Meson del Olivo - OAXACA DE JUÁREZ

I visited this restaurant a rainy Sunday afternoon. Since I was not particularly hungry, I ordered a salad and a beer. My beer came with a small plate of olives and later on a free Bruschetta. The salad was one of the most beautiful I've ever had, because such a simple thing was extremely memorable and I will definitely make one at home. I returned with a friend a few days later when I insisted we had to eat there. The owner is extremely welcoming and the service is perfect: polite, efficient, friendly, but not intrusive. During my second visit, my friend and I shared two dishes, one of which was the paella was absolutely delicious and perfect for sharing. Once again we received a small free plate. The place itself is small, home and very comfortable, I stumbled over it due to a sign on the pavement and you have to go on a long passage to reach the small terrace style inside it could easily be missed, but it is worth finding the small effort, only from the main square in the city. I will definitely return to Oaxaca and this restaurant. It was one of the most beautiful I was in Mexico for the warmth of welcome, the standard of food and service.

As you can see, we came here last year and loved it so much we came back for more. The place is not finished yet, and the address given above differs from what is on the business card No. 312 C. Our first visit we had home-hardened ham with tomatoes bruschetta and then a rib-eye steak with roasted potatoes and garlic tomatoes. The desert was a piece made at home bread, dipped in vanilla and cinnamon flavored milk, roasted and served with ice cream. It was all very delicious. We returned a few days later to the fried pig, which was fantastic and so much even I could not manage the desert. Javier is passionate about his food and we love to come here.

I called the owner three times to confirm and supplement the reservation. Both my book guides recommended this Spanish-Oaxacan restaurant and I wanted dinner as a thank you for two Mexican friends who were instrumental to my three-week stay in... Oaxaca so unforgettable. The owner never mentioned that he had changed locations a few weeks before, so that all ten of us showed up at the previous address. It took 1/2 hour to go to the new place we went several times because of the bad temporary signs. When we finally came to the new room that had not yet been renovated, the owner said that it was our own fault not to ask about the place when we made the reservation. Every aspect of dinner was slow on arrival even by there was only another occupied table. My friends ordered a fish dish. When they complained that the sauce was too salty, the owner said that the cause was not salt, but the taste of the cheese in it. They tasted the cheese and stayed in their observation, but the owner did not make any excuses or offers to replace the order. My tortilla espanola was of the wrong texture and taste, and I know this lived in Spain from five years. We ordered lemonade and Sangria with filled water, no ice, and they were made with tap water and ice from tap water. Overall, the whole evening was a disaster, and only the positive attitude of our party was to redeem it.

We thought in Meson del Olivo was an afternoon snack on a rainy afternoon. We love the bar upstairs and thought we should try the restaurant. We were not disappointed. The owner came to meet us and recommend a mixed sausage dish with vegetables... and it was incredible! We liked it so much that we came to dinner the next day and had the best Kabrito I ever had! It was slowly roasted and tender fork and the sauce was delicious! The food is simply amazing - they make their own sausage in the house and have a good wine selection. We're definitely going back!

We stumbled upon Meson del Olivo purely by accident and decided to give it a try. The menu is a mix of Spanish and Oaxacan-inspired dishes. Our waiter did very well to describe the dishes that we were not familiar with. We ordered two of...the fish dishes which turned out to be very good choices. The pescado al ajillo, although a bit on the salty side, was still delicious and a plate that I would order again. Even tastier was the negrillo con cilantro. The cilantro sauce that was served over the fish was absolutley delicious. Served with potatoes, local mushrooms, and rice, this was a meal anyone would be satisfied with. The chef/owner Olivo came to our table to see if we were satisfied with our dinners. He expained how the negrillo was a new dish on his menu and one that he added particular chilis to to put it into the category of the Oaxacan-inspired dishes. I believe he was very successful in his attempt to do so. The evening ended with another chat with Olivo and a description of his various ham and pork preparations. Most dishes on the menu were reasonably priced at around $200 MEX. From what I could see at the other tables, there are many more tasty dishes to try on future visits to the restaurant. From food quality to service, we were very pleased with our experience at the Mason del Olivo. As the dishes are prepared to order, plan to take your time over some beer or wine and good company while you wait for food prepared especially for you. I believe that you'll find the wait worthwhile.