On Saturday, I had a big, boozy fiesta at the Fonda del Recuerdo in Mexico City. The food and ambience are from Veracruz and both are great. 

After a huge plate of appetizers, we had a lot of music and some pretty lethal drinks. I was feeling no pain and helping the musicians express themselves. I'm glad there is no recorded proof.

Yes, these musicians are mariachis, more appropriate to Jalisco than Veracruz, but there was something like a Battle of the Bands and on the opposite side of the room was the more typical Jarocho music. I love it all.

At some point I had a delicious lamb mixiote, although it has a different name in Veracruz. I don't have a photo but meat and a sauce are steamed in a packet of maguey leaf paper, parchment paper or foil. The maguey leaves are rare and apparently endangered but there's a legal source if you hunt.

We made friends with the little boy at the next table. He was fasicnated and so were we!

I love eating in Mexico, in case you haven't noticed. Especially with good friends, in a large group. There's always a lot of lauughing and there's no concept of "turning ther table". You're here until you are done and you are welcome. It takes a long time and it can be loud and boozy but don't we work too hard and isn't breaking bread with loved ones the point of the whole thing? It is for me. I think the challenge is translating the experience to the American table.

I hope you have a big boozy fiesta soon!