Mexico/Nuevo Leon: Monterrey – Pangea Restaurant
Being in Monterrey, we had to check out the Pangea Restaurant which is currently holding the #14 position on the list of Top 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America. Chef Guillermo González Beristáin (who since 2015 is a judge on the panel of the reality show Top Chef Mexico) uses only local ingredients of Northern Mexico to create versions of authentic northern Mexican dishes with a touch of French influence. To be completely honest, I am not a big fan of avant-garde fusion cuisine, where dishes are over-imagined and too complicated and looks take over the taste. Luckily, this wasn’t the case at Pangea – all dishes were fantastic in both appearance and flavors and truly represented the country. We had Torres de Jitomate (Tomato Tower with local cheese and avocado) appetizer, then Tartare de Filete de Res Angus (angus beef tartar), Medio Pollo Tres Chilies (chicken prepared 3 ways), Cabrito Braseado (braised goat), and a Tres Leches desert. The restaurant itself is located in the business district in a rather modern building with minimal decor.