Restaurants in Ottawa - Ahora

Ahora is a simple Mexican self-service restaurant. I think this is one of the few Mexican restaurants in Ottawa and is pretty authentic.

It is not cheap for what it is. The main dishes cost 9-14 CAD. It is well situated on Dalhousie which is part of the Market area in Ottawa. I had Pollo Asado (chicken with corn tortillas) 13.90 CAD.

restaurants New York - Chipotle

Great fast food with fresh ingredients. Many locations, fast, delicious and rather cheap that is all I got to say!

Chicken salad with beans, rice and a tasty salad dressing costs $7.35.

Chipotle

304 W 34th Street

New York, NY 10001

Restaurants New York - Delicatessen

This is a good restaurant in the middle of SoHo with a variety of dishes. In the summer they open all the windows and they have seating outside. It does however feel very hot when it is 33 degrees celsius and you might prefer the good old air conditioned restaurants.

I had the Chinoise Salad and one of my favourites truffle fries. The truffle fries reminded me of the delicious ones I used to have in the Windy City Fox and Noble.

It is good value for money Chinoise salad $12, truffle fries $8. It is a popular place for weekend brunches cause they have a lot of breakfast dishes as well, so you might have to wait a little.

Delicatessen NYC

54 Prince Street

New York, NY

10012

Califa

This upscaled version of a taco stand no doubt sets the standard for quality tacos and impeccable service. Located in hip Condesa, A favorite for discerning afterparty munchers, Califa is open from around mexican lunch time (2:00pm) until late/early in the morning (5:00am).

Appetizers include "jugo de carne"; a delicious thick and spicy beef broth and "frijoles charros"; a soup-like preparation of beans with bacon, onions and peppers sided with freshly made "tostadas"; tortillas grilled to a crunchy state.

Favorite specialties include thin sliced grilled steak on a fresh-made tortilla topped with grilled cheese. To compliment your tacos you can always depend on ripe and flawless avocados and seasoned grilled onions. An assortment of freshly-made salsas are diligently set at the table upon arrival.

Tacos al pastor and gringas are the spicy mexican version of middle eastern shawarma; a 50 pound skewer of thin-sliced pork rubbed with spicy achiote that rotates side to a grill that slowly cooks to perfection the outer layer of the skewer. Top that with grilled cheese and onions and you have a gringa.

Vegetarian options include grilled cactus leafs and a variety of molten cheese combinations like mushrooms or peppers.

Caramel custard and sweet pot coffee round up a perfect late night meal.

Altata 22 (Alfonso Reyez near to Nuevo Leon)

Restaurants Vienna - Mas

This is one of my favourite brunch places in Vienna.

They have a huge variety of choices for breakfast from cereals, cheeses, fruits, omelets, waffles to fresh orange juice. It is a very relaxed atmosphere and one can hang out there with friends on a Sunday tranquilly.

imas

Laudongasse 36

1080 Vienna

www.restaurante-mas.at

Restaurants Ottawa - Milagro Grill

Milagro Grill is in a very cute area of Ottawa called Westborough. There are many little boutiques, furniture stores, cafes there and it is basically a nice area to spend a Saturday afternoon.

After knowing real Mexican food and having been spoilt by the great options in Chicago, it is very hard to write about it without being a little critical. However, if you feel like comfort food this is certainly a good option and in the summer they have a nice patio.

We tried the mole enchiladas and the normal chicken enchilada. Both dishes tasted fine and were filling. The guacamole was a little disappointing because they had not made it fresh and so it was very brown and cold; they did not use fresh chilies, but something like a chili powder which did not make it taste like authentic guacamole (plus the tortilla chips were dripping in oil, but to be fair that happens in many places).

The prices are reasonable, but not cheap. The Mole dish was 13.50 CAD, the Enchilada 9.50 CAD and the guacamole 7.50 CAD.

Milagro Grill

367 Richmond Road

Ottawa, ON K2A 0E7

Tel. 613 722 8011

www.milagrogrill.com

Restaurants Oaxaca -La Palapa de Raul

This is a local Restaurant where local people from Oaxaca go if they want delicious and authentic Oaxacan food. It is worth the drive 10 minutes outside of Oaxaca city center.

The food that we ordered was:

Cochinita Pibil (120 pesos) and Mole Almendrado (105 pesos)

Both were very delicious and with a whole array of herbs. The Cochinita had a strong cumin flavour which was outstanding. The Mole was a tiny bit spicy, but very enjoyable. 

The staff is friendly and the simple decor is inviting.

Maria Magarita Beristain Maldonado

Camino Analco No.2 Tlalixtac de Cabrera

CP.68270 Oaxaca Tel. (951) 5175 450

Restaurants in Chicago -Picante (comfort food after a night out)

This is a place where you can come at 2 am in the morning for some fresh quesadillas. They have a couple of tables and chairs outside in the summer - so you can sit outside (weather permitting).

It is a simple place with no seating, but good fresh ingredients.

Three quesadillas (cheese with fresh basil and tomato) cost around $5.25.

2016 1/2 W Division

Tel 773 328 8800

www.picantetaqueria.com

Restaurants in Chicago -Chipotle (my guilty pleasure)

This is a Mexican fast food chain. One would think that since I have tried a ton of authentic food from Mexico, that perhaps I would not like this fast food. But I think some Mexican's would agree - it is a great, healthy choice for comfort food.

It is the best fast food chain I know. Fresh ingredients and quick. I love the salad (with beans, tomato, sour cream, cheese and if you want guacamole) there.

It is around $8 per person.

Restaurants Playa del Carmen Mexico - Yaxche

This is a traditional Mayan Restaurant. 

We had Mayitas de pollo which are delicious chicken fajitas with a delicious guacamole. 

The Cochinita Pibil which is pulled pork steamed with spices and served on banana leaves. Even though it was a pork dish, it was not at all oily/fatty.

One could sit outside next to the road. The ambience is basic (table cloth and candles) and the service is good.

The main dishes are around 130 pesos (at the current exchange rate that is around $9)

Address:

Calle 8 Nte Num 135 Local 5

Entre 5TA y 10A av. Col Centro

Playa del Carmen

Restaurants in Chicago - Frontera Grill

Reinterpretation of Mexican flavours, but not venturing into fusion or creative combinations. This is not your every day Mexican Joint, so do not expect tacos. They have a great spin on the usual choices. Plus everything is fresh, bold and tastes authentic.

This is not the place for a romantic evening, but great fun for a group.

The Tequilas were good!

$40 per person.

445 North Clark Street

Chicago, IL 60610

Tel. 312 661 1434

www.fronterakitchens.com/restaurants/restaurants.html