Vol. 7, No. 2 | I Want To Go To Mexico Some More More More

Hey Ya’ll,

Despite what my newsletter last week might have you believe, I really loved Mexico City. If I had to pick a place to live for a year (I can’t commit to more than that anywhere), it would be between Nairobi and CDMX. And chances are, CDMX would probably win because Nairobi is just soooo far.

Mexico City is vibrant, creative, warm and full of great food and beverage options. I spent six days and I didn’t even begin to scratch the surface.

Here were my favorite things from this trip:

• Masala y Maiz. This was the only place that I made a reservation for before the trip. (Pujol was already booked). I read about it somewhere and was really intrigued by the food concept. It turned out to be a very smart choice. I practically cried at the table after this meal. I’m not sure I’ll have a better meal this year and we’re only in January. The restaurant is owned by husband and wife chefs. She is from Mexico and he is Indian, from Kenya (which I only fully understand after visiting Kenya). What I felt deep within my soul with each bite is how they explain it: “The restaurant is based on years of research by the chefs to understand the intersections of their respective cultures and the many similarities between their foodways. They cook in those shared flavors and histories.” The last time I felt close to tears after eating a dish was when I had Scotley’s oxtail ramen and it was for exactly the same reason.

• I spent NYE at two cocktail bars, Hanky Panky and Handshake. I’m not sure why I’ve never done this before. Maybe it’s because I don’t normally go out on NYE. However, if I ever do it in the future, this is the only way I’ll do it. Both of the bars I went to were operating like a regular night, but there was just something slightly special to start the new year.

• Churros are underrated. I’ve always loved churros. I remember being a kid in Jersey and going to Six Flags. That’s where the love affair started. I knew that CDMX had tons of churro options, but after I had the ones at El Moro, I felt zero need to have them from anywhere else. Amazing.

• Mexico wines are delicious. Am I the only one that didn’t know that Mexico has a vibrant wine industry? I tried several different varities and they were all incredible. If I had to pick a wine region to specialize in, it would be Mexico. Again I ask, am I the only one that didn’t know that Mexico was making incredible wines?!

• A speakeasy restaurant. Paramo was my second favorite dining experience. We almost didn’t make it here because we couldn’t find it (they don’t even have a real website). I’ve never heard of speakeasy restaurants, but this is exactly what this was. When we arrived we looked around and couldn’t figure out why we couldn’t find it. Then we heard music randomly and followed it up some steps, moved around a corner and there it was in this enclosed courtyard thing. (I was pretty certain we were walking into someone’s grandmother’s house, but fortunately not.) Everything about it was perfect. The tacos, the music, the space, the cocktails…I could have stayed here for hours. Actually, we did stay here for hours.

• Frida Kahlo’s house. I don’t think you can be a creative and not go visit Frida’s house. I loved it even more than I expected. It didn’t have a lot of her work, but I didn’t mind that at all. I could have stayed in that courtyard for hours.

I have so many more memories from Mexico and there’s still so much I want to explore. If in a few months you hear that I’m back in Mexico City, don’t be surprised at all (I wrote that sentence and then looked up flights). I’m definitely already plotting a quick weekend trip.

I hope you’re all well and safe!

Shannon