Republica de Uruguay, Centro Historico

Mexico City, Mexico
www.danubio.com

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

 

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