Saturday, February 15, 2014

the birthplace of tequila

I find it disappointing how often cosmopolitanism doesn't represent that which is 'cultured', or 'worldly', or better yet, 'open minded'. Still we continue to use it so frequently, and with such vigor. Paris is cosmopolitan. New York is cosmopolitan. Guadalajara... ? The hierarchal distinction was on my mind a lot while visiting family in rural Mexico. As per usual, I blame my thesis research :).
Anyway. I've been back in the city of haute cuisine for a mere four days now, and I'm already craving street-side tacos; preferably the ones my parents and I stopped for on our way to "the city" (as my dad called it) over two weeks ago. Gosh those were good. Then again, I also recall being excited to be in Guadalajara as I enjoyed their deliciousness. Not because, as my mom argued, we've flown in and out dozens of times without having ever seen it, but rather because tenía ganas for a cosmopolitan dining experience.
Both of our bratty desires were appeased in our last 24 hours in Mexico. With the preloaded directions on my iPhone, I directed my dad to Perla Central, a cool boutique hotel my mom had booked last minute. Then, we walked to the historic center, took a bus tour, bought souvenir in Tlaquepaque, happy hour-ed with corn, queso, guacamole, and margaritas, and eventually, dined at Cocina 88.
Dinner was exquisite. Soon after arriving at the "turn-of-the-century mansion", a server came by our table and asked us to follow him. We chose a catch-of-the-day (for my mom and me) and a cut of beef (for my dad) from a butcher case. Next, we selected a wine straight from their wine cellar; our first Mexican wine. The live music began just as our appetizers arrived. The lime soup, in particular, was amazing. The singer and band were as well. After eating our meals, we sat there with coffee/tea just to keep listening.
"What a day", I reflected as we drove to the airport the following morning. We spent such a short amount of time well. The contrast of traditional and contemporary, wealth and... not, was incredible. It reminded me of How Tacos Explain Mexico's Labor Market.
In Mexico, it seems you are where you eat. Mexico City’s young professionals dine at a mix of modern, formal restaurants and old-school informal street stands. Investors are opening a new wave of world-class restaurants in many neighborhoods in Mexico’s capital city, targeting the growing budgets of the city’s upwardly mobile young professionals. But the formal economy isn’t robust enough to provide jobs for the entire workforce. Like meat in an over-stuffed taco, many people don’t fit into the formal sector and fall out to the sidelines.
I'm no expert of economics, but this trip and my research has me questioning so, so much. Tequila originated in the state of Jalisco for which Guadalajara is the capital. It's consumed all over the world. I happen to love it. But, tequila isn't comparable to wine. One is more respected than the other. And I suppose craft beer falls somewhere in the middle? Cosmopolitan food for thought maybe.

12 comments:

  1. It looks cosmopolitan enough for me! I would happily take a little luxe with a side of guacamole and tequila :)

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  2. I love all of this. What a lovely vacation. And all of these shots of Mexican food are making my mouth SERIOUSLY water. That is the one thing I truly miss having access to. (I see you have a "how to enjoy mexican in paris" post -- will take a look now) I made chicken molé tacos yesterday but the tortillas weren't right so it changed the taste.

    So are you back?!

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    1. It was, it was. And yes, I miss Mexican food most here, too. Would love to taste-test your tacos, because I am back! :)

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  3. Trying real Mexican food is a dream of mine, so your pictures are like ... not anything like it at all, but I wish they were.

    I see where you're coming from with the cosmopolitan thing, but I wish we respected "artesenal" things like tequila. Just listened to an NPR podcast on mezcal, and its role in saving a village: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/01/24/265708532/episode-512-can-mezcal-save-a-village I wish THAT could be considered cosmopolitan too.

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    1. I hope you have a chance to enjoy Mexican food in Mexico. There's nothing like it!

      I, too, wish we respected tequila and mezcal to the same degree that we do other crafted beverages. I intended to challenge the widely accepted fact that one is better (/more cosmopolitan) than the other with this post. An accepted truth doesn't equate fact. I'm off to listen to that podcast. Thanks SO much for sharing!

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  4. Where is your bag from? (In the final picture with your parents.) That's gorgeous! Please tell me where I can find one:)

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    1. Thanks, anonymous! I love it because it's simple and just big enough. (Un)fortunately I bought it last summer at Marshalls Shoes, and I'm pretty sure they change their selection frequently. I can't find a name brand on their either! (<--probably appealing to me at the time of purchase). Sorry I can't be of more help.

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    2. Aw man, one of those lucky purchases, then! It's seriously gorgeous- glad you found it!

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    3. Thank you :) wish I could've made your good fortune happen, too!

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  5. Realllyyyy interesting post. I never thought about it this way. I guess it represents the stranglehold Western/Euro-centric ideals have over us. Thanks for the thought \-provoking start to the day!

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    1. I'm glad you think so! I can't get it off my mind now :)

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