Mexico DF

Contributor

Citysearch

The Scene
A far cry from the taquerias and downscale eateries which make up the lion's share of Mexican establishments in SF, Mexico DF strikes a balance between simplicity and elegance. Black ductwork and a matching exposed ceiling help make the space seem larger than it is. A communal table, split by a support girder and lit by a wrought-iron chandelier, is the room's centerpiece. The open kitchen, rimmed by bar seating and topped by a cherry-red awning, is also an attention-getter.

The Food
The guacamole classico (with serrano chile, cilantro and cherry tomatoes) and the ahi tuna ceviche (with orange, mint avocado and radish salpicon) get things rolling, helped capably by a respectable margarita list. (In particular, the polanco and the tepito offerings--specialty versions are named for various Mexico City neighborhoods--are quite solid choices.) Entree-wise, carne a la tampiquena (grilled steak) is accompanied by chiles and mole, while a roasted dourade is served whole.

Hits: Service is friendly and knowledgeable. One side never arrived, but didn't show up on the bill, either--and margarita recommendations were spot-on.

Misses: The kitchen can be uneven. While the aforementioned dourade was a revelation--perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor--the guacamole, which should be a signature dish, needed more life and the ceviche, while tasty, was a bit overwhelmed by oil.