This week Mario and I celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary. I know, 3 years is nothing, but it hasn’t been easy! We’ve had 2 international moves, 1 major illness and at least 3 months where we didn’t speak because we wound up getting in a fight, every time. But we’ve gotten through all of it, and we’re as happy together today as we were the day we were married. We’ve always said that we want to travel to celebrate our anniversary, but after trips to Peru in August, Cancun in September and Washington DC at the beginning of October, plus lots of upcoming holiday travel, more travel was not an option this year! We settled for a romantic dinner out and some quality time together.
If you’re looking for a place to celebrate someone, or something, special in Mexico City, here are a few of our favorite spots.
Carlota
Located in the historic San Angel neighborhood, Carlota serves delicious Mexican dishes, with a modern spin. The restaurant is located in a renovated house. Dining areas include a brightly lit main hall, as well as two smaller dining rooms and a terrace with a view of a small garden. The walls are all exposed brick and stone, accented with modern lighting and simple wooden furniture. If you’re looking for a romantic spot, choose one of the smaller dining areas or the terrace. Just keep in mind that smoking is permitted on the terrace.
This was our choice for this week’s dinner. We ordered a beet salad with arugula and goat cheese and tacos de lechón (baby pig) to start. I liked the salad, and Mario loved the tacos. They were his favorite of the evening! Mario had a cream of corn soup that was gone so fast I thought there might have been a hole in the plate. It turns out there wasn’t, it was just so good he ate it really fast! We shared a main; the special of the day was rib eye with greens and while it wasn’t the best dish of the night, it was still very good.
They have an excellent cocktail menu, with plenty of variety, as well as a decent wine selection.
Sud 777
Sud 777 is a spot I had been wanting to try for a while, when we celebrated Mario’s birthday there. I learned of it from a guide book that categorizes it as a restaurant with good food and beautiful design. The design of the restaurant definitely does not disappoint! Just about everyone at our table made a comment about how they’d like to incorporate some of the design elements into their dream homes. The restaurant itself has exposed beams and a cozy cottage feel, with dark walls and modern accents.
The food also lived up to our expectations. Since we were a large table we were able to try a wide variety of dishes, but these were the highlights: mollejas de pollo (chicken gizzards), while not apparently appetizing, were actually delicious; I ordered a salad with sardines, grapefruit, and greens, and the strong flavors mixed well; the favorite main was seared tuna. While they also have a turkey and mole dish that got good reviews from the family, I’m going to be honest here: if you want a good mole, just go to Oaxaca. I’ve discussed some options here and here.
The drink menu is extensive, and in addition to providing a list of main ingredients, also includes a little history on the drink. Of course, I ordered an Americano, but had to specify that I wanted the cocktail. The waiter was about to bring me a coffee! Their wine list is also good, and the staff helpful in choosing, but be warned: they don’t have many options below 1,000 pesos a bottle.
Gloutonnerie
Gloutonnerie is a french spot on Campos Eliseos in Polanco. They serve a good selection of traditional french fare. The decor of the restaurant is perfect for an intimate meal; dimly lit with a cozy atmosphere and excellent service. The restaurant’s website describes it as “like the house of a collector who treasures old books”, and that is accurate.
I confess to not trying any cocktails here; we went straight for the wine. The restaurant has a huge selection, with a wide variety of price points. Unfortunately they were in the process of restocking when we visited, so didn’t have everything on the menu available. However, the sommelier was very helpful, and recommended a lovely rosé that wasn’t on the menu.
Casa Virginia
Casa Virginia is a restaurant by Monica Patiño, the well known chef behind Delirio. Casa Virginia is located in an apartment above the Delirio on Alvaro Obregon, also from Monica Patiño. When they first opened I read in an article that the spot got its name because of the woman who lived there before the restaurant – her name was Virginia. The charm of the original construction shines through in the restaurant’s decor.
The atmosphere is intended to be that of a “family meal in the Roma neighborhood”, a place that reflects a particularly strong European influence in Mexico City. We had a little table in the corner, which was perfect for a quiet meal and a good talk. The menu rotates regularly based on what’s fresh and in season. They serve primarily Mexican cuisine, with a French twist. We ordered a large piece of beef to share, and it was one of the best meat dishes we’ve had. There were a couple of leftover pieces that we took home for the dog, whose eyes just about popped out of his head. We knew how he felt. It was so good, that I completely forgot to take pictures!
Locations: Carlota: Plaza del Carmen 4, San Ángel / Sud 777: Boulevard de la Luz 777, Jardines del Pedregal / Gloutonnerie: Campos Eliseos 142, Col. Polanco / Casa Virginia: Avenida Monterrey 116, Planta Alta Colonia Roma