Mezcaleria Alma

Lightning strikes twice for dynamo Chef Johnny Curiel with this parallel concept cheek-by-jowl next to his celebrated flagship. As the name suggests, the small stylish space has a mezcal bar vibe—and a list of inventive, mouthwatering agave spirit-based cocktails to go with it—but it’s also a showcase for Chef Curiel’s culinary talents. Evoking the vibrant creativity of Mexico City’s restaurant scene, the succinct menu is sprinkled with international flavors, as in an herbaceous ceviche of kanpachi that incorporates dill and roasted garlic, or a subtly spiced aguachile of Santa Barbara uni and Hokkaido scallop with mandarin and crispy ginger. Meats, like tender, slow-cooked duck piled atop a crisp blue corn tlacoyo and accented with zingy xni-pec salsa, show similar éclat.