daily slice-of-life photo blog of a Gen-X dad
Mariko left for Japan today, so I’m handling dinners until she returns. For tonight, I made a big batch of carnitas in the Instant Pot and set out ingredients so we could each put together our own nacho plates. Everything turned out really well, and the best part is we have enough leftovers to enjoy again tomorrow!
One of the little routines Mariko and I really enjoyed in Mexico City was taking a walk after dinner. We’d stroll back to our Airbnb after eating out, which felt like the perfect way to end the evening. It gave us a bit of exercise and helped with digestion, too. I even listened to a LifeKit episode that listed all the benefits of after-meal walks, so it has to be good for us, right? 😁
Today kicked off with a visit to Mercado Sonora. I had heard it was big, bustling, and perfect for finding inexpensive dishes, and it did not disappoint. We were also hunting for a molcajete to bring home, and ended up scoring a fun pig-shaped one!
After our shopping spree, we had lunch at El Puerto de Don Roque. Shrimp is their specialty, so of course we ordered a couple of plates. The food was fantastic, and since the place was packed with locals, we knew we made the right choice.
We lugged home our heavy haul of plates, bowls, and the pig molcajete, then took a quick rest before our next adventure: a Lucha Libre experience. The evening started in an apartment near the arena, where our host gave us a crash course on the history of Mexican wrestling, the rules, and the etiquette. We even learned a few colorful phrases to shout at the wrestlers, which is actually encouraged! A young wrestler stopped by to answer our questions about his career, and all the while we enjoyed beer, mezcal, and vegetarian tacos.
Then it was time for the main event at Arena México. There were six matches in total, including one with women wrestlers. Each fight was full of energy, drama, and fun. We had such a blast, especially once we got the hang of yelling our new swear phrases at the villains. What a night!
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!
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.
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).
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.
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.
