From the moment we arrived at Tlamanalli, the experience felt truly Michelin-star worthy. We began…read morewith a delightful welcome from the kitchen: espadín mezcal, refried beans, guacamole, orange slices, and chili-seasoned pumpkin seeds -- all on the house. For starters, we ordered two traditional soups: sopa de flor de calabaza (squash blossom soup) and sopa de nopal (cactus soup) -- both earthy, comforting, and authentically Oaxacan. We then tried three moles: mole negro (my personal favorite), segueza, a pre-Hispanic corn-based mole, and the special of the day, mole zapoteco. We finished with three desserts: tejocotes en dulce (sweetened Mexican hawthorn fruit, which I found a bit bland), flan Tlamanalli, and nieve de níspero (loquat sorbet -- delicious, and another personal favorite). To end the meal, they surprised us with chocolate de metate on the house. The service was warm and attentive, with multiple thoughtful extras -- a welcome touch you don't often find. There is clear attention to detail throughout, from the beautiful plates to the presentation of each dish. It truly feels like a home-cooked meal -- because it is. This is not a restaurant mass-producing dishes. It is run by Abigail Mendoza and her family, and each dish is cooked only after you place your order, which adds to the sense of care and intention behind every plate. If you're looking for an unforgettable culinary experience, immerse yourself in traditional Zapotec cuisine at Tlamanalli.
