Maizajo (TACOS!)

A bit later, I met up with Ingrid for dinner at Maizajo, a restaurant and taquería recommended by the Michelin Guide. Ingrid had walked past earlier that afternoon when it had been almost empty, so she suggested we give it a try. Much to our surprise, there was now a huge queue stretching out the door. We were eager to see what all the fuss was about, though, so we decided to brave the wait.

That wait turned out to be considerably longer than the hostess's optimistic estimate of 45 minutes. I suppose that's what happens when a restaurant is this popular! To make up for the delay, they gave us something far better than the bar seats we had originally been promised: a table right in the middle of the open kitchen.

It felt like having front-row seats to a culinary performance. We watched the cooks press tortillas from freshly nixtamalised heirloom maize, grill meats, assemble tacos with astonishing speed and precision, and keep the whole operation running like a perfectly choreographed dance. As an apology for the wait, we were treated to complimentary tequila, and the head waiter took the time to answer all our questions. He enthusiastically explained the different native varieties of corn they use and how important they are Mexican culinary tradition. Talk about a dining experience!

And then came the food. It was absolutely sensational. If yesterday's tacos had already impressed me, tonight's completely blew me away. Every bite showcased just how much difference exceptional ingredients and meticulous craftsmanship can make. It wasn't just one of the best taco meals of the trip—it was one of the most memorable dining experiences I've ever had.Read more