Restaurants in Mexico City

Formal / French Restaurants

In keeping with its role as an important world capital, Mexico City has several restaurants that are upscale European-type places. Les Moustaches (5533-3390/1265) in a lovely, large house near the US embassy in the Reforma Centro area is one of the traditional favorites. Le Champs Elysee (5533-3698, 5514-0450) is, according to the high-level government officials and other high rollers, the place to be seen and, accordingly, the best French restaurant in the Capital.

Le Cirque (5263-8888) is another formal French located in the Camino Real Hotel, very much in-line with its New York sibling. In the Presidente InterContinental Hotel is currently the most successful of this crowd, Au Pied de Cochon (5327-7700). This French dining room is a much prettier execution than the original. It also manages to be both formal and informal at the same time and it is the best place in Mexico to get fresh French Belon, and Fines Claires oysters flown in daily on Air France's Airbus A340s.

Au Pied is also one of the main eateries of the Mexico City plutocracy and is open 24 hours. Another good little choice is the Bistrot Mosaico (5584-2932), situated in the heart of the Condesa, with other locations in Santa Fe and San Angel. Featuring the head chef of the famous Champs Elysees restaurant, Bistrot Mosaico offers excellent food at reasonable prices. Make sure you try the steak tartare. Bice (5263-8888 ext. 8444) is obviously the child of the Bice restaurants in Milan, and New York, among others. It is in the Camino Real Hotel and the atmosphere is often better than the food. In a striking setting overlooking a man-made lake in the middle of Chapultepec Park there is El Lago (5515-9586/9588). Although not "European formal", the setting is "contemporary formal" with interesting elements of Mexican cuisine. It bills itself as the “prettiest” restaurant in Mexico because of its spectacular view.

Pujol (5545-4111) “auteur cuisine” (does such a term exist?) Well, this small but pristinely designed restaurant in Polanco, has given meaning to the label. French food exquisitely prepared, coupled with wonderful presentation and a special verve for tart flavors ... flavors that taste entirely different. Pujol is small, but purposely so. It strives for original excellence by not consuming the clientele in some showy banquet hall but endearing them with its spectacularly clean and refreshing layout. Whites, beiges, browns and food to die for.

L'Olivier (5545-3133) - The first restaurant of chef Olivier Lombard on Calle Masarik in Polanco - he has three now on the same street - is a gastronomical delight of French dishes and international cuisine. The wooden floors and enormous glass windows conjure up a very chic dining-hall atmosphere and L'Olivier has now become a favorite lunchtime rendez-vous for many Polancolites. Without doubt duck rules as the best dish on its menu complemented by a carefully selected wine list. Considering the quality of the food the prices are also quite reasonable.

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