Photoshoot, More Food, and Shopping in CDMX

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/6.4, 1/50 sec, ISO1600
“Morning Americano” Mexico City, 2025

Today was packed with adventure! We started the morning with a photoshoot with a professional photographer, hitting up Mercado Medellin, Libertario Café, and the nearby park. I wore my brand-new Mexican shirt along with my trusty Hawaiian ukulele aloha shirt, and Mariko wore an amazing Mexican dress. I can’t wait to see the finished pics!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO1000
“Photoshoot” Mexico City, 2025

Afterward, we headed back to the Airbnb for a bit before catching an Uber to San Angel Inn Restaurant. The food was amazing. We tried wild mushrooms, empanadas, beef tongue tacos, and the classic Chile en Nogada. Mariko sipped on a mezcal margarita while I treated myself to a Coke, which tasted extra good since I rarely drink soda. The prices were on the higher side, but the courtyard was beautiful, and the staff was super. Also, the bread they served before the meal was really tasty! There’s something special about Mexican butter too… super creamy.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/310 sec, ISO80
“Chile en Nogada” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/340 sec, ISO80
“Wild Mushrooms with Ajillo Sauce” Mexico CIty, 2025

Next up was the San Angel bazaar, where we picked up some mezcal. We were hoping to find a tortilla basket but couldn’t find one we liked. To recharge, we stopped at Le Pain Quotidien for coffee, “matchai”, and a giant concha pastry that was almost too pretty to eat (almost).

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO80
“Afternoon Coffee” Mexico City, 2025

Our Uber ride back was entertaining thanks to a very chatty driver, and after a short rest at home, we ventured out again. Despite a rainy walk, we made it to a wine bar that was unfortunately closed, but luck was on our side because we ended up at Bar Basico. It turned out to be a fantastic spot and the perfect ending to a fun-filled day.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO640
“Bar Basico” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/4, 1/450 sec, ISO640
“Mezcal Margarita” Mexico City, 2025

Mastering Mexican Salsas Cooking Class

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec, ISO640
“Peppers for Salsas” Mexico City, 2025

Today was easily one of the highlights of our Mexico City trip. We joined a cooking class called Mastering Mexican Salsas, and it was amazing. Our instructor, Pame, was a fountain of knowledge. She didn’t just show us how to make salsa, she also taught us about the peppers, what makes each one special, and how they connect to Mexican culture and history. It was fascinating, fun, and just the right amount of overwhelming. I kept wishing I could record everything so I could play it back later.

We started off with refreshing agua frescas before heading to the tortilleria to watch how corn tortillas are made. I learned that tortilla prices are regulated by the government to help keep them affordable. From there, we explored Mercado Medellin where Pame gave us a crash course on the fresh produce. We even sampled dried bugs, and to my surprise they were delicious. Crunchy, salty, and definitely a first for me. Would be perfect with beer, tequila, or mezcal.

Back in the cooking studio, it was time to roll up our sleeves and make salsas. We charred peppers on the comal, ground ingredients in the molcajete, blended, chopped, and even squeezed in a little dancing while we cooked. By the end we had created ten different kinds of salsas, which blew my mind. Of course, the best part was tasting them all with tacos until I was absolutely stuffed. Mezcal, beer, and Mexican sweets rounded out the feast perfectly.

This experience is one I’ll carry with me forever. Cooking classes like this make traveling even more special. If you’re ever in Mexico City, I definitely recommend the Mastering Mexican Salsas class at Aura Cocina Mexicana in Roma Norte.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO50
“Kitchen” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO50
“Agua Fresca” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO64
“Tortilla Factory” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO160
“Peppers” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/250 sec, ISO80
“Molcajete Time” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/800 sec, ISO80
“Pepper” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO80
“Salsas” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-E4, 27mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO1250
“Salsas” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO80
“Taco with Salsa” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/100 sec, ISO160
“Mezcal” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO100
“Students and Salsas” Mexico City, 2025

Good Eats in Mexico City

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/120 sec, ISO100
“Coffee Time” Mexico City, 2025

The food in Mexico City has been incredible so far, and the prices have made it even better! After work today we wandered over to a nearby café, Brown Caffeine Lab, for coffee and a pastry. There are cafés everywhere here, so it feels like we could pick a new one every day.

Once we had our sugar and caffeine fix, we hopped on the subway and headed to Mercado de Artesanías La Ciudadela where we picked up some beautiful glassware and a few items of clothes. With a photoshoot coming up in a couple of days, we wanted to find some special outfits. I ended up buying two shirts that I really like.

Dinner was at Cantina El Gallo de Oro, which has been serving customers since 1874. The decor only gets a 4 out of 10 from me, but the food was excellent. We ordered an Octopus Cocktail and a Molcajete that was so huge it could have fed a small army. Mariko surprised me by ordering a shot of mezcal to finish the meal, and it was exactly the right way to end it. With leftovers packed up neatly, we strolled over to a couple of bakeries to check out their bread and pastries before making our way home.

With meals like this, you’d think I would have gained a lot of weight by now. Thankfully, all the walking balances it out and keeps things steady.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO250
“Molcajete” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO160
“Mezcal” Mexico City, 2025

Mexican Cooking Class

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO500
“Taco” Mexico City, 2025

Mariko and I had such a blast today at a Mexican Cooking Class. We kicked things off with a trip to the local market, where our instructor showed us how to pick out the best tomatillos, limes, peppers, and all the other fresh ingredients. I loved learning those little tips that make shopping so much easier.

Back in the kitchen, the real fun began. We got our hands messy making corn tortillas from scratch, learned how to use a molcajete the proper way, and whipped up a delicious spread of guacamole, salsa, milpas soup, and chicken enchiladas. Everything tasted amazing, and by the end we were completely stuffed.

To top it off, we even got to sip some craft mezcal. It was the perfect finishing touch to an already awesome class. I’d definitely do it again! The instructor said that a second class would have more advanced techniques and of course different dishes.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 2.2200000286119mm, f/2.2, 1/40 sec, ISO1250
“Sopa Milpas” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/40 sec, ISO800
“Chicken Enchiladas” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO800
“Cooking Class” Mexico City, 2025

Work from CDMX, Chilaquiles, and Helado

Photo info: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/160 sec, ISO200
“Desayuno” Mexico City, 2025

We worked from our Airbnb this morning and did a co-work stream, then we headed out for brunch at Craving Crown. Coffee was a must, of course. I went for chilaquiles and Mariko had huevos al gusto – both hit the spot.

Once work was wrapped up, we wandered over to a nearby mall. It felt just like being back in the US, which was kind of funny. We had sushi at Moshi-Moshi (not very good, but not awful) and couldn’t resist grabbing ice cream at a little McDonald’s kiosk for about ten pesos (0.50 USD). Such a steal!

Later, we strolled around the neighborhood, picked up some fun socks from the street vendor as souvenirs, and found a cute little pot for plants. A mix of work, food, and exploring made for a pretty fun day. And also, a successful first day of workcation in a different country!

Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO250
“Chilaquiles and Huevos al Gusto” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 15 Pro, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/200 sec, ISO50
“Helado” Mexico City, 2025
Photo info: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, 6.7649998656528mm, f/1.8, 1/60 sec, ISO160
“Helado” Mexico City, 2025