On Wednesday we had a 7 course tasting w drink pairing at the tiny 6-table Teocintle Tika'aya and…read moreif there is a single place one should eat at in Oaxaca, this is it. My descriptions don't do the dishes justice as each one had 10+ ingredients - just an amazing experience!
App - guacamole, chapulin salsa and kimchi
1 - tempura squash blossom filled with huitlacoche pate and steak tartare [fermented pineapple w coconut foam] - the tempura was one of the best bites I've ever had!
2- beef tongue on a tri-colored tostada w dehydrated beets and onion puree [penicillin]
3 - shrimp aguachile cured in grapefruit w habanero chile oil [artisenal beer]
4 - cream of oyster w fried mushrooms, smoked salmon, carrot puree, squash blossom and epazote leaf chimichurri ['hanky panky']
5 - purple yam and lechon picadillo gyoza with roasted beet and peanut/almond mole [campari]
6 - poleo (mint) granita with passionfruit and hibiscus puree, beet powder and mescal foam
7 - 'ecosystem' - brownie with mushroom powder, spongecake w spinach 'chlorophyll', passionfruit gelatin, pomelo & pineapple ice, and juniper & gin foam
Our server was Lily and she was also our bartender. She did a fantastic job remembering what was in every dish and provided superb service throughout the night.
The chef here is a freaking wizard. His restaurant is Michelin recognized but I cannot understand how he didn't get a star for this...