When you walk into La Condesa, it feels as if you’re walking into a vibrant neighborhood gathering… great music, beautiful space adored with clever art, and a room full of engaged people with colorful food and drink. What it promises is exactly what owners Sergio Romero and Cesar Perez intended when they opened in March 2022—to model the La Condesa area in the southwest of central Mexico City. Here, tree-lined avenues, art deco buildings, and cutting-edge shops/restaurants give life to the chic people that inhabit it.
“What makes La Condesa unique is our commitment to providing an exceptional blend of food, art, and music from around the world, creating a diverse and vibrant dining experience,” says chef and co-owner Sergio Romero. “We are also incredibly grateful to our friends Ivette Valenzuela and Federico Lopez for allowing us to showcase their amazing artwork throughout the space, which adds to the unique ambiance of La Condesa Eatery.”
Although it’s plain to see the Mexican-inspired influence (a nod to the owners’ roots), La Condesa offers a wide variety of cuisine including elevated pizza, pasta, meat-heavy dishes like a Black Angus Rib Eye and burgers, as well as carefully crafted vegan-friendly entrees like Tacos Mushrooms Al Pastor. It’s one of those menus where you may have a difficult time deciding, and (if you’re like me) take notes on what you’d order next time, already planning a return for all the food left untasted.
If I could write 500 words about one of the newest menu additions: the cauliflower aquachile, I would. Think spicy, complex, bright, and literally finger-licking good. In addition to flavorful appetizers, there are several distinct menu items including the Gnocchi Al Cilantro, which features Parmesan gnocchi, avocado, braised spinach, chorizo, and shaved pecorino, as well as the Pear and Applewood Smoked Cheese Pizza.
Another favorite is the Chopped Thai Salad, which was unexpected, but again well-thought out with kale, cabbage, basil, mint, cilantro, cashews, shaved root vegetables, mango, sweet peppers, avocado, sesame seeds, and a not-too-sweet Thai peanut vinaigrette. As far as what the chef recommends…
“When it comes to my favorite items on the menu, it’s a tough choice, but I highly recommend our Spanish octopus, tuna ceviche, and any of our tacos, which are always crowd-pleasers, says Romero. “For drinks, I absolutely love the Tamarindo Rush, and nothing beats a margarita on a hot summer day!”
And if you’re not a drinker, don’t let the cocktail menu overwhelm, the bartenders can make nearly any drink non-alcoholic, no problem.
Between the continual flow of people celebrating life, anniversaries, and birthdays; as well as the large patio, fresh vibe, photogenic food, and ode to tequila and mezcal (take a peak on the spirits menu and in the back room), La Condesa is a spot tucked away, but well-cherished. And, it’s ready to be discovered.
“We want to express our gratitude to our community for their support throughout this journey [of opening a restaurant],” says Romero. “It truly means the world to us!”
La Condesa Eatery
1642 S. Wells Ave., Reno
Lacondesaeatery.com
“The beautiful interior you’ve seen in photos is inspired by our vision to create an inviting atmosphere.”