Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/1541556
P H OTO BY DAV I D B E N H A I M / R E A DY G O P I C T U R E S ( B A R R AG A N ) ; A N A LO R E N Z A N A ( M A S A L A Y M A I Z ) ; C O U R T E S Y O F M U S EO S O U M AYA / F U N DAC I Ó N C A R LO S S L I M H E LU ; AQ UA Z Z U R A , V H E R N I E R , B R U N E L LO C U C I N E L L I , F E R R AG A M O WHAT TO PACK D I N N ER AN D. . . -- quieter Las Alcobas which translates to the alcoves, in the posh, tree-lined neighborhood of Polanco, instead. With interior design by famed duo Yabu Pushelberg, the jewel-box hotel features 35 contemporary rooms and suites outfitted in rich hardwood, woven leather, and marble. Complimentary minibar goodies (think Mexican tamarind candies, chili-flecked dried mango, and local chocolate) are a thoughtful touch. A seasonally driven restaurant, Anatol, which attracts as many locals as it does travelers, and the on-site Aurora Spa (try the Mayan Healing Ritual featuring mud from a crater in the Yucatan Peninsula) round out the offerings. AFTERNOON Art appreciation A short ride from the hotel is the glittering Museo Soumaya, encased in 16,000 hexagon-shaped mirrored aluminum tiles and housing the immense art collection of telecom mogul Carlos Slim Helú. Once inside, ogle works spanning from pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica to European impressionism to 20th century Mexican artists. Don't miss the substantial collection of Rodin sculptures either: Slim Helú's late wife, for whom the museum is named, had a particular admiration for the French sculptor. EVENING Flavor bomb Inventive dishes await at Masala y Maíz, in the Cuauhtémoc neighborhood. Recently awarded a Michelin Star, the concrete-clad restaurant skillfully melds Indian, Mexican, and East African culinary traditions, a reflection of chef-owners Saqib Keval and Norma Listman's own cross-cultural marriage. Dig into the infladita chaat, a puffed hollow tortilla filled with beans, potatoes, and beets, drizzled with tangy chutneys, and garnished with Mexican herbs. Other standouts are the sweet-and-spicy chile relleno stuffed with tender eggplant and greens, and a spicy Balchao mussels. Wash it all down with the aromatic Rooh Afza, made with tequila blanco, Campari, pineapple, and rosewater. Museo Soumaya Day MORNING Lay of the land Join a private tour with Context Travel for a crash course in Mexican history as you walk about Zócalo, the city center. Learn about ancient Aztec rituals and daily life at the Templo Mayor ruins (once the main temple of the Aztec empire when the city, built on a lake, was known as Tenochtitlan). Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, the first to be built in the Americas after the Spanish arrived. Finish at the stunning and much- photographed Palacio de Bellas Artes, which features several breathtaking murals in its upper stories, including Diego Rivera's controversial Man, Controller of the Universe. The thought-provoking mural depicts a central figure at a crossroads, contemplating scientific progress alongside the competing forces of capitalism and socialism. The Casa Luis Barragán museum, the architect's former residence and studio Balchao mussels at Masala y Maíz AQUAZZURA Alexa slingbacks AQUAZZURA BRUNELLO CUCINELLI double-breasted reversible shearling jacket BRUNELLO CUCINELLI BRUNELLO CUCINELLI twill Flute skirt FERRAGAMO knee-high boots FERRAGAMO VHERNIER Abbraccio ring BALHAR B O U RSH O P S .CO M