Ixkati - Coyoacán

Ixkati serves top-quality Kobe-style meat (and other dishes) at a very reasonable price in a lounge-style minimalistic setting, very close to the centre of Coyoacan. We enjoyed the food and the excellent, friendly service by the owner/chef, Leo Grebot (who switches effortlessly from Spanish to French or English) so much that we went here twice during our one-week stay in this delightful neighbourhood of Mexico City. Leo's delicious salad dressing (soya oil, balsamic and salt) has now become our house dressing back in Heidelberg, Germany. Highly recommended for discerning guests, looking for an alternative to the traditional Mexican fare.

DECORATIONS: The name doesn 't have ANYTHING to do with either the Kobe steaks or the decorations. (The restaurant itself seems too cold for a Wannabe Pricey Steak House , the decorations include Japanese style of paintings, wooden sculptures of animals, long, big tables, and everything is dressed in white and brown shades. (Even though the concept of a Minimal decor is not suited for a place such as this). FOOD: It 's not so pricey but still, nothing that has you on the edge of your seat. Average. The menu doesnt have a purpose, you will fin Hamburguers, Pizza, Crostinis, Appetizers [quite simple actually], Few average hot main courses like: Osobucco, roast Beef and Ribs. [And please...they repeat WAY TOO MUCH certain words to explain the main courses such as: Hamburguer with its bun Roast beef with its juices ...Sorry but poorly written] MUSIC: Lounge music. SERVICE: Simple, yet well performed. [The waiters could step a little bit up their game by adding suggestions, not only the TOP GAME of the house which is the meat obviously] KOBE: If you are just looking to get some KOBE..its pricey, yet worth it (it 's around $200 bucks per check not including beverage or..anything else beside it There are other options in Mexico City for trying this kind of meat like Camino Real Hotel in Polanco but well, if you are in México looking for High Quality Steaks, travel up North. DESSERTS: Mango in a can prepared for you in 3 different ways. OVERALL: ..Not astonishing, not tasty, just a simple place.

I was pleased to get an opportunity to return to this small restaurant in Coyoacan. The owner was not working on the day we ate there, but I was pleased to experience food and service as excellent as on my previous visit. The onion soup followed by an exquisite cut of kobe beef made for a perfect lunch. The spare decoration calls to mind a modern Japanese-inspired design ethic, which I appreciate. I'm not a fan of the 2 enormous televisions mounted on opposite walls, it's just not my preference to have TVs on at a fine-dining restaurant. But that's personal preference.

The ambience is more that of a cafeteria. The food did not merit the prices. There are a few options that are more affordable, like a $180 peso hamburger. The asparagus appetizer consists of 3 spears of asparagus for $120 and frankly, the Kobe didn't seem so special.

Ixkati is a fairly small but attractive restaurant near the historic center of Coyoacan. It basically serves any cut of Kobe beef, however you want. The meat was amazing it just melts in your mouth. The service was good, prompt, attentive but not intrusive; the owner was very welcoming; and the location is within walking distance of the Coyoacan main plaza. But the main attraction is the perfectly prepared Kobe beef well worth a visit!