"Yes, you can do a tasting menu at Sazón, a downtown Mexican restaurant. But going a la carte is the better move because it lets you play mole matchmaker. If your heart is set on beef or lamb, set it up with some heat from the mole coloradito made with guajillo and arbol chiles. The mole Santa Fe has a bit of sweetness from apricots, roasted pecans, and white chocolate, which also complements the heavier proteins. Meanwhile, the tomatillo-forward mole verde tastes a bit brighter and goes nicely on vegetables, chicken, or fish. Just don’t get too lost in the (mole) sauce that you forget to try the Sopa de Amor, a poblano cream base with blue crab and beef tenderloin. Cocktails here are just as excellent—we like The Homegrown, a paloma-esque drink made with sotol, which isn’t as common the further you get from the Rio Grande." - Nina Katz