La Catrina de Alcala ranks amongst the city’s finest restaurants, rather unusual since most other restaurants within two blocks of the Oaxaca’s zocalo manage to get by with cafeteria-style atmosphere, mariachis and marimbas, and mediocre food. But owner/artist Rolando Rojas took the plunge, and the gamble has paid off: both quality Oaxacan, and unique continental fare in a tasteful courtyard setting, in the heart of the Centro Historico.
Tags: Atmosphere, Cafeteria Style, Continental Fare, Courtyard, Heart, La Catrina, Mariachis, Mediocre Food, Oaxaca, Oaxacan, Plunge, Restaurants, Rolando
Mr. Starkman must not get out much. Just a block away from Catrina, on Reforma, is ¿Qué Lejos Estoy? – very good but more traditional Oaxaqueño foods. For something light the crepes or quesadilla huitlacoche. Exceptional staff. They give a run for the money between their limonadas and those at Café Arabia (on a corner by Parque Conzatti so several blocks from the Zócalo.). Biznaga on J.P. Garcia and several other restaurants on that same street have wonderful sit down service menus. On the Zócalo the tlayudas, molletes, etc. of Primavera are served by exceptionally friendly staff. Also on Reforma – Ché y the always written up (but not one of my favorites) La Olla. On Abosolo is Los Pacos (traditional Oaxaqueño but a bit caro). ¡Buen Provecho!