International Eats: Market Gourmet Café Sets the Bar for Mexico City Eats
In between the long days, weeks, and months of work we get the desire to leave. Not just to leave the everyday surroundings of the office, but the it’s the desire to escape our country to explore some place different. That was my exact feeling in April as I was ready to see something new. Sure I was in Thailand in September, but I felt it was time to leave again. It only took a little convincing from TJ to get me on a plane to Mexico City. Since the tickets were inexpensive, the weather would be great, we’d be with friends, and I could dive into a food scene outside of the states it was an easy decision. As we checked into the hotel at the Marquis Reforma we were starving. At this point, we met up with TJ’s friend Joe and we decided to eat at a restaurant in the hotel’s lobby. 
Whenever I travel to a city or country outside of my own the first destination tends to set the standard especially when it comes to food. The first restaurant may offer a taste of what plates at other locations will be like. Whether it’s good or bad, the point is an eatery can forecast the food in an area and it can only get better or worse from there. Thankfully, lunch at the Market Gourmet Cafe set the bar fairly high.
My first impression was that the restaurant was incredibly bright and inviting. The color scheme of green, blue, and white was a beautiful way to wake up from a dreary three-hour flight. Add to that, the glass ceiling let in as much daylight as the sun delivered, and a plush wall of leaves made the interior feel relaxing and fresh. People dining in the restaurant were so well dressed. Men hung their suit jackets on the back of chairs and the clacking of women in heels was heard throughout the cafe. Sitting in the restaurant felt like we were eating in a park, but free of the noise and distractions. It was delightful.
Before we ordered, the waiter brought a complimentary amuse-bouche. Separate from an appetizer, an amuse-bouche is a small starter selected by the chef to start the meal. In this case, it was a Shrimp and Tomato Broth to drink. A small glass similar to a shot served as a cheers between the three of us. The drink was warm, thin, and I could barely taste the shrimp. Regardless it was a pleasant way to prep us to order.
As soon as I took my gaze away from the starters, I focused on the menu. Considering it’s a cafe, they don’t have an extensive menu and the portions are moderate. The items serve as a few starters and plates to get you through to your next meal. To drink, I ordered their Infusion with Cucumber and Melon ($65 pesos, $3.50). This was the best drink to get after getting settled into the hotel from the flight. The infusion in the maison jar leaned closer to the light side of a flavored water, and less than to a sugary juice drink. From start to finish, the drink was absolutely refreshing thanks to the slices of melon and cucumber and it wasn’t too sweet to the point that you would feel like you were drinking lemonade. Instead, it was perfectly balanced in the middle.
I ordered the Shrimp and Fish Pescadillas ($129 pesos, $7). Four small empanada-like shells were placed in front of me in a woven box. They were perfectly browned on the exterior and topped with shredded peppered veggies. I sliced the first one open to see how it looked inside and the opened pocket let out a draft of steam, which carried a beautiful smell that made me want to devour the pescadilla, which I did. I liked the taste of the flakey crust but the seafood wasn’t as flavored as I would have liked. I would have loved it even more if it had a bit more of a spice inside on the seafood, but the lack of it didn’t make it a bad dish. It was still pleasing in spite of that.
Opposite of my lunch, TJ and Joe both ordered their own. Joe ordered a pair of Empanadas (no price available), while TJ went with the Beef and Oxtail Tacos (no price available). Since I didn’t know Joe too well, I thought it would best to stay out of his food. It may not be the best first impression to meet someone and then ask to take a bite out of their lunch, this feeling would change by the second day. However, since TJ and I are best friends I didn’t mind diving into his. Beef tacos are common to the taste and don’t really vary in my opinion; they’re either good or they’re not. It’s a safe option. In contrast to that, oxtail is a deliciously tender meat that absorbs flavor which seeps out as you chew it. That was the case with the oxtail taco. It oozed of spice that seemed to be soaked into the meat and enhanced by the cilantro and onions. With a single bite, I wish I ordered this in addition to my own food. I was tempted to finish his taco, but TJ did it for the both of us.
Lunch at the Gourmet Market Café was the perfect choice after the flight from Los Angeles. I loved the relaxing aesthetic of the café and how comfortable it felt to be there. Even more, I enjoyed the small plates that were both beautifully plated and delicious. This small café did a great job at setting the bar for good eats in Mexico City. After eating here, I was ready to explore more restaurants to see if they would be just as good or better.
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Address: Paseo de la Reforma 465, Cuauhtémoc, 06500 Ciudad de México, D.F., Mexico
Phone: (55)-5229-1200
Hours: Monday to Friday – 7:00am to 11:00pm. Closed on weekends
Social: Website
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Lovely post.
Thank you!!
I’m really hungry right now (special thanks to this post). Your pics are just yummy!!! You are a very talented photographer (the food practically flies off the page). I would love to try the Shrimp and Fish Pescadillas!
Ohhhh Anne, that is so sweet of you. I’m still working on my photography, teaching myself as I go, so your words come at a perfect time <3 <3 <3
Wow, this place looks amazing! Food looks so good! Would love to go to Mexico City! 🙂
The city, the food, the people, everything was amazing. I already want to go back. Hopefully you can make your way over there!
I had some of the most delicious food I’ve ever tried in Mexico City…in general I love the whole country!!
I love it there too and have to agree with you, it’s probably some of the best food I’ve ever had — and I eat A LOT!!!!
I was Cancun a couple months ago and was in love with the overall food scene there. Seems like they really know how to master hospitality and serve food at it’s best.
Exactly! Somehow they have a solid handle on how to create exceptional dishes and memorable experiences and it only makes me wanna go back!
What a lovely & Delicious Post !! Loved it
Yay, thanks so much Soniya!! <3
I definitely have a love/hate relationship with your blog. So much great food options; the oxtail tacos sound so good.
Hahahaha that’s good to know, Sam! The oxtail tacos were amaze, this is your notice that you MUST go to Mexico City!!! =]
I went to Mexico back in 2008 and it was amazing! I still can’t forget the taste of the food. I wonder what it tastes like in here
OOOOOhhhh sounds like you’re overdue for a overdue for a trip back. Hopefully you’ll get to go and get reacquainted with the food all over again!
Wow!! Everything looks so tasty – I was trying to pick a favorite of what I’d try first but couldn’t decide!!
Hehe thank you, and that was my same dilemma too!!!
My husband and I LOVE to eat when we travel! We’ve never been to Mexico City, but hope to one day. These eats look amazing!
It’s totally a place that has great food, Christine. Hope you guys can check it out soon!!
YUM! Oh my goodness it looks so good! Definitely do not live close enough ugh!
I know, the distance is KILLER but if you ever need a vacay then it’s beyond worth the trip!
Wonderful post, and lovely photos. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂
Of course, so glad you liked it!
This place looks absolutely delicious; I would love to be able to experience cuisine from Mexico City! I would be tempted to try everything.’
xo, alice / T Y P E N U
You totally have to check it out if you get the chance, it’s almost impossible to resist eating the entire menu!
Oh man! This looks so good!
Thanks so much, Kat <3
Oh yummy . You know in Mexico they truly do have the best margaritas . Nowhere even compares
You know what, I didn’t try a bunch of margaritas while I was out there which is kind of crazy. I think I wanted to check out some other things instead. But that kind of just gives me a reason to go back. Like, “Why are you going back to Mexico, Danielle?” Me: “Margaritas!!!!”
Everything looks so good and it sounds like the service was excellent! I need to get to Mexico city!
That’s EXACTLY how it was so I totally suggest you find yourself over there cuz you will looooooove it!!!!
This looks good, the presentation is amazing.
Thank you! <3
Oh wow! This place looks amazing! You get to go to some awesome restaurants!
Thank you, I feel like the luckiest kid! <3
Yummy! This looks so good.
Thanks Latoya, it was!