Cuchara

Cuchara, an authentic Mexico City bistro that opened its doors with an above and beyond Mexican independence party on September 15, 2012, occupies the corner space at Fairview and Taft. The 1940s brick building used to house The Hyde Park Supermarket. The restaurant was conceived by Ana Beaven and Charlie McDaniel, and designed by Jim Herd and his team of Collaborative Projects. It has a modern, open aesthetic, which is juxtaposed with jolts of color and texture in the rainbow-hued plates and bowls, and rough-hewn half-aprons worn by waiters that reference the menu’s Mexico City origins. There are also a trio of eye-catching murals by Mexico City artist Cecilia Beaven who also created the art and playful animal icons that are present everywhere. A chaotic maze of cars and roads frames the largest one, which runs the length of the dining room. Drinkers in a different dimension look down at people lounging and sipping cocktails at the bar, which menu was created by Chris Frankel. The third one, is a colorful open air market displaying the ingredients that come straight from farms to the tables in unique ceramic and cast iron pots and pans.