Pati's Mexican Table

Pati returns to her hometown, Mexico City, and joins historian Erika Zúñiga to trace its history from Templo Mayor to Bellas Artes, with a stop for churros at the legendary El Moro. Later, she meets journalist Enrique Acevedo at Central de Abastos, the world's busiest market, where they share delicious tacos de lengua and reflect on the city's vibrant present and future.

Pati steps into Mexico City's creative scene at El Volador, where Francisco Enríquez shows how his team builds the towering art behind Day of the Dead parades and festivals. Over alambre, they reflect on the power of imagination. Later, Pati visits papel picado artist Yuriria Alfaro and her team to learn about the history of punctured paper and share fish tamales that honor its enduring spirit.

Pati visits Xochimilco's canals to learn about the ancient chinampas and their modern-day preservation. In a traditional smoke kitchen, Chef Jimenez prepares pipián verde and discusses conservation. She later joins Francisco Salvador and Omar Espinoza, who work to protect the endangered axolotl, and ends the day at Francisco's home, to reflect on local resilience over a meal of chile relleno.

Pati rides the Iztapalapa Cable Bus with urbanist Paola Montes to see how design and transit are reshaping Mexico City. After tacos at Taquería Los Cuñados, she meets Diego Cárdenas at Bamboocycles to build a bamboo bike and talk about sustainable cities. They end the day with street tlacoyos and a look at how community and creativity drive urban change.

Pati meets photographer Nuria Lagarde at Mercado de Jamaica to talk art and daily life among stalls of flowers bursting with color. Later, she visits author Laura Esquivel to reflect on Magical Realism and storytelling's power to shape identity. They share pan dulce and a chocolate drink inspired by Laura's work, celebrating how art and identity shape Mexico City's creative soul.

Pati visits Gris in Tlatelolco to meet Gabriela Rojas and reflect on the neighborhood's tragic past and hopeful future. They share chamorro de cerdo before Pati heads to Salón Los Ángeles, where Miguel Nieto guides her through the rhythms and stories of danzón. Surrounded by friends, they toast with a twist on the michelada, celebrating joy and resilience in the city.

Pati travels to Milpa Alta and meets Chef Jorge Córcega to harvest and char nopales over an open flame, learning time-honored techniques tied to the land. She later visits Luis Alvarado and his family, known for their mole, a culinary treasure bursting with flavor as rich as its history.  Over a shared meal of mole and nopales, they celebrate the traditions that nourish Milpa Alta's community.

Pati visits Rústico in Cuauhtémoc, where brothers Iván and Germán Ortiz share their love of traditional baking over a delicate tart made with goat cheese and fig. In Colonia Roma, she meets Kiren Miret at Casa Morgana to talk dreams, risks, and creativity while sampling bold ice cream flavors. A celebration of passion, tradition, and the people who pour their heart into every creation.

Pati reconnects with her Jewish heritage in Mexico City alongside historian Mónica Unikel-Fasja, visiting places filled with childhood memories and history. Later, she joins her sister, Karen Drijanski, at her restaurant Niddo to cook, laugh, and reminisce over pancakes and chilaquiles, celebrating family, identity, and the stories that have shaped her life.