Chavela’s

Ordering guacamole may be a reflex for many, but at Chavela’s, what lands on the table is far from the norm. Mexico City native Chef Arturo Leonar is the brains behind this exceptional riff, which mixes smoked trout, pico de gallo, and morita chile salsa to thrilling effect. His creativity even extends to other dishes, like taquitos de cangrego with sweet crabmeat and spicy salsa verde, as well as tamales with pork short rib and hoja santa with green mole Oaxaqueño sauce. Traditionalists may rest easy, as the subtly sweet mole coating chicken and enchiladas alike is bound to delight. Featuring a wrought-iron entrance door, the décor here is an absolute riot of color thanks to vibrant Mexican tiles surrounding the bar and artistic touches like that wall of ceramic butterflies.