KUUK Merida
Located in Merida, the largest city in Yucatan state in Mexico, Kuuk is chic in every sense of the word, from the cutlery and decor to the wine cellar and suave waiters. The cutting-edge menu features eight courses, each prepared using molecular gastronomy and fresh ingredients, most of them grown on-site. Many of the Yucatecan dishes are cooked in the custom built "pibil" oven, a modernized version of the underground cooking method that gives food that smoky flavor. Although small, each course is a work of art—picture dollops of baby pumpkin dusted with goat cheese the texture of powdered snow or transparent potatoes as thin as tissue paper. Desserts are sprinkled with dehydrated berries, honey-soaked seeds, and cilantro pieces that look more like Skittles. Address: Av Rómulo Rozo 488, Itzimná, 97100 Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico