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travel
san jacinto church
Founded in the late 16th
century by Dominican
friars, it’s located just
off San Jacinto Plaza.
Mexico City
Treasure Hunt
As C Contributor Nathan Turner digs for interior inspiration, a long weekend reveals
a cultural hub with enchanting resources for decor-loving travelers BY JENNY MURRAY HOOKS
Photographed by Miguel Flores-Vianna
C 119
travel |
Mexico City
I
Rodrigo Rivero Lake Anticuario
Rodrigo Rivero Lake Anticuario
Nathan Turner in front
think Mexico City is
of the Church of
Immaculate Concepcion
one of the most inter­
esting places in all of
the Americas,” says L.A.-based interior designer Nathan Turner.
“The rich, layered history is evident everywhere—in its culture,
architecture and cuisine.” ¶ Owner of the popular L.A. home
decor store that bears his name, Turner says he visits Mexico City
a few times a year. “I find so much inspir­­ation, and new sources
and ideas every time I’m there,” he says. For C, Turner and his
partner, Argentinean photographer Miguel Flores-Vianna,
documented their favorite finds in the Distrito Federal—from
outdoor antiques markets and time-honored churches to Four
Seasons accommo­dations and the capital’s best empanadas.
SHOPPING
á Rodrigo Rivero Lake Anticuario A private dealer of
exceptional quality, Rodrigo specializes in Mexican and
colonial antique paintings and furniture. “I bought a colonial
portrait for myself.” Campos Eliseos 199, 5281-5505; rlake.com.mx.
á Talabarteria El Caballo Mex­i­cano Since 1913, these
artisans have been pro­ducing hand-made leather goods—saddles,
bridles, boots, riding gear, hats and accessories. “For anyone
with horses, it’s a definite must-see.” Pino Suarez 27, 5542-6661.
Plaza san Angel Maria Luisa’s bookstore
á Centro de antiquedades A permanent outdoor antiques
mar­ket in the Plaza San Angel. Every
“In just three hours by plane, Mexico City
seems so far from home; it’s another world
so much older thAn our own.”
Sat­urday, there’s a flea market in the
square. Londres 161, 5525-6192.
á Casa del Obispo Discernible by the
huge paper-maché man
á Insurgentes Market
talabarteria el caballo mexicano
More than 224 booths of arte
popular dealers. “I bought
colorful embroidered blankets, adorable dresses for my
niece and a lot of really nice
silver—pitchers and bowls.”
Londres 154, 5525-5266.
out front, this San Angel
shop carries beautiful
table lin­ens. Juarez 1,
San An­gel, 5616-8839.
á
Palacio de las
Mascaras The store
Allende 84, 5529-2849.
á Basilica de Guadalupe Second
only to the Vatican as the most popular Catholic attraction in the world.
Plaza de las Americas 1, 5577-6022.
C 00
Miguel Flores-Vianna
and gallery has masks
and costumes dating back 200 years.
travel |
Mexico City
Nathan Turner in
the kitchen of La
Fonda del Refugio
Spanish elegance
HOTEL
á Four Seasons, Mexico, D.F.
Housed in a converted monastery, the
la Fonda del Refugio
“Mexican culture
is so intertwined
with our own.
And because of
this connection,
our aesthetics
complement each
other—heavily
influenced by
Four Seasons has amazing ser­­vice and
the best authentic Mex­i­can
hot choc­o­late that even the
and style, while
the climate lends
itself to an easy,
informal feel.”
locals go for. They will help
organize drivers (a necessity) and are helpful with recommendations.
GALLERIES
Paseo de la Reforma 500, Colonia Juárez, 5230-1818; fourseasons.com.
á Art Gallery OMR
MUST–SEE MUSEUMS
Located in a spacious
turn-of-the-century
house in the heart of
the Roma district, OMR
represents a broad
spectrum of the most
prominent painters,
sculptors and photographers on both the Mexican and international
art scene. Shown here is
work by Mauricio Guilin.
Plaza Rio Janeiro 54,
5511-1179; galeriaomr.com.
á Museo Dolores Olmeda Patino Famed works by Diego
Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Tren Ligero La Noria, 5555-1016; museo
doloresolmedo.org.mx.
á Museo Nacional de Arte More than 33 rooms of Mexican
and Italian art dating back to the 16th century. Tacuba 8, 51303400; munal.com.mx.
á Museo Nacional de Antropologia Artifacts from the
pre-Columbian heritage of Mexico, such as the 16th century Aztec
statue of Xochipilli and the sacred Piedra del Sol. Avenida Paseo
de la Reforma, Chapultepec Polanco, 5553-6381; mna.inah.gob.mx.
CHURCHES
á Galería López
Quiroga Open since
á San Jacinto Church Founded in the late 16th century by
Dominican friars. San Juan Diego 17, San Jacinto.
Art Gallery OMR
á Church of Immaculate Concepcion The colonial Plaza
de la Conchita derives its name from this Baroque chapel
Galerîa LÓpez quiroga
constructed in 1793. Francisco Sarabia, La Conchita.
RESTAURANTS
á La Fonda Del Refugio For 54 years, they’ve been serving
elegant, authentic dishes like arroz con plát­anos and empanadas—
“plus they let me sneak into the kitchen.” Liverpool 166, 5207-2732.
á Monte Cristo In a converted 19th century hacienda, this is
an amazing place for a long, lazy
Galerîa LÓpez quiroga
lunch. Insurgentes 1980, 5577-9262.
á Café La Habana G reat ’50s
cafe with amazing coffee. Morelos
62, 5535-2620.
á Sanborn’s Casa de Azuelos
The patio of this landmark 1596
manor has been converted into
one of the city’s most famous
restaurants. Avenida Madero 4.
•
Miguel Flores-Vianna
1980, the gallery pro­motes contemporary
Mexican art. Shown here
are photographs by
Pablo Lopez and a sculpture by Vicente Rojo.
Aristóteles 169, 52801710; lopezquiroga.com.