Axiote

Named for the bright-red paste made from numerous spices that’s used as a rub in southern Mexico (the intense color comes from the achiote seed), Axiote abides by a simple rule: It uses only Mexican ingredients in the dishes it prepares according to cutting-edge culinary technology. That rule translates into a gourmet experience like few others. Unique options such as octopus dressed in Mesoamerican huitlacoche (corn smut) and recado negro (a smoky-spicy black sauce) make up the small menu and daily specials, alongside a host of chefs’ scrumptious inventions. The restaurant’s simple interior, which combines contemporary and rustic style, appropriately takes a backseat to the incredible cuisine.