Digesting The Reviews: Introducing Mexico DF
The Michael Bauer weekend review took its road show to the upscale Mexico DF (named for the nation's capital, Distrito Federal) and like Bauer's earlier review of another upscale Mexican joint earlier this year (Tres Agaves), the results were none too pretty.
The first hiccup came with the extensive--and confusing--drink menu; with over 60 tequilas and an entire page of fancy fruity cocktails, Bauer had a hard time finding a normal margarita (" trying to translate the menu was akin to reading a Japanese menu when you don't know the language").
The other big problems were service-oriented, including our biggest avocado-related pet peeve ever:
In addition, the staff has the annoying tendency to upsell. On each visit, when the waiter asks if you want to order a drink, it's followed by, "Can I get you started with some guacamole?" At lunch we ordered chilaquiles ($11.50), tortilla chips bathed in salsa roja, crema and cotija cheese and topped with strips of grilled chicken; it was available with fried egg on request for $1.50 extra. We didn't request it, but we got it anyway, along with the extra charge.Nothing annoys us more than upselling. It's degrading and insulting to the diner, and along with wine suggestions, the most common occurrences of upselling (in our experience) is the push for guacamole at the mid to upscale Latin American restaurant.
Service issues aside, there were some high points in Bauer's Mexico DF visit, and they centered around the food, which is certainly promising for the DF crew. The carnitas (sold by the pound) are a good option, as are the tacos, large plates and dessert (the burnt caramel flan was one of the best Bauer has ever had).
Mexico DF has only been open for a couple months, and its shortcomings certainly seem correctable. Here's hoping for improvement with time. But until then, say no to upselling.
Mexico DF shows promise, but ultimately disappoints [SFGate]
Mexico DF [MenuPages]
Mexico DF [Official Site]
