Mexican chef Martha Ortiz to open two new restaurants in DF

A few weeks ago, a little item in El Universal mentioned that Martha Ortiz Chapa is developing two new restaurants in the Mexico City. Ortiz was behind the much-heralded but now closed Aguila y Sol restaurant, which specialized in high-end Mexican cuisine. Her new projects will be part of the Las Alcobas, a chic new hotel that recently opened in Polanco.

I reached out to the folks at Las Alcobas, and they were kind enough to send me some information. Here’s what I got:

The restaurants will be called Barroco and Dulce Patria, and they’ll be be located inside the hotel at Presidente Masaryk and Anatole France. Both restaurants will “venerate Mexican gastronomic traditions.”

Barroco will offer exotic moles, tamales, and even buñuelos, throwing back to one of the greatest moments of Mexican culinary history. (Guessing the baroque age? The press release doesn’t spell it out.) Design will veer toward intimate and unpretentious, with Mexican artesanía objects on the tables. Look for it in mid-July of this year.

Dulce Patria will be more lively and colorful, with a bar serving cocktails, mezcal, tequilas, flavored Mexican raspados and other “pequeñas delicias frías.” (Love that phrase.) The food will include ceviches, tostadas, guisados colorados and aguas frescas crowned with flowers, among other items. The wine menu will also emphasize Mexican varietals. Look for it in mid-April.

I never got to try Aguila y Sol — it closed before I moved here — but I’m really looking forward to trying out Ortiz’s new ventures. Will give you a full report once they open!