Pujol

An incredible architectural space in Polanco with a stunning, minimalist atmosphere. The highlight was definitely the iconic Mole Madre, Mole Nuevo—the depth of flavor in the aged mole is unforgettable. The baby corn with chicatana ant mayo was also a unique, delicious starter. However, the service felt a bit rushed and transactional for a restaurant of this caliber, and a couple of the mid-courses lacked punch. It is absolutely worth visiting once for the culinary history and artistry, but it comes with a steep price tag.

My party of 10 people had a wonderful experience at Pujol. We took advantage of their “private dining room” which was removed enough from the restaurant to feel private but not too far removed that we didn’t feel separated from the action. The restaurant is beautiful, from the moment you walk in. The attention to detail sings with every piece of furniture as well as its plates of food. Every dish was interesting and told a story. The staff did a great job explaining every ingredient and making sure we felt satisfied with each dish. Even the drinks felt unique and I was able to ask the waiter to surprise me with “something i’ve never had before” multiple times. Overall, Pujol provided us a two Michelin star experience and it felt worth it in every way.

Full and honest review: We wanted to love Pujol so much and have been looking forward to this visit for years. However, it was a total disappointment. It feels like the restaurant has completely given up on excellence and is only milking the name. It is beyond my understanding how it can be awarded a single Michelin star. Out of 9 dishes, only 1 was great (the famous mole), 2 were nice (baby corn and almond soup) and the other 6 were either forgettable (prawn tamales, clotted milk tamales) or straight up on a level between 7/11 (flan dessert) and a mediocre street vendor (fish main, chicken main, guava dessert). The mains and the desserts were the biggest let-downs. But the most concerning was actually the taco sauces. From a place like Pujol, we expected nothing short of the best, as the sauce seems to be the heart and pride of Mexican cuisine. Literally every sauce from any other taco place we've been to was more refined or more flavorful. The menu was also very heavy. Both we and our neighboring tables did not finish some dishes, which is crazy considering the price point. Our waiters didn't speak English very well so we could not understand the explanation of the dishes. All of this sounds exaggerated but this is how we felt. I'm not even angry, just honestly reviewing.

Overall, we had a very good experience here. The location in Polanco is very convenient, the atmosphere is calm and refined, and the service was excellent. We did the six-course menu, and our server, Suriel, was wonderful throughout the meal- attentive, knowledgeable, and great at explaining each course, including the ingredients and preparation of the sauces. My favorite dish was the baby corn with insects (If I remember correctly, I think it’s grasshoppers) in the first course, absolutely delicious. Not every course was to my taste, and while I can appreciate why the famous mole is so well known, it wasn’t my personal favorite. Still, I thought the experience as a whole was worthwhile. Lunch for two took about 2 1/2 hours, so this is better suited for a relaxed lunch rather than a quick meal. We also received a lovely dessert on the house at the end for our anniversary, which was a nice touch. I wouldn’t necessarily highly recommend it to everyone based on the food alone, but for the service, atmosphere, and overall experience, I’m glad we went.