"A live fire in the courtyard entrance. Wrought-iron fixtures and earth-toned tiles everywhere. Khruangbin is playing. When restaurants traffic in vibes, the food usually takes a backseat. That’s not the case at El Carlos Elegante. The menu hop-scotches across Mexico, offering everything from caviar-topped beef tartare to luscious chicken mole. The $99 tasting menu is a rundown of the greatest hits, including chilled crab claws and the El Machete, a large blue corn tortilla stuffed with wagyu and cut to order at the table. Meanwhile, cocktails like the La Famosa (sotol, blood orange, Strega, and Aperol) transport you to a patio in Mexico City." - Rosin Saez
Kathy Tran