The Phantom Gourmet… Reviews Without Reservations

Antaño Cuatro Restaurante

You know as soon as you step inside, this is old-world eighty-plus-years, according to Señora Alejandra, the owner who was raised in this very house. Son, Juan Francisco keeps things running smoothly along with head waiter Gabriel. Chef’s Leo and Blanca serve up auténticas, hand-made corn tortillas, guacamole with all sorts of original Mexican food, together with silky eggs Benedict, shrimp salad, ribs, corn and mashed potatoes, grilled salmon and rib eye steak. Bartender Paulina shakes up clásicas margaritas only 110mxn and flower, hibiscus or passion fruit margaritas just 130mxn, delicious! Opposite Paprika on Ancha de San Antonio. 

Open for breakfast & lunch 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m., closed Tuesdays, with dinner Thursday, Friday & Saturday; special 2x1 Happy Hour 6:30p.m.-7:30p.m. with live music on Fridays. Google has nothing but rave reviews by both locals and expats. And the Phantom Gourmet isn’t far behind with Four Silver Spoons for being ‘aesthetically different, as in real, great value, genuinely friendly’ and what you hope for when dining out, consistently good food in a lovely relaxing Mexican casa.

Il Mercatino di Bella Italia

Owned and operated by the Bizzotto family, María, Manager Paola and Executive Chef Jerónimo. Only the freshest ingredients for everything: beef carpaccio, fettuccini with cuatro quesos, salmon and fruta del mar, soft as butter veal scallopini (limon or marsala), lasagna de carne, and wood-fired pizzas. Postres a plenty. Open 1:00p.m.-9:00p.m. , closed on Wednesdays & note: will be closed from June 2 - 12 for the summer. We haven't had it all, but been twice...when you need to get your Italian on, outside of Centro, this is one of those restaurants you say “why has it taken so long to discover this place.” 

Head waiters, Juan & Chema offer quiet, anticipatory service at every turn. The Phantom Gourmet excitedly awards Four Silver Spoons for, ‘pleasing the palate and senses’. Buon appetito! 

Silveyras Restaurant

When you have a family-owned and operated dining establishment, whether high-end or just good old comfort food, chances are it’s going to be good, because they are invested and as a result, the love of cooking from scratch and serving others just shines through. I can hear Guy Fieri of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, saying, “it’s out of bounds!” Katz NYC Deli owner, Alan Dell raved about his family breakfast when here recently. Generational recipes from Rubén’s piled high, biscuits & gravy, Vietnamese salads, onion rings the size of bicycle tires, quesadillas divorciadas, fried steak, and cinnamon buns with more icing than Mount Everest. Something for everyone served up with free refills (except alcohol) and buckets of love. Keli, her husband, Rubén, and their kids say, “You’re not a guest, you're family.” The Phantom Gourmet happily awards Silveyra’s Four Silver Spoons... as in ‘aesthetically different (in a way that gives pleasure ) time and time again’. 

Marulier Cafe 

Opened in October 2017, is still going strong. A pastry and bakery counter to the extreme. A cross between traditional Mexican offerings and European classics like Croquet, Madame y Monsieur, petit fours, and tasty smoothies, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and frothy cappuccinos. As popular with local Mexicans as expats. This street-side cafe beckons one in to sit and chat (no alcohol license) and watch the world go by on Ancha, next to Mercado Sano. The Phantom Gourmet sees Three Silver Spoons and a tremendous number of happy smiling customers here. 

Luna de Queso

“Do what you love” is evocative of this local favorite hangout with locals and expats alike. Restaurant, deli, bakery. Smoked trout on salad greens. Smoked salmon cream cheese & onion bagels, pastries, and smoothies. Cornbeef Reuben with swiss cheese and sauerkraut thinly sliced on rye. Hibiscus margs, tomato soup & grilled cheese on sourdough. Half a dozen visits and yes, a place you’ll have on your favorites too. Closed Sundays. Full Bar. Mondays & Tuesdays 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 8:00a.m.-10:00p.m. dinner. Luna de Queso has two concepts; in the morning and afternoon it's a lovely café that offers fresh and healthy food.

In the evenings from Wednesday to Saturday, they morph into more of a fine-dining experience Celia-Cenaduría led by Chef Jonathan Cuevas, a young chef with a rising star career. This is one of those places you put on your 'Oh, let's go there'. Four Silver Spoons from the Phantom Gourmet - always pleasing!