House of Dioxin

Food highlight of the last few days: chicken barbecue sandwich at Nosh. Not the usual chicken barbecue, which tends (in my experience) to be shredded or pulled chicken in sauce, a lot of sauce, usually spicy. But this was like a chopped pork sandwich except with chicken. Very very chopped. Not a whole lot of smoke but some. Nicely seasoned. Really good. It's not on the regular menu but I'll definitely be ordering it again any time I see it.
Also on the menu this weekend: a trip out to Mez w/ friends. To me, it's like a less idiosyncratic version of Tonali. The space is gorgeous, there's lots of drink options, the kitchen got the food out to us promptly. Service was a bit unpolished but friendly. We shared the empanadas as a starter. I had the tamales and a side of green rice. The rice was actually my favorite, almost as good as the Rick Bayless version Sarah and I have made a few times. The tamales were filled with chicken and pork. The pork was supposed to be cochinita pibil but it tasted more like just roast pork. The chicken just got lost. The sauces were really good. Others at the table had the fish tacos (reported to be not as good as Tonali) and the ribeye (good; huge). As a dining experience I think it has some definite edges on Tonali. But just in terms of the food (and it may be unfair to make a final decision after just one visit to Mez) I prefer Tonali at this point. I think their food's got more personality and more flavor. But it's a close call.