Rosetta: Staples of the Mexican culinary scene

Rosetta exemplifies the humble coexistence between human innovation and nature

 


 

The differences in early architecture across the world cannot only be attributed to distinctions in culture—rather, the availability of certain materials, and the environment they reside in. The introduction of modern construction techniques and the widespread availability of materials by virtue of improved transportation gave birth to a standardization of sorts—hence, the towering skyscrapers of similar looks metropolises around the globe seem to contain.

Food in this regard is the same. Since time immemorial, recipes upon recipes have been developed based on what can be hunted, foraged, or grown. To put plainly, the various cuisines we’ve been introduced to were borne out of necessity. Take out the convenience of supermarkets and imports, and you’re left with what’s readily available. And if you’re burdened with immense hunger, you wouldn’t be picky.

Rosetta in Mexico City takes after this principle; their offerings depend on what is provided; a humble coexistence between human innovation and nature.

Inside Rosetta | Maureen Evans
Inside Rosetta | Photo courtesy of Maureen Evans

Rosetta was opened in 2010 by chef Elena Reygadas in the Colonia Roma mansion in Mexico City. The restaurant has established itself as a must-visit for culinary enthusiasts around the world, having been listed as 49th in “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023,” and 37th in the “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022.” Their menu is ever-changing and utilizes local and seasonal ingredients.

Chef and owner Elena Reygadas studied at the French Culinary Institute in New York prior to moving to London where she worked for four years at the restaurant Locanda Locatelli, where she trained under Giorgio Locatelli. In 2010, after her second daughter Julieta was born, she opened Rosetta.

Early on, the restaurant was heavily inspired by Italian techniques—owing to the training Reygadas was exposed to. However, this would change later on as she began to experiment with various products and methods of Mexican cooking.

“Rosetta is a restaurant where tradition is kept alive and questioned, where time flies and time stops,” an excerpt from the book Rosetta, written by Elena Reygadas, shares Rosetta via Instagram.

Here are some of my favorite dishes from Rosetta:

Rosetta’s Margarita callus with elote and hazelnut butter
Rosetta’s Pappardelle with chicken liver and
Rosetta’s Risotto with beets, radicchio, and Chiapas cheese
Rosetta’s Pork shoulder with pink mole and hoja santa
Two desserts from Rosetta- (bottom) Hoja santa and criollo white bean cacao, and (top) Lavender tres leches cake

 

Story originally from RIA RECOMMENDS

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