Upscale Dining in Mexico City

A long-time favorite of the city's gourmands, I went and found that its reputation still holds water. They have one of the best Mexican wine lists I have seen at any city restaurant and the food was fabulous. The octopus and beef ribs two of my favorites. The chef is from Baja California and so there is a lot of the peninsula's influence in his cooking.

With old school, upscale service, Casa Portuguesa is a classic in Polanco, right next to the Parque Lincoln. All the highlights of Portuguese cuisine here, I loved the whole, salted fish they debone tableside, the vino verde, and lots of other little delights on the menu.

Another location that has lasted for over 20 years, proving how excellent this Lebanese food is. This is the only Lebanese place I know that's this chic and sophisticated while still serving amazing food. The kafta! the hummus! the jocoque! the baba ganoush! Oh and the Fattoush salad!!

A long-time family restaurant, one of the first upscale places in the city, Nicos was passed down to Chef Gerardo from his mother and he has truly put this place on the map. Both unusual and traditional preparations of local culinary favorites in an old-school, classy ambiance. The rabbit, the fideos secos, and the chilaquiles are all amazing.

The first and in my opinion best restaurant from Italian chef Marco Carboni, Sartoria has an upscale, modern look and a bustling scene both inside and out. In fact the only complaint I have ever heard from any friend about this place is that it's a bit loud. All the pasta is made fresh in house, then blended deliciously with local Mexican ingredients for some of the best Italian food you will find in the city. The ample wine list is an obviously source of pride.

This might be my current favorite restaurant in the city's entire dining scene. I just love the combination of flavors and cuisines at this Singaporean place. Their menu is loyal to Signaporean food (which is already a mix of all kinds of culinary influences) but with ingredients that give a nod to their local habitat. The fish larb is to die for, the glazed pork will have you ordering another round. I don't think there is anything I don't like.

A graduate from Enrique Olvera's restaurants, Chef Mariana Villegas has put together a surprising and delicious menu of dishes that incorporate lots of local ingredients and show-off her myriad of culinary influences. The menu is very veg-forward and constantly changing with the seasonal produce.

With a category-defying menu, Imbiss is one of my favorite spots for a weeknight dinner or when someone comes to town. The dishes are always surprising, innovative, and delicious and the cocktails match them in quality and excellence.

A contemporary take on traditional Mexican dishes, don't be shy and order the tasting menu so you can sample a little bit of everything. One of the best restaurants in the Centro Historico, if you are staying in this part of the city make sure you plan a night to walk over and eat inside their historic dining room. They also feature a selection of Mexican mezcal if you need an introduction to this spirit.

Incredible regional Mexican cuisine in a sophisticated yet unfussy ambiance. I absolutely love the sweet tamal in a cheese sauce as well many, many other of their specialties. The cocktails here are also fire. I like this place for an upscale long lunch because of the indoor/outdoor vibe of the dining room, but it would be good for dinner too.

Killer gourmet seafood tacos. In particular the enchipotlada shrimp makes my heart sing! The couple that runs this place are endlessly kind and accommodating, and you can often find them sitting in the tiny dining room themselves chatting with guests. The space is teeny tiny but I like that most nights you can show up without a reservation and get in. Everything I have tried on the menu I loved including the fantastic list of house cocktails.