Fonda El Refugio, for Traditional Mexican Food (Mexico City; tel. 55/5207-2732): This elegantly casual place prepares specialties from all over the country, including manchamanteles ("tablecloth stainers") on Tuesday and albóndigas en chile chipotle (meatballs in chipotle sauce) on Saturday.
El Estribo, for Premium Tequilas (Mexico City; tel. 55/5281-4554): No longer is tequila relegated to salt-and-lime shooters; it's gaining recognition for its unique properties and subtle taste variations. Premium-tequila tastings are the rage, and El Estribo is among the best of places for sampling. It offers more than 480 types, most of which are 100% blue agave, the mark of a fine tequila.
El Sacromonte, for Artful Alta Cocina (Guadalajara; tel. 33/3825-5447): Various dishes delight the senses with novel tastes and textures and skillful presentation. The menu describes each dish in Spanish haiku -- a fun topic for conversation over an aperitif.
El Mirador, for Margaritas (Acapulco; in the Hotel Plaza Las Glorias; tel. 800/342-AMIGO in the U.S.): You can enjoy a great margarita at many places in Mexico, but this is the only one that serves them with a view of the spectacular La Quebrada cliff divers.
El Naranjo, for Oaxacan Cuisine (Oaxaca; tel. 961/514-1878): Oaxacan cooking is a wonderful regional variety, and I am delighted by what El Naranjo does with it. Each day offers a different mole in addition to several uncommon dishes. This is a wonderful place for throwing caution to the wind -- the owner is meticulous about cleaning and sterilizing foods.
100% Natural, for Liquados: Liquados, drinks made from fresh fruit mixed with water or milk, are much more popular than soft drinks. This restaurant chain offers the widest selection, including innovative mixtures like the Cozumel (spinach, pineapple, and orange) and the Caligula (orange, pineapple, beet, celery, parsley, carrot, and lime juices)--a healthy indulgence. Branches in Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, and Cancún.
Mariscos Villa Rica Mocambo, for Fresh Seafood, Veracruz Style (Veracruz; tel. 229/922-2113): Nobody else does seafood the way Veracruz does seafood, and this restaurant captures the character of the region's cooking.
