RAÍCES Cocina de Autor — Restaurant in Oaxaca

Go now. The New York Times is due for another article about Huatulco, and they for sure will “discover” this place, and then you’ll have to make reservations weeks in advance. We had the small restaurant mostly to ourselves early yesterday evening. Memorable in all ways—romantic atmosphere, warm service. And OMG the food. We shared creamy ceviche with grapefruit and the catch of the day appetizer—never did figure out what the fish was, but it was exquisite served with thinly sliced watermelon and onions. They made the chili sauce for us at the table gratis (it’s not on the menu). We ordered the guacamole, which was also prepared at the table. For mains we had the crisp-tender grilled octopus and also the delicately smokey tres moles, served with pounded chicken breasts rolled up with stuffing. Oh, and to drink we tried the elegantly simple mescalitas with lime. We were blown away by the combinations of ingredients and the explosions of flavor in all the dishes. Everything was so carefully planned and prepared. Beautiful dip of red chili salt on the cocktail rim. Globe glasses for water infused with rosemary. Massive square tray with all the chili sauce ingredients arranged in tiny bowls. So many choices! We went with green and red with all the trimmings (especially recommend the sesame seeds and grasshoppers). The garnishes were gorgeous. The octopus was served on a local fruit purée poured in a shallow circle framed with yellow petals—a perfect rendering of a sunflower. The tres moles came in tiny bowls made from hollowed out gourdes set atop woven basket stands to keep them from spilling! It was intimate and inventive—immaculate special in every way. They even accommodated my husband’s gluten intolerance with both knowledge and flexibility. This is next level dining in La Crucecita. Moreover, transplanted to Paris, New York, or anywhere you were lucky enough to find it, Raises Cocina de Autor would be a standout. Like I said at the...

Real shame. The first time we went, it was great, but they've very quickly let their standards slip. We arrived and they said that they didn't have any tables outside, so they put us in a weird space next to the kitchen with dirty armchairs. Ok, we asked if they could let us know if a table outside became available. They said they would. We ordered our starters and main, then waited an hour. No exaggeration. Eventually, we asked for at least some tortillas or something, as they'd come and done the salsa making demo and given us nothing to try it with. We had to ask the kitchen staff because our waiter was basically ignoring us. Finally, the starter came (a salad, really shouldn't have taken long). No apology or anything. We ate it, by this time, pretty hungry, tired and annoyed. Then I went outside to the toilet. Tables galore, no-one had advised us. I didn't even ask, as by this time we felt embarrassed to keep bothering them to do their jobs. Ate our mains and got out as quickly as possible. Honestly, the worst dining experience we've had in Huatulco in 3 years of living here full time. I'm not a complainer but this...

We walked past Raices after lunch at Grillo Marinero, just down the street. We were struck by the sophisticated and contemporary restaurant design and decided to return at night for a cocktail and a snack. We sat in the open air area by the bar; ceiling fans kept us comfortable. Each table has its own touch-adjustable light, a nice attention when so many Crucecita restaurants struggle with adequate and/or cheerful lighting at night. There are also more formal tables inside with air-conditioning. Table settings are high quality and plating is impressive. Service is attentive and helpful.

The margarita was very good and there is an excellent selection of special drinks. The menu is mostly fusion Oaxaca ingredients, but there's also a "smashed burger" with yellow cheese to neet the needs of less adventurous tourists. We shared the shrimp with chapulines mayonnaise and esquites. The kitchen kindly divided the order on two plates.

The bar area is a great place to relax and wind down at the end of the day in an attractive space. Raices also has an innovative...