"El Carlos Elegante, which comes from the same team behind Sister, The Charles, and Cafe Duro, reminds us of a high-end Mexico City restaurant. There’s a brilliant mezcal menu, killer cocktails, and an in-house masa program that uses Indigenous techniques for all corn-based plates. Their specials change seasonally, but a recent stand out was the lengua-filled quesadilla with oaxaca cheese that comes with pickled giardiniera and dense, rich mole. But you can’t leave without trying their classics like the pork al pastor and the Mayan hummus. If you’re dining solo, order a few things from their single-serving One Hitter menu, like the tiny garbanzo sope with lime-laced carrot slaw. " - lee escobedo, gabe bergado, emily smith
Phillip Lim