Cool Corners of Mexico City and Around the World

Welcome to a brand new adventure!  I begin to wander places I have always walked by and  explore what they are all about.  I hope you might find them fascinating as well!

1) La Canasta  Artres de Mexico                                        69 Cordoba   Roma Norte  Cuauhtemoc

Right around the corner from my house, passing every day, I see the gates that indicated Artists of Mexico.  Going in was well worth it.  Literally, arts that represent all parts of Mexico are represented here, and the magazine Artres de Mexico available as well.  I mean lots of collections of art, and while a small gallery,

the welcome of the ivy,  the construction of the building , as well as the overall access to La Canasta is well worth it.  La Canasta, meaning Basket, this is a basket of goods that represent youth as well as adults when it comes to art.

2) Guru  (now a Doc Marten’s store!)  Colima 143 (Córdoba), Cuauhtémoc,     DF 06700

Turn the corner from Cordoba and you will see Guru , and I have to tell you, this one is hard to explain. Imagine a Spencer’s store in the United States, only less perverted, and more artsy, and you maybe have the slight idea.  I like the fact that there is a gallery in the back of this store, and well, that it has an inflatable punching bag like I remember whenI was little.  Add to that the cool aspect that when you tun the corner of this tienda, every month there is a new painting added to the side of the tienda, sometimes with explanation, sometimes without.  Either way, an interesting find in Roma Norte and something you will not find everywhere!

3) Camino Silvestre  Tabasco No. 195 Roma Norte

An amazing house studio full of other studios – this is beautiful and amazing inside, and you will NOT, NOT want to pass this amazing studio, themed around hummingbirds, that has something for everyone, and is breathtaking and STUNNING!

4) TRoHV Home & Gift    232 Carroll St NW Washington, DC 20012 202.829.2941 Twitter: https://twitter.com/trohv

  HELLODC@TROHVSHOP.COM

I am deviating for once away from sticking to only cool corners of Mexico mainly because this was an exception, and a HUGE ONE.  As soon as I walk into this business, I knew this was something MUCH different than for average home decor and this had more personality than most establishments I have EVER seen.  Take  a mix of nostalgic typewriters, amazing collections of all sort of items from pieces of granite, and hundreds of more items that make you feel at home, all with ties to very local and artistic-related individuals.  Yes this might be opening the cool corners to establishments all over the world, but I can’t think of any business worth more worth having starting this trend.

“When you leave with something good inside, and it doesn’t necessarily mean an object in hand, than you know you have found someplace special that can’t be put into words.”

If you wanted to find a more inviting, more welcoming business, it will be a hard find to find one more inviting and warming than TRoHV Home & Gift.  As I walked in and was introduced to Angus & Julia Stone’s “Santa Monica Dream,” I realized, if I had a place I would want to frequent, it would be herewith this song, and this place.It just all fit together perfectly.

Reading the lyrics help me remember my first step into this establishment and if you’re lucky enough, you will be able to grasp something memorable about you, and your home, when you visit this very special place.

As if that was not enough, when you step outside on Wednesdays, you will see a partnership with the food truck that delivers groceries to your home or for pick up, titled, relayfoods.com,

definitely an amazing service.  One thing I have found on Takoma, there are many hand in hand companies that support each other, that seem to bring the sense of a community close to what it was meant to be.  I sense that in the lyrics of the song below I heard as I walked in, that is the kind of place I’d like to be found shopping at.

“Santa Monica Dream” Lyrics

Goodbye to my Santa Monica dream
Fifteen kids in the backyard drinking wine
You tell me stories of the sea
And the ones you left behind
Goodbye to the roses on your street
Goodbye to the paintings on your wall
Goodbye to the children we’ll never meet
And the ones we left behind
And the ones we left behind

I’m somewhere, you’re somewhere
I’m nowhere, you’re nowhere
You’re somewhere, you’re somewhere
I could go there but I don’t

Rob’s in the kitchen making pizza
Somewhere down in Battery Park
I’m singing songs about the future
Wondering where you are
I could call you on the telephone
But do I really want to know?
You’re making love now to the lady down the road
No I don’t, I don’t want to know

I’m somewhere, you’re somewhere
I’m nowhere, you’re nowhere
You’re somewhere, you’re somewhere
I could go there but I don;t

Goodbye to my Santa Monica dream
Fifteen kids in the backyard drinking wine
You will tell me stories of the sea
And the ones you left behind
And the ones we left behind

5) The Big Bad Woof, Inc. 117 Carroll St. N.W.  Washington, D.C. 20012

Being an eco-friendly business, I have been into this company severe times, and realized that there are so many variations of trays, snacks, and foods for dogs and cats here, it is AMAZING.  I picked up a brush that was alot more than I would normally spend, but was told it will benefit the undercoat of the dogs, so I am hopeful.  I understand there are lessons being given as well, but the staff was amazingly warm and welcome as always.  I love the fact that this is also on a corner in Takoma, and the ample eco-friendly supplies here for pets is one of the draws, aside from the hospitality and the service the com pay is able to provide.  Check them out on Facebook as well here.

6) Centro Budista de la Cuidad de Mexico Roma

Right on the corner of Tabasco and Jalapa, this is always a center of relaxation, classes in Yoga, and many other courses.  The building is amazing, and is the corner that is the most pleasant as I return home to Roma Norte.

7) FARMER GIRL & EXOTIC GARDENS   farmergirlgardens@verizon.net                                                                     18940 Coastal Highway  Rehoboth Beach   Delaware   19971   (302) 645 – 8398

While this location and URL is in the middle of construction, this is a GREAT find.  If you go here right after Christmas, there is a huge wall that is 50% off for cats and dogs.  However, even in the winter, when I looked throughout the mass amounts of items marked down from Christmas, you can’t but help feel you are near the beach without being there.  From the countless items that just say BEACH when you walk in, to the amazing taking birds you will see inside, to just the variety of plants you come across in the summer, this place is ideal for pets!  The staff is amazingly friendly, hdd working, and creative, and every single time I have been here in the summer, even just going past, you can’t but turn your head from the variety of all thing pets that they have!

8) Vintage Ropa – Tonala and Alvaro Obregon – 159 Alvaro Obregon

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9) Fabrica Social    67 Cordoba   Roma Norte

          

10) La Casa de Los Tesoros  Calle Aldama Altos #4  Catemaco, Veracruz  95870  lacasadelostesoros@gmail.com

Awesome shop if you are in Catemaco that works with several environmentally  friendly organizations and animal preservation organizations like at www.demtac.org

11) Art Space Mexico –  Campeche  281   Condesa   artspacemexico@gmail.com

A great almost secret but personal place for showing exhibits of art – Keep checking for new exhibits!

12) Special Effects Hair Design – Annapolis, Maryland   410.263.8266

A great place to relax and feel good about getting your total hair needs.  The inside looks like an interior decorated set, yet, the staff is great.  They do not hesitate to take time to make you feel welcome, more than the inside of this salon itself does, worth the trip absolutely!

13) Baco Boutique Madero #4  Plaza del Carmen San Angel   Tel: 67.19.04.02 Horario: jueves a domingo de 11 am – 7pm

A very artistic tienda that has some of the best tile-imitated holders for plants.  I was drawn to how these could enhance a patio or provide places for growth in usually hard to hang places.  There is so much on the classy side of creation, you will not want to miss this!

 14) All Things Store   Online – Tel:  55933904 and email contacto@allthingstore.com

A cool place for all kinds of gadgets – great for gifts – has come to The American School Foundation once or twice for various gift bazaars – worth checking out!

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15) Goethe Institute – Tonalá 43, Colonia Roma     Tel. + 52 55 52070487
info@mexiko.goethe.org

GREAT place to see the documentary film festival, as well as many other films and special cultural exhibits.  Keep your eye on events occurring here – very great place!

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16)   Vicola Roma– Cordoba 97 – B Col. Roma Norte Tel: (55) 5208-0125     On Facebook: vicoloroma  and their website here!

(Right beside Wok This Way –  on Cordoba) – one street off of Alvaro Obregon towards the North!)

A great new tienda, with a variety of everything Mexico, and tons of artisans represented    some artsy, some environmental and plants, pillows, even a night when some people get together and knit – it looks and feels like a SUPER cool place!  Add to this classes in jewelry making that is possible where you customize your own piece, and this is quite a versatile experience in the heart of Roma!   Talk to the owner Vladi and make a point to stop here – this will be a great experience!

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17)   Le Cinema    Rio Nazas 43   Colonia Cuauhtemoc 06500 Mexico City Mexico    55 5566 0777

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#18) Dulcea Cake Boutique    43  Fernando de Och0  Comndesa   Mexico City   01 55 3443 9571

This is 100% about catching you unaware. The teaser is the Pan Dulce, which usually. I have is kind of hard, not very but on the harder side, and when I tasted this Pan Dulce, crumbs fell all over, it was that soft. Delicious.

So I moved to the Carrot Cake, but no, not any ordinary cake, look at the picture and you will see that. The cranberries, the icing in between, the soft texture of the cake itself, heaven on earth. I haven’t dipped into the Passion Fruit cheesecake YET, but I am dying thinking about it right now.

Then there is the FIVE texture chocolate cake, the peanut butter cheesecake, the Mocha cheesecake, lime cheesecake and yes, there is MORE. This is the perfect corner, it is quaint, quiet, and so far the most delicious and best kept secret.

I pretty much thought nothing comes close to the Swiss Bakery, no. This does, and I am as surprised to say that as many will be to hear that, but try it, you will see. it will have you dreaming for more, easily. Jorge Gil will tap every single sweet tooth you have and more if you give him a chance, and this is as good as it gets. Perfect experience.

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#19) La Reina Del Sur  – Corner of Chihuahua and Orizaba 

La Reina Del Sur – Corner of Chihuahua  and Orizaba!  Roma Norte

Ever notice some of the best places are those that you just, stumble in ?  You look back and wonder, how could that have turned out better?

The brand new corner in Roma Norte BEFORE Casa Quimera that just opened is a discreet, cool mercado that has tiendas for BBQ, Ceviche, and here, empanadas and pizza to start.

Yet, there is more.  Christian and Mariana are Tango, Salsa, and dance instructors, that happen to instruct beside Tonala Cinema.  Yes, they are Tango Discovery Mexico, check them out at Facebook.  

Funny thing is, I bought the Hawaiana pizza, and although it was thin crust, DELICIOUS. I am hedging an can’t be nailed down to say this is the BEST pizza, but it fills you up and is GOOOOOOD.  Simple menu, simple location and yet, PACKED with personality – both the owners and the food.  You need to come by this corner of food tiendas, it is the newest and coolest  corner that has just popped up and makes Roma, just that, Roma, unlike any other colonia.  I will let you know how my first dance experience goes too  🙂

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