Nice video and a nice song from well-known pop singer Natalia Lafourcade.
Natalia Lafourcade – Ella es Bonita
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La Huasteca – Lynwood, CA – Pork Chops with Mole Manchamanteles
I’ve never taken a photo of a mole that captures the deep, velvety richness that is so much part of the overwhelming experience. Manchamanteles means “table cloth stainer'” and after one glance, there’s no doubt whatsoever that it’s true. It’s one of the 7 classic moles from Oaxaca, powerful but nuanced, flavored with ancho chiles, cinnamon and cloves (and many, many other ingredients). Pineapple is the usual garnish, and the maraschino cherry was a nice touch. La Huasteca makes one of the very best manchamanteles I’ve had anywhere.
Vida Digital – Fabrizio Mejía Madrid
My rating: 4 stars
During a long night of insomnia, we join a forty-something man in what may be his mid-life crisis, or may just be an effort to come to grips with the realities of his life. Poking around on Facebook, he drifts off into a fantasy about a beautiful woman who won’t accept his friendship request. When he is unable to even bring his fantasy to a successful conclusion, we realize we’re in for some serious soul-searching. The question “what is love?” leads to an in-depth review of the thoughts of philosophers on the subject throughout history. Similarly, as the main character’s thoughts move gradually away from fantasy toward reality, he investigates such other deep questions as “what is human nature?” and “what is life?” By the end of the night, he has returned fully to reality, quite possibly in a better position to make some of the important life decisions that await him. An interesting, highly introspective literary novel, dealing bravely and imaginatively with a widely misunderstood issue.
Un hombre en sus cuarentas, ligeramente calvo, algo pasado de peso, tiene la impresión de que ha visto pasar la vida demasiado rápido y todavía no sabe qué fue lo que vio. Lo que no se le convirtió en un trauma, se le convirtió en un vicio. Ahora es un lío de heridas, miedos, inconexiones y pequeños excesos. Y ahora, en medio de tanta confusión, una joven mujer lo inquieta más de lo que está dispuesto a admitir. En una larga noche de navegación por internet, pensamientos perdidos, divagaciones y recuento existencial, trata de saber qué hacer con su vida. Quizá lo consiga, aunque el lector se ve tentado a apostar que no.
Julieta Venegas y Mala Rodríguez – Eres Para Mí
Lovely Mexican singer Julieta Venegas sings her famous song with the help of the wonderful Spanish hip hop performer Mala Rodríguez in an MTV Unplugged session. The song is great, the women are beautiful, and they’re having fun… It works really well!
Guisados Tacos – Echo Park, Los Angeles – Chicken Tinga Taco
A guisado is a stew, and that’s what Guisados uses to make their unique tacos. There’s a range of delicious, well-known dishes made from pork, chicken, beef and veggies to choose from. The tacos are small but filling, served on heavy, hand-made tortillas, with a base of black bean salsa. My friend Leili and I tried several of the selections, and my favorite was the chicken tinga, a rich stew of chicken and interesting spices.
I haven’t been to the original Boyle Heights location, but the Sunset Boulevard spot was nicely busy on a Tuesday lunch time, with a cheerful mural-decorated outdoor patio.
The website doesn’t seem to be working at the moment, but maybe it will be back by the time you read this: http://www.guisados.com
Murals – Phoenix
We found a great selection of murals in Phoenix.
Yuri – Ay Amor
A nice song by the lovely Mexican singer Yuri. She’s appearing in concert in Acapulco on July 12. I haven’t been to Acapulco for about 5 years, and I’d get on a plane right now, if I could. Great beach, delicious seafood, a fun concert… sign me up!
Barrio Cafe – Phoenix – Churros
It was the nicest presentation I’ve ever seen for churros, and they were just perfect. Still hot from the fryer, rolled in sugar and cinnamon, and drizzled with cajeta, a thick, almost chocolaty caramel sauce.
La Playita – Santa Monica – Shrimp Tacos
It’s just a little stand on Lincoln Boulevard near Rose, but I love their fresh seafood. The shrimp tacos are as simple as you can imagine, grilled shrimp, some lettuce and cilantro, and a splash of rich, spicy salsa wrapped in warm tortillas. And a dash of Tapatío, of course.
Los Cuates de Sinaloa – La Reina del Sur
The Spanish novelist Arturo Perez Reverte wrote the great Mexican novel La Reina del Sur. Hugely influenced by the novels of Sinaloan writer Elmer Mendoza, it tells the story of a how a young woman from Sinaloa came to dominate the drug trade in southern Europe, but is then drawn back to her native country for sentimental reasons. The book was a huge sensation, and was turned into a popular television series in Mexico.
Los Cuates de Sinaloa made their name by singing Corridos, or story songs. Many of their songs fall into the category of Narcocorridos, because they tell the stories of famous drug traffickers. In fact I first became aware of them from the narcocorrido they sang in the opening sequence of an episode of Breaking Bad… It seems fitting that they would sing the story of La Reina del Sur.
Bruce Critchley's Mexico Here and There 