Gayle Brennan Spencer – sending random thoughts to and from South Austin
Oaxaca. The colors. The skies. Constant celebrations. The flavors. The people. Blooms bursting forth. Ever-present protests. And incredibly comfortable climate during the months when El Norte can be cold and dreary.
Always welcoming.
Continue reading “Postcard from Oaxaca, Mexico: Hasta la proxima”
Above: Guava mole with shrimp and battered cauliflower at Levadura de Olla
Thalía Barrios Garcia is young, 27 years old, yet she has worked her way from a small Oaxacan village to own two widely acclaimed restaurants in the historic center of the state capital. One, Cocina de Humo, is intimate, providing a chance to observe traditional methods of cooking, but you need to make a reservation in advance. So we tried her Levadura de Olla instead.
Tomatoes. The gorgeous display of heirloom tomatoes immediately announces produce is important here. And a woman kept busy flipping fresh tortillas you know are made the ancient way, from dried corn boiled down with ash, nixtamal.
Continue reading “Postcards from Oaxaca, Mexico: Restaurant Alphabet Vol. II from Le to Tacos”
Above: Zandunga chicken at La Biznaga
We’ve been visiting Oaxaca off and on for several decades, yet never tire of the food. For some arbitrary reason, or maybe so as not to appear arbitrary, I’m going to offer up a menu of restaurants in alphabetical order spread over two volumes.
Our first rental on this trip was next door to a new rooftop restaurant and bar that packed people in at night. We went up for lunch though and found Agavero Cocina y Bebidas a rather peaceful outdoor space.
Continue reading “Postcards from Oaxaca, Mexico: Restaurants from the letter A through Las”
Postcards from Barton Springs 