Xitomate, Columbia

Xitomate not only brings authentic Mexican food to the table, but a celebration of Mexican culture as a whole. Amid hammered-tin star lamps and a lively Day of the Dead mural, the chefs sizzle up a menu of traditional antojitos, also known as Mexican street food. They pay homage to street food vendors with dishes such as chicken tinga tamales, pork flautas with mole chatino, and empanadas stuffed with shrimp, Chihuahua cheese, pumpkin seeds, jicama slaw, and mole verde. They also create a variety of ceviches, including a spicy combination of tilapia, shrimp, and habanero salsa, and they'll make them Xitomate style—stuffed in an avocado. Beyond street food, their specialties include platters such as salmon tikin-xic, a salmon filet marinated in achiote and citrus and served with a watermelon feta salad and cilantro rice.

They pair meals with inventive margaritas and more than 100 kinds of tequila. Their drink special introduces guests to the agave-based liquor with a flight of three tequilas produced by a single family. By sipping each in turn, diners can compare the flavors produced by different aging techniques.