11/29/08

great BYO restaurant in north lakeview

by Celstrial

Had a great meal this evening at Mixteco, a gem in a city relatively sparse in solid mexican cuisine. front of the house was very accomodating and service was top-notch, something that at times is a lost art. the space is small so call ahead to make reservations. it's also BYO so don't forget the alcohol although there is an affordable liquor store across the street. for dinner we had the guacamole which is topped with slices of cucumber and jicama, different yet solid. we also shared the trio of sopes with mushrooms, pork and chicken with mole sauce which were very enjoyable. for dinner i had chicken enchiladas with mole sauce which came with a side salad, great classic dish, mole very complex and delicious. my date had the special that evening which was char-grilled scallops with a mix of roasted garlic, black beans and avocado, DELICIOUS. i was jealous of his dish. if you're in the neighborhood, try it out! it's small so make sure to make reservations or come early/late.

• Pros: food, value, service
• Cons: a bit small, but i heard they're expanding soon.

Mole takes center stage at this low-key Oaxacan joint from a Rick Bayless protege.

by Jennifer Olvera

In Short
A cheery sun-adorned awning welcomes a line of diners to this tiny, casual restaurant with distressed yellow walls, tiled floors and simple wooden tables. A small counter is all that separates diners from the kitchen action, a fact that allows the escape of heady scents from long-simmered, complex sauces. Elevated Mexican fare is on the menu with moles--rojo atop sopes, verde on wood-grilled fish--in a starring role. Meals can be comprised of small plates, such as lime-marinated marlin ceviche with tomatoes, serrano chiles, cilantro and onions. Entree-sized selections include cochinita pibil, slow-roasted pork stained with achiote.