These Are the 10 Best Restaurants in Arlington
One could say there are many cooks in the kitchen. That’s because executive chef Jaime Garciá Pelayo Bribiesca stands on the shoulders of world-renowned culinarians and centuries of Mexican gastronomical heritage when he prepares your meal.
Pelayo is a passionate restaurateur who’s studied with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, José Andrés, and Edward Lee, among others. A native of Mexico City, he returns home regularly and travels through Europe to deepen his knowledge and conduct research.
Buena Vida offers diners a chance to sample what he’s learned thanks to a system of all-you-can-eat lunch, brunch, and dinner for a fixed price. When you order, expand your palate with Pelayo’s family recipes. The tortilla Azteca with spinach and Chihuahua cheese gratin is his grandmother’s creation. Corn ribs are a riff on Mexican street corn. Salt-cured cecina steak is served butterfly thin with housemade tortillas. Break the sugar crust over the goat cheese flan to combine texture and flavor.
Add to the experience with a craft cocktail, sangria, or Citadelle gin and tonic. Collegiality among the staff makes you feel like you’ve joined their party. And one thing you’ll learn is that here, at least, there is no such thing as too many cooks.
See this: Three attractive levels for dining, with a South Beach vibe. The center level is quieter, while the rooftop patio has DJs, a retractable roof, and multiple seating options.
Eat this: Tuna ceviche, cecina steak, huitlacoche enchilada
When to dine here: Lunch is the best deal around.