Meet The Brothers Redefining Mexican Cuisine In New York City

12.09.2023 - 00:09 / forbes.com

Anyone who knows me and my dining out habits knows that once I discover a restaurant I love, I’m hooked and go again and again- that could mean twice a week or more sometimes or weekly straight for a year when I’m in town.

The latest name to join my rotation of spots is Casa Carmen, a Mexican restaurant with two locations in the city, one in Tribeca that’s more than a year old and another in Flatiron that officially opened this fall.

Casa Carmen is fantastic and genuinely authentic that it’s- in my opinion, at least, based on my numerous trips to Mexico and decades of enjoying the food- reshaping the meaning of Mexican cuisine in New York.

Casa Carmen’s backstory starts in Mexico City in 1972 when the acclaimed chef Carmen “Titita” Ramirez Degollado opened El Bajio, a restaurant where she wanted to serve traditional cuisine from all over Mexico- the menu features recipes from Veracruz, Puebla, Oaxaca and beyond. That single spot has grown to 19 today, and the original spot just celebrated its 50th anniversary!

Enter Casa Carmen. Today, Titita’s grandsons, Sebastian and Santiago Ramirez Degollado, who both grew up in Mexico City helping out in El Bajio’s kitchens and now live in New York, wanted to transport the same Mexican food to the city. They also wanted to pay homage to their beloved Titita. The duo are the helm of the next generation of the family’s restaurateurs and have put together a world-class team and venues to deliver an outstanding experience.

Both locations are design showpieces to start and resemble Mexican haciendas with their woven textiles, clay pottery, plants and other decorative elements from the country. And the expansive list of tequilas and mezcals- oh my. Let’s just that any agave lover will be spoiled for choice.

Then there’s the food: head chef Ivan Gonzalez trained with Titita for months before heading to the US to show off his skills. With his ceviches, tacos, fish Veracruz and other creations, he has become the culinary love of my life.

Casa Carmen is a buzzy restaurant with a cool crowd at both locations, and the convivial staff treats all diners like family.

I spoke to Sebastian and Santiago about their vision for Casa Carmen and what they hope to achieve. Our interview follows with both of them answering together:

What is your culinary concept?

Our concept is traditional Mexican cuisine, served alongside cocktails made with agave spirits and other Mexican distillates. We serve dishes that one would eat at their grandmother's house in Mexico City on any given day of the week— authentic plates from Yucatan and Veracruz in a cozy Mexican atmosphere within clay, stone, and stucco earthy walls.

Where do your recipes come from?

Our recipes come from our grandmother