It was my first time visiting South America, in Mexico city I eat lots of different local foods, checked out local markets, visited Teotihuacan pyramids, went to see lucha libres, refreshed at hot springs and spa in Ixtapan de la Sal..... enjoyed my vacation.
Culinary -wise, I have the chance to taste some ingredients first time, such as chaplines, huitlacoche, chayote, ants, pricky pear, granadilla, cactus, epazote, Mexican rosemary... very inspiring. Also tried some traditional dishes like sopa de tortila, sopa azteca, pozole, guacamole, ceviche, taco de al pastor, enchilada, quesadilla, flautas, chilaquiles, elote, tamal, salsa verde, salsa roja, pico de gallo, chorizo, chicharron.... and of course black mole!!
Unfortunately many restaurants are closed during my visit, but I have luck to be given the opportunity to stage Quintonil restaurant for 2 days. It was my 127th stage and first(!) Mexican restaurant for me. As mentioned I tasted huitlachoche, ants, cactus, epazote and others first time. For example I tasted cactus four different ways, braised, cured, grilled and sorbet... was simply amazing. Also chef Jorge Vallejo invited me to tasting menu at kitchen table... it was truly amazing dinner. Here I'd like to say big 'gracious' again to chef Vallejo and rest of the team. Thank you for having me and hope to see you again somewhere around the globe soon!!
The following is my culinary web references for Mexico city:
Mexico city restaurant references
http://eater.com/archives/2012/02/14/the-eater-mexico-city-heat-map-where-to-eat-right-now.php
http://www.starchefs.com/features/travel/mexico/html/index.shtml
http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/mexico-city-mx-mexico_65mx.html
http://www.foodandwine.com/restaurants/list/mexico-city
http://www.fodors.com/news/cantmiss-restaurants-in-mexico-city-5968.html
http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/mexicocity/restaurants
http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/mexico/mexico-city/overview.html
http://luxurytravel.about.com/od/gourmetvacations/tp/Top-10-Dining-Food-Restaurants-Mexico-City.htm
Mexico city food blog
http://mexicocooks.typepad.com/mexico_cooks/
http://goodfoodmexicocity.blogspot.com
http://www.mexicocitydf.blogspot.com
Some fine dining restaurants in Mexico city
http://www.quintonil.com
http://www.pujol.com.mx/en/
http://www.ocarestaurante.com/#menu-entrada
http://www.letseat.at/ouest
http://jaso.com.mx
http://www.rmontecristo.com
http://www.acquarello.mx
http://www.danielovadia.com.mx
http://www.biko.com.mx/restaurante
http://merotoro.com
http://www.origenesorganicos.com/restaurantes/
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/property/dining/attraction_detail.html?propertyID=1735&attractionId=1003591753
Other web references
http://www.roughguides.com/travel/north-america/mexico/mexico-city/markets-and-shopping/markets.aspx
http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/2133-exotic-summer-refreshment-a-guide-to-mexico-s-tropical-fruit
http://grantourismotravels.com/2010/09/05/a-guide-to-mexico-citys-markets/
http://grantourismotravels.com/2010/09/09/eating-out-in-mexico-city/
I'm going back to Baume kitchen, start tomorrow. According to my record since I start Baume last June, I composed 27 dishes including 4-5 'never on the menu' dishes. This year I'd like to keep pushing my limit and being creative. WISH I can inspire some people through this blog on 2013 and ALSO wish you all the readers a wonderful year 2013!!!
CJ 'culinary metal vagabond'
1/6/13