El Mandarino

A tiny Chinese eatery in La Condesa with just one four-person table and four bar stools facing an open kitchen. The Sichuan and Hunan dishes lean spicy and well-seasoned, with standouts including Vietnamese pho, curry chicken, beef in oyster sauce, won ton soup, and mixed noodles — all at prices easy on the wallet for the neighborhood.

The kitchen works fast, and if you snag a bar seat, you get a front-row view of every wok toss and stir. Accepts cards, allows dogs, and serves lychee-coconut drinks alongside the hot plates. Parking's tough in the area, so best to walk in.