China Poblano, Las Vegas

On our balls out gastro trip, this Chinese/Mexican fusion spot was another highlight. Casual and inexpensive, this fun little place, remote controlled by José Andres and located in an over the top shopping mall in the bowels of the Cosmopolitan hotel, served up consistently interesting and unpretentious food (something lacking in a lot of the other restaurants we tried, yes, Animal and Son of a Gun, I'm talking about you!). Waitstaff was courteous, friendly and well trained, and seemed to know the menu inside and out. Dishes such as Chinese BBQ pork stuffed steamed buns and Sui Mai Beef (beef/lime/daikon/watermelon radish) shone while we cared a bit less for the Viva China (beef tenderloin/Kumamoto oyster, Sichuan pepper sauce) and Silencio tacos (duck tongue and lychee)- the textures just didn't do it for us. Stars for the superb guacamole and fresh, warm tortillas.

El Nopal, Mexican taqueria in Paris

Finally a real Mexican doing food in a little take away place just shy of the Canal Saint Martin. Two ex- Disney employees (Alejandro worked there because noone else would hire him as a non-French speaker), doing burritos, tacos (handmade dough rolled through a hand cranked machine), quesadillas and friendliness. Too bad the tortillas are ready made .. they refry their own beans and do everything made to order. 

Dishes 6,50€

El Nopal, 3 rue Eugène Varlin, 75010

Chiaapas