The birthday celebration begins!

Last night, on the eve of Alejandro's birthday, I took him out for supper.  I had asked him some time ago where he wanted to eat, and he had replied without hesitation, "Angelopolitano".  "Angelopolitano" is a restaurant specializing in the cuisine of the Mexican city of Puebla.  We had been there on two previous occasions, and had found the food to be excellent.  It is located within walking distance of the apartment where I am staying, in the neighboring "colonia" of Roma Norte.

We began our meal last night by ordering a pitcher of "agua fresca" flavored with lemon and ginger.  It was very refreshing.  As a starter, we both had soup.  Alejandro had "sopa de habas", a fava bean soup which is traditional for Lent.  I had cream of "chile poblano" garnished with pecans and walnuts.

For our main course, we had two different kinds of "mole".  The word "mole" refers to a wide variety of complex sauces which are an integral part of Mexican cuisine.  We both tried something that neither one of us had tasted before... fruit "moles".  

Alejandro had chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese and apples and covered with blackberry "mole". 

I had chicken breast stuffed with cheese and brown sugar and topped with a guava "mole".

 
Both dishes were superb, and so unlike the American stereotype of Mexican food.  

We finished our meal with desert.  Alejandro had tequila flan, and I had "natillas", which is similar to "creme brule".  We both had "café de olla", traditional Mexican coffee flavored with cinnamon.

The service was excellent, and the price was not outrageous.  The entire bill was was around $55 US... a bit pricey by Mexican standards, but I can imagine what a gourmet meal like this could cost in the United States!

It was a great beginning to Alejandro's birthday celebration!!