COLONIA DEL VALLE
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Rico Food Comida China
Av. Coyoacán 426
Tel. 5682-9220
open daily until 9PM
$$

One of the few options in the city for truly authentic Chinese food, this nicely appointedCantonese place attracts large Chinese families, and offers dim sum, not on the menu, early in the day.

ZONA ROSA / CUAUHTEMOC
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Istanbul Turkish Cuisine
Río Pánuco 163, Colonia Cuauhtémoc
Tel. 5511-2482
Open daily 11:30-1AM
/www.istanbulturkishcuisine.com
$$

  For chowhounds like me, the opening of Mexico City’s first Turkish restaurant is welcome news.  a comfortable, unpretentious place with an outdoor seating area a few blocks north of Reforma, serving authentic, carefully prepared Turkish cuisine.
 
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OBSERVATORIO

Casa Merlos
Victoriano Zepeda 80,  Colonia Observatorio
Tel. 5277-4360
Open Thursday – Sunday 1-4PM
$$

Although located in a somewhat dreary neighborhood east of the centro, Casa Merlos is the best place to sample the regional cuisine of Puebla. The setting is rustic and homey  (stucco walls and red tile floors) in keeping with its traditional  family-run history.  Appetizers include chalupas, (or “little boats”) a variation on the more common sopes. other worthwhile dishes are Manchamanteles (tablecloth stainers) ,a juicy stew of meat and  dried and fresh fruit, pipian, and of course, the renowned mole poblano. Casa Merlos features several seasonal festivals; in October  up to 10 different moles are offered.
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TLALPAN

Restaurante Arroyo
Insurgentes Sur 4003, Tlalpan
Tel. 5573 4344
Open daily, 8AM – 8PM
$$

Located in the southern end of the city, the largest restaurant in Mexico (if not the World!) with seating for more than 2000 people, is the ultimate Mexican experience. On weekends there are  mariachis and it seems as if half the city is there. Although the menu is large and features just about every Mexican classic in the book, the specialty is country-style barbacoa.
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SAN MIGUEL CHAPULTEPEC

Restaurant La Poblanita de Tacubaya  (1947)
Luis G. Vieyra 12,  Colonia San Miguel Chapultepec
metro Tacubaya
Tel. 2614 4707
Open daily 9AM – 7PM
$

This lively and popular spot serves good  Poblano specialties (from the state of Puebla).
Sweet and chocolaty  mole is, of course, featured, as are rich and nutty pipianes. Sopes or a caldo de gallina make good starters, and main course can be composed of tacos of  the various guisados offered.  A satisfying accompaniment is arroz y plátanos.
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SANTA MARIA RIBERA  /  TABACALERA   /  SAN RAFAEL

Tio Pedro
Antonio Caso 42 (between Insurgentes Nte. and Madrid
Colonia Tabacalera
Open daily 24 hours
$

This ancient place, a few blocks north of Reforma, has blue and white tile walls and groovy old signs. It is known for its excellent caldo de gallina or chicken soup, accompanied by hand-made tortillas and sopes, available round-the-clock.

La Oveja Negra
Sabino 215, Santa María la Ribera
Tel.: 5541-0405
Open Saturday and Sunday only
$$

This traditional neighborhood restaurant specializes in barbacoa, roasted in maguey leaves, which they only make on weekends and holidays. Everything here is of extra high quality, from tortillas to salsas - be sure to try the nopales aztecas as a side dish. Curados of pulque are on the menu as are several other antojitos for those who don’t care for so much meat. Their sheep are raised organically on their own ranch, making this a true Slow Food gem.

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TEOTIHUACAN

La Gruta (1906)
see their website for location:
www.lagruta.com.mx
$$

There are many restaurants on the road circling the ruins--an interesting choice is La Gruta, located in the depths of a cave by Puerta 5. It has existed since the turn of the century (there are photos of Porfirio Díaz eating there). The food is decent - Mexican standards a la Café Tacuba, and the atmosphere is festive and odd.
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TACUBAYA

El Borrego Viudo (1968)
Av. Revolución 241, corner of Viaducto, Colonia Tacubaya
Open daily 24 hours
$$

This legendary taquería specializes in tacos al pastor, de cabeza, suadero, and tepache, and if you are driving, has an enormous garage where you can park and eat – good for a late.night/early morning snack.