Recommend February 2014 - (Page 47)

onsitereview N O V E M B E R 2 0 13 a favorite with locals. Tell seafood lovers they can enjoy seasonal oysters in the shell, crab claws and clams, and on Thursday evenings, the restaurant offers a chef's night, in which chefs prepare a special menu. TAKE A STROLL: A walk through Polanco, one of the city's most afﬂuent neighborhoods, is a delight, with an eclectic mix of street names that mirror famous philosophers, scientists and authors such as Edgar Allen Poe, Dumas and Lord Byron. Here, visitors will be rubbing shoulders with some of Latin America's wealthiest citizens, as they hang out at trendy art galleries, highend shops-think Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Gucci (all three of these, by the way, are located on Avenida Presidente Masaryk)- chic cafes, neighborhood parks and restaurants. Polanco's nicest eating spots are located next to Lincoln Park, an area that come nighttime gets very lively. For high-end, one-of-a-kind jewelry, recommend clients with deep pockets take a detour to Peyrelongue Jewelry Shop, and TANE, which specializes in silver design; both are located on Avenida Presidente Masaryk. 2nd day WHERE TO GO: Located in an Art Deco building in the city's historic neighborhood, the Museum of Popular Art-yes, it's another museum, but the city is made for museum-hopping-is a wonderful space full of color and delightful exhibits that wellheeled clients with culturally curious children will love. Opened in 2006, this institution, which promotes and conserves the country's folklore and handicrafts, explores the origins and signiﬁcance of popular art throughout Mexico with displays that feature pottery, ceramics, glasswork, metalwork, woodcarving, papier-mache, basketry, weaving, textiles and traditional dresses. Tell clients to peek into the Day of the Dead exhibit-it's one of the most unique spaces in the museum. The gift shop, meanwhile, is a wonderful place to get those must-have souvenirs. WHERE TO EAT: It's off to the Roma neighborhood again for a home-style dining experience at Rosetta, a converted mansion serving up great Italian fare. If they can, clients should reserve a table in the high-ceilinged covered patio, but even if they get a table inside they'll be admiring the architecture and subtle ﬂoral motifs as much as the culinary delights (our carb-free diet was tossed out the window here). TAKE A STROLL: Your clients can't leave Mexico City without taking a stroll through the historic center and that includes admiring the buildings that encircle the Zocalo, one of the world's largest public plazas and ﬁlled to the brim with historical signiﬁcance. In this heart of the city, tell clients to explore the magniﬁcent Metropolitan Cathedral, Latin America's largest Catholic church; the National Palace, home to artwork by one of Mexico's greatest painters, Diego Rivera; and the Templo Mayor site, one of the main Aztec temples. The streets that lead to the Zocalo are also home to historic buildings, including one of the most stunning of all, the House of Tiles, or Casa de Azulejos, a former mansion completely covered in blue and white Puebla tile. 3rd day WHERE TO GO: Once clients have explored Mexico's past via its museums, they can hang with local artisans at the Bazaar del Sabado in San Angel. This lively Saturday fair is full of colorful handicrafts of all sorts-from handmade Nativity scenes and magnets, to bracelets, unique pillows and handmade, homeopathic soaps, as well as all manner of art pieces. Even if your clients aren't in the mood to buy anything-although once they visit the bazaar they won't be able to help themselves-they'll still want to take a stroll through the various crafts markets that make up the bazaar, as well as the colonial neighborhood, San Angel, in which it resides. Here in San Angel-considered one of the city's "Magical Neighborhoods"-they'll ﬁnd narrow cobblestone streets, tree-lined plazas and sprawling haciendas. WHERE TO EAT: Just a short walk away from the bazaar is Paxia, which offers a truly unique dining experience. Here, the presentation is just as important as the sublime culinary creations coming out of the kitchen. Serving contemporary Mexican cuisine with a twist, this is a restaurant where every morsel needs to be savored and where each meal is an intricate creation that chef Daniel Ovadia has poured his heart and soul into. A must! TAKE A STROLL: Recommend a leisurely walk along Paseo de la Reforma, one of the city's main boulevards. If there's Psst... If they want to do like the locals, tell clients to refer to Mexico City as D.F., Distrito Federal, since it's the country's Federal District. There are approximately 21.2 million people living in Greater Mexico City, with 12.5 million visitors every year, and it's made up of 16 boroughs, so keep in mind that this city is not for the weary; recommend it to clients who love a bustling city ambiance. february 2014 47 46-49 MX MexCity.indd 47 1/21/14 8:19 AM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend February 2014

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Corinthia Hotels
Tour Talk: Convertible Caravans of Europe
Boutique Hotels Beckon
VIP Havens
Crystal Cruises
Costa Rica Travel Planner
Anguilla, Foodie Paradise
Carlisle Bay, Antigua
Culturally Infused Mexico City
New Zealand's Luxury Retreats
Kenya: Where Wildlife and Luxury Coexist
Chic Outlet Shopping

Recommend February 2014