Spanish Restaurants in CDMX / Centro Asturiano, veal, marzipan, and Spanish cuisine
Centro Asturiano is more than just a restaurant; it's a civil association, a symbol of nostalgia between Mexico and Asturias. It embodies memories of weddings, graduations, and flavors all at once.
Por: Youyi Mayora Eng
Fotos cortesía de: Sitio web e Instagram del Centro Asturiano
In the final years of the Mexican Revolution, José Menéndez Aleu, Ángel H. Díaz, Antonio Martínez Cuétara, and others decided to cement their friendship. In a country marked by revolutionary winds, the new times promised years of long-awaited political and social stability. In this context, the friends decided to found a football team to unite the Asturians living in Mexico. Thus, Centro Asturiano was born. Today, the civil association boasts five facilities: Parque Asturias, Club Campestre, La Casona, and the Sociocultural Building where the Centro Asturiano restaurant is located.
Centro Asturiano Restaurant in Polanco
The restaurant is situated in Polanco, on Arquímedes Street, strategically located just a few blocks from the National Auditorium and Reforma Avenue, and close to the memory vaults that are museums, yet somewhat removed from the chilliness of Masaryk Avenue. It's a restaurant you must enter with courage and a willingness to try new things. One might think that the bond between Spain and Mexico ensures a kind of brotherhood in taste, but while we speak the same language, what you'll find on the menu is far from Mexican cuisine. It's like exploring a world of flavors that will transport your taste buds to the memory of a distant Spain.
Its wooden floors and designer lighting give an air of elegance that contrasts with the warmth of the place. It's a venue that philosophically respects the wallets of its customers. The octopus "a la gallega" perplexes me alongside the chorizo in cider, entities that prevent me from making a decision on the starter—why not have both? Let chorizo meet octopus; after all, universality is in vogue. Then, let's move beyond the eternal Valencian paella. If we succumb to the temptation to order it, we won't be able to enjoy their tender veal breast, juicy and accompanied by potatoes that threaten to stain the table. I envy the other table that opted for the roast suckling pig; you can't have everything in life. I confess I've never been a fan of Tarta de Santiago, and although I hear everyone orders it, my rebellion leans towards the marzipan ice cream that permeates my lips with childhood charm and flavor.
Upon leaving, the fresh and whimsical wind startles the girls about to enter their graduation ceremony, worried about ruining their hairstyles and makeup. Two boys in well-pressed tuxedos make the most of their final moments as undergraduate students. All I can do is smile, congratulate them, and leave that imposing building as a witness to the bond between the distant land of Asturias and today's Tenochtitlan. So, now you know, that tender veal breast awaits you punctually—go ahead and indulge!
- Address: Arquímedes 4, Polanco
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 12 am and from 1 pm to 6 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 12:00 pm and from 1 pm to 6 pm
- Ideal for: breakfast, lunch, and desserts
- Type of cuisine: Spanish
- Payment: cash and cards
- Accessibility: yes
- Parking: yes
- Reservations: recommended
- Nearby public transport: Auditorio Nacional metro station
- Pet friendly: no
- Suitable for children: yes
- Vegan options: no
