Oaxaca Restaurant

Oaxaca Restaurant in Sedona, AZ is an old world style Mexican restaurant that offers casual family dining with an extensive menu of traditional and modern Mexican flavors. With breath-taking scenery and beautiful views from the rooftop cantina, Oaxaca has earned it’s title of Local Secret/Big Find by Travelocity.com.

XOCO

XOCO pronounced “SHO-ko”—is the Aztec word for “little sister" and is a fast-casual restaurant from Rick and Deann Bayless that offers contemporary expressions of Mexico’s most beloved street food and snacks in downtown Chicago. 

dLeña

dLeña is a wood-fire based Mexican restaurant from Chef Richard Sandoval. The concept celebrates “leña,” or firewood, and the nuanced flavors smoke can impart on both its wood-fired food, and smokey mezcal and tequila-centric menus. Closest Metro is Gallery Place or Mt. Vernon Square-Convention Center.

Espita

Espita offers authentic flavors and techniques of Southern Mexico. Located in Shaw, Espita specializes in Oaxacan cuisine seen through the lens of the Mid-Atlantic. You will not find traditional Oaxacan dishes here. Instead you will find authentic Oaxacan flavors and techniques applied to the seasonal bounty of our region, creating a unique experience including DC’s best mole, tlayudas, & mezcal. Closest Metro is Mount Vernon Square-Convention Center.

Poca Madre

Poca Madre is an upscale Mexican restaurant by Chef Victor Albisu, offering a refined contemporary dining experience in the heart of the nation's capital. Located next door to his taco spot, Taco Bamba, the 70-seat interior of Poca Madre is accented with colors of deep green and black, complemented with gold and bronze accents. An outdoor lounge is available for enjoyment in the warmer months.  Closest Metro is Chinatown.

Taco City

Taco City is inspired by the Aztec/Mayan culture, mixing Mexican current traditions with today's modern society.  Located passed the bridge on 8th Street SE (south side of Barracks Row), stop here for Happy Hour specials before heading to a baseball game at Nationals Park.

Mi Vida

Mi Vida translates to "My Life." However, in Mexico, it is a term of endearment bestowed on close family and friends to signify love, care and importance.  Located at The Wharf in DC, this restaurant is the evolution of Chef Roberto Santibañez's culinary journey as he continues to explore his beloved Mexico. The menu is inspired by Mexican street food and traditional home cooking of his country, but in a modern, elevated presentation. Closest Metro is L'Enfant Plaza.

Meso Maya

Meso Maya in Dallas, TX has a large menu that pays homage to Mexican and Mayan food, techniques, and methods.  The chef uses herbs and spices for homemade adobos and salsas, makes hand-ground tortillas, and features scratch-made entrees prepared with a reverence to the states of Mexico—glorious places like Yucatan, Vera Cruz, and Chiapas.

La Puerta Verde

Located in Ivy City, La Puerta Verde translates as "The Green Door", and is Chef Ari Gejdenson's, of Mindful Restaurant Group, homage to the Mexican culture and influences found throughout the city. In Mexico the color green represents hope. Ari was inspired to create La Puerta Verde after working alongside so many passionate and talented people in the restaurant industry that left Mexico and now call DC their home. Over the years people have shared pieces of their Mexican culture and cuisine with him which he fell in love with.  Check out my initial preview from January 2017.

PREVIEW: Mindful Restaurant Group expands to Ivy City

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Mindful Restaurant Group has expanded to the Hecht Building in Ivy City with three new spots: Ari's Diner, La Puerta Verde, and Dock FC.  We had a recent taste and tour --- see my photo highlights below!  Closest Metro is New York Avenue.

Javier's

Located along Pacific Coast Highway, just North of Laguna Beach with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, Javier's  presents a rich heritage of elevated Mexican cuisine in a friendly, captivating ambiance. The Mexican specialties on the menu are created with the highest quality seafood, beef, pork and chicken as well as gourmet vegetarian offerings.

El Centro D.F. Debuts New Destination: Oaxaca Menu

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Richard Sandoval’s vibrant Taqueria and Tequileria, El Centro D.F., is pleased to debut a new "destination menu" inspired by Richard Sandoval's recent trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. Twice a year, Richard Sandoval and his corporate chefs travel to a different region of Mexico to research the area's culinary heritage and celebrated foods. The result is a menu that features dishes that showcase the story and experience of Mexico's bold flavors, and culinary heritage.

At Home: Carnitas

Carnitas, or Mexican pulled pork, is so versatile, everyone needs a staple recipe in their back pocket. This recipe is ridiculously easy, because it's made in a Crock-Pot, so you can "set it and forget it". Use the pork for tacos, nachos, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas - the possibilities are endless! Get the recipe below on What Micky Eats...At Home.

At Home: Creamy Chipotle Shrimp Tostadas

Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. PBS’ Mexico–One Plate at a Time. James Beard award-winning restaurants. Chef Rick Bayless knows flavor and he recently partnered with Negra Modelo to feature some of his own recipes for their Beer Meets Food campaign.  As an appetizer to pair with the beer, I made his Creamy Chipotle Shrimp Tostadas and wanted to share with you...At Home.  This little bite is loaded with smoky flavor from the adobo sauce and so easy to whip together.  The small servings are great for parties!

At Home: Roasted Tomatillo Guacamole

Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. PBS’ Mexico–One Plate at a Time. James Beard award-winning restaurants. Chef Rick Bayless knows flavor and he partnered with Negra Modelo to feature some of his own recipes for their Beer Meets Food campaign.  I recently made his Roasted Tomatillo Guacamole and wanted to share with you...At Home.  This classic Mexican party dip is a crowd pleaser and has a nice twist with the tomatillos plus some chicharrón for added crunch.

The Well Dressed Burrito

***Special Post by Keith***
Recently The Well Dressed Burrito invited Micky to come by and try one of their famous burritos but it's pretty tough for her to get out of work for lunch so she asked me to stop by. I've been hearing about this place for years, but somehow was never able to get there until this past Friday. Located just south of Dupont Circle in an alley off 19th St NW between M St and N St, this lunch-only Mexican spot has a rotating menu of fusion burritos and Mexican staples.

At Home: Chicken, Cheese, & Bean Enchiladas

This next installment of What Micky Eats...At Home features a twist on the famous 'lasagna-style' enchiladas that I've made before.  Instead of layering tortillas with goodies into a casserole dish, I filled each tortilla individually and rolled them up before baking.  These Chicken, Cheese, & Bean Enchiladas were approved by my father recently, so I was pleased to have made another successful dish to satisfy that Mexican craving.

Johnny Pistolas

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Johnny Pistolas is a Mexican taqueria bar serving up delicious LA style tacos in Adams Morgan with creative specialties, $1 Happy Hour tacos, $2 tacos on Tuesday, $30 weekend bottomless brunch, and signature craft cocktails in a fun and inviting atmosphere.  The kitchen is open until 12 midnight with the bar open until 3am, so check them out for a fun late night out.  Closest Metro is Woodley Park - Adams Morgan.

Agua 301

Agua 301 celebrates the culture and cuisine of Mexico by taking contemporary Mexican cuisine and infusing it with modern flair. The chef tweaks traditional Mexican ingredients and flavor profiles through experimental ingredient combinations and serves it up waterside in Yards Park.  Though I'd recommend this place for happy hour drinks, rather than a gourmet meal.  Closest Metro is Navy Yard.

Alamexo

Alamexo serves Chef Matt Lake's modern interpretation of classic Mexican fare in a contemporary setting in downtown Salt Lake City.  I was in town for a work conference and this restaurant was close to our hotel.  Being Cinco de Mayo, we thought it was appropriate to dine here.  We did not have reservations, but went early enough that we were able to snag a great table by the corner window.