Em (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Founder | Luis "Lucho" Martínez |
| Headquarters | Mexico City , Mexico |
| Products | Modern Mexican cuisine with Japanese influences |
| Website | em |
Em is a fine dining establishment located in Colonia Roma, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City, Mexico, specializing in modern Mexican cuisine infused with Japanese elements. The restaurant features daily à la carte selections alongside an eight- to nine-course full-course tasting menu. Founded by chef Luis "Lucho" Martínez in 2018 under the name Emilia in Mexico City's Colonia Cuauhtémoc neighborhood, it was later renamed and moved to Colonia Roma as a response to the challenges posed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food industry. Em has been critically acclaimed, receiving one Michelin star in the 2024 edition of the Michelin Guide for Mexico.
Description
Operating exclusively during evening hours, Em accommodates 52 guests and requires advance reservations.[1] The restaurant presents both à la carte dishes and an eight- to nine-course omakase tasting menu, with selections curated by the chefs.[2][3] The menu undergoes weekly revisions, while daily options are updated every quarter.[1] Guests choosing the tasting menu are seated at the main bar, whereas those ordering à la carte dine at adjacent tables.[2]
The culinary style fuses Mexican and Japanese influences.[3] Martínez prioritizes frequent menu alterations to foster creativity and highlight seasonal produce.[4]
Signature offerings include baby corn paired with caviar and from Ocosingo, Chiapas; enoki mushroom dashi risotto; sea bass served with parsley stem cream and a white garlic sauce; lemon balm ice cream; as well as dark chocolate filled with sea salt and caramel, finished with konbu ice cream.[2] Additional standout dishes mentioned by Guillaume Guevara encompass mole with beef tongue, spicy chicken, wagyu beef, and Petrossian caviar.[5]
History
Chef Luis "Lucho" Martínez, who previously gained experience at Quintonil, Máximo Bistrot, and Mia Domenicca, owns Em. Seeking to establish a unique dining concept distinct from establishments like Pujol or Quintonil, Martínez inaugurated Emilia in 2018 on Río Pánuco Street in Colonia Cuauhtémoc, naming it after his daughter. Collaborating with associate Ebo Kobayashi and Japanese designer Kanako Ishida, they designed the interior incorporating materials such as copper, quarry stone, and marble. Facing the repercussions of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food industry, the restaurant was rebranded as Em and relocated to Tonalá Street in Colonia Roma, occupying the former space of Máximo Bistrot. Above Em, Martínez also opened 686 Bar.
Reception
Time Out placed Em fifteenth among Mexico City's top twenty-three dining venues. Reviewer Regina Barberena awarded it five stars, highlighting its global culinary profile marked by inventive techniques and layered flavors. Guillaume Guevara characterized Em’s offerings as "high-end" yet more accessible compared to Pujol. Food critic Marco Beteta endorsed its omakase selections, while Juan Carlos Gamboa of Caras lauded the chef’s refined yet straightforward dishes. El Universal emphasized the intense flavor profiles and overall enjoyable dining experience.
With the debut of the Michelin Guide in Mexico in 2024, Em received one star for delivering "high-quality cooking worth a stop." The guide remarked that both à la carte and tasting menus feature sophisticated and bold tastes presented with clarity. Em was among seven Mexico City restaurants awarded Michelin stars honored by Martí Batres, head of the city government, who presented chefs with an onyx statuette inspired by the pre-Hispanic sculpture The Young Woman of Amajac. This accolade highlights their contribution to tourism promotion and honors indigenous women’s influence on gastronomy.
See also
- List of Japanese restaurants
- List of Mexican restaurants
- List of Michelin-starred restaurants in Mexico
- List of restaurants in Mexico
External links
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