Jea K.
Google
Creative menu, great drinks, and exceptional hospitality.
Came to Pargot on my first night in CDMX without particularly high expectations, and it ended up being one of the most memorable meals of the trip. Chef Alexis Ayala’s interpretation of Contemporary Mexican reflected a refined, “product-first” philosophy reminiscent of Californian cuisine. Essentially natural vibrancy of Mexican ingredients preserved and gently elevated rather than transformed beyond recognition. He’s not afraid to get weird with it (grasshopper XO sauce, cold clam stew), but instead of a crowded mess, every distinct ingredient was allowed to remain prominent and essential the final dish. My favorites of the evening were the Raw fish Kebbe, Clam stew, complimentary cornbread and butter, and the Sweet stuffed chili.
The Kebbe had a really interesting texture. Toasted grasshoppers mixed into the XO sauce added a brittle, shattering crunch, almost reminiscent of sekkoshi-style Korean sashimi, where the chew comes from delicate bone fragments. Clam Stew was a playful riff on chowder. Chocolate clams were meatier than what I’m used to in New England, and the broth carried subtle melon and sake notes. A scoop of corn-miso ice cream melted in slowly, which added a gentle sweetness and umami.
By the time the Sweet Stuffed Chili arrived, I had hit a wall. I managed exactly two bites before waving the white flag. One of the servers then swooped in to offer a digestif. I usually treat the whole 'digestif' concept like snake oil, but the Sotol (Flor del Desierto) he poured worked like magic. It instantly cut through the food coma and completely rewired my stance on after-dinner spirits.
It might fly under the radar for most visitors, but Pargot brings a unique, unapologetic point of view that the city's more crowded hotspots are missing. Highly recommend giving them a try.