Chef Francisco “Paco” Ruano of Guadalajara eatery Alcalde on Avenida Mexico has been singled out as “One to Watch” in the annual list of Latin American Top 50 Restaurants sponsored by S. Pellegrino and Aque Panna.

I would highly recommend that you enjoy this unique restaurant which provides a quiet retreat right in the middle of downtown Ajijic.

Both Guadalajara branches of the restaurant Goa, one a half block from Avenida Chapultepec and the other in the slightly more outlying Jardines del Bosque area, are fairly well established in this city.

Just look at this restaurant’s logo, “Pho Chef, Vietnamese Cuisine” (in English, Spanish and Vietnamese), and check its location (Guadalajara’s popular and homespun shopping district, Santa Teresita) and you would guess that this eatery might offer a unique, international experience.

Chiles en nogada consists of poblano chiles filled with picadillo (a mixture usually containing shredded meat, aromatics, fruits and spices) topped with a walnut-based cream sauce, called nogada, and pomegranate seeds, giving it the three colors of the Mexican flag: green for the chili, white for the nut sauce and red for the pomegranate. 

The rich spiciness and variety of Thai food is an exciting dining option that is close at hand and ready to enjoy.