"The chefs Cristian and Karen De Leon, who wowed the Cities with their acclaimed gas station taco stand, El Sazon, debuted their third restaurant in January — Xela’s by El Sazon in Stillwater. The menu offers modern interpretations of Mayan cuisine, blending Cristian’s Guatemalan heritage with Karen’s Mexican background by using Indigenous ingredients like corn, beans, squash, and cocoa, as well as traditional chiles and spices like achiote and the chef’s expertise in French technique to inform the offerings. The tidy menu features artfully plated dishes traditional to the Mayan world, including a sikil pak — a Yucatán regional dish made with a black bean puree; cochinita pibil with pork shank and achiote paste; and a tuna ceviche featuring recado negro, which De Leon has compared to mole from Mexico. The dining area gives mellow, but modern vibes with neutral tones and woodwork that help to soften the aesthetic of the space. Make reservations on Tock." - Serena Maria Daniels
