Hacienda Las Palomas is located in the affluent barrio Carrasco (home to diplomats, movers and shakers and people with access to ridiculously large sums of money.)
The food is really quite flavorful and imaginative. The meal begins with crispy fried strips of flour tortillas served with three varieties of salsa -- verde, mild red and a dark red picante. If I haven't mentioned the bland nature of the food here, I am now. When dining at Hacienda Las Palomas we always consume more than our fair share of the salsa picante.
Potent margaritas are available frozen and on the rocks. Lemon slices garnish the authentic Mexican stemware. (You can buy limes here, so why would they choose a lemon for garnish? Fodder for another post, I suppose.)
On our last visit, I ordered nachos. I was pleasantly surprised by the creative interpretation of this venerable classic. My nachos arrived on a large platter featuring neat compartments, each containing a fresh take on traditional nacho ingredients -- a crispy version of homemade chips shaped like dainty quatrefoils, light and fluffy guacamole, black bean refritos and a heavenly rich cheese sauce. (I suspect whipped heavy cream had been folded into the cheese sauce to give it an incredible ganache-like consistency and buttery pale yellow color.)
I can also vouch for their enchiladas, tacos and chicken wraps. All were delicious and inspired. For dessert, my sweet tooth prefers chocolate, so I was compelled to sample their version of death by chocolate--a small, dense torta served warm with dark chocolate sauce and a mound of vanilla ice cream. A pleasant, but filling end to the meal.
Entree prices range from $15 to $23 USD. A margarita will set you back $6. While these prices may not seem too outrageous to the average American, they are considered quite high here. Dinner at Hacienda Las Palomas is usually reserved for a special evening out with friends. Call to confirm hours and make reservations 600 179 (Wednesday-Saturday 7pm-close; Sunday for lunch only). Easy to find at Pedro Domingo Murillo 6566 in Carrasco.
La Lupita is the other choice for Mexican cuisine in the city. Authentic Mexican food created by authentic Mexicans. This diminutive restaurant is located in Punta Carretas. While the neighborhood is upscale, the restaurant is real and unpretentious; a favorite among locals. Corn tortillas and chips are made from scratch. The salsa brims with the flavor of fresh tomatoes, but could use a bit more kick. The food may lack pizzazz, but the restaurant makes up for it with heart.
I have tried the tacos, enchiladas rojas and tortilla soup. All basic, hearty and never once a disappointment. The tortilla soup at La Lupita is a steamy onion broth served with tortilla strips, smoked chipotle peppers, grated cheese and cubed avocados on the side for the diner to add as they wish. Fabulous on a chilly July evening.Margaritas are served over finely crushed ice and are garnished with the familiar slice of lemon and taste amazingly like their lemonade sold by the pitcher. Lemon margaritas. Hmmmm. Odd, but refreshing.
Prices at La Lupita are half that of Hacienda Las Palomas. Good news for those of us on a budget. Get there early or call and see if they accept reservations 712 1966 (hours Tuesday-Saturday 8:30pm-12:30am; closed Sunday and Monday.) Warm weather heralds longer waits and the lively crowd spills onto al fresco sidewalk seating. Located at Luis de la Torre 565 and Gregorio Suárez in Punta Carretas.
Bon appetite (and yes, they do say that here.)