Fries with mole sauce
There are only three things you need to know about Oyamel: small plates mastermind Jose Andres is the owner, so that can only mean one thing, which also happens to be the first point, that the plates are small; it’s a cocina Mexicana so don’t expect a Spanish torta; and everything is grossly overpriced.
Oh and a fourth thing, sorry, the entire menu is en espanol. Surprise!
Ceviche
The red snapper ceviche was really, really delicious, and I could have probably eaten 10 more servings of it if wasn’t $10 for two spoonfuls. Not only was the flavor there, but so was the texture — ceviche is a beautiful thing, but because it’s pickled fish, everything has a tendency to get a little rubbery. The soft avocados, crackly chicharon and crunchy onions were a textural paradise.
Pastel de chocolate con crema de Mole Poblano y helado de vanilla
The desserts are interesting and chancy. The chocolate cake was so much more than chocolate cake. The sauce had the earthiness of mole, a kick of Mexican hot chocolate, a note of dried chilies.
Come here if you want to be entranced and entertained by the food or if you have a date you want to impress. But for the love of god, don’t come here if you’re hungry, cuz you ain’t gonna get fed.
