From pages 35-36 of Oaxaca Tips
Casa Oaxaca "El Restaurante" $$$$ (map p.26 #10)
Constitución 104 (interior of Galería Quetzalli), Centro
Monday-Saturday: 1-11PM; Sunday: 1-9PM.  Credit cards
Casa Oaxaca executive chef Alejandro Ruíz was a pioneer in creating and promoting Oaxacan haut cuisine and the Casa Oaxaca Restaurant reflects his passion. For food and service, this continues to be one of Oaxaca's premier restaurants. Ruíz uses fresh, local ingredients to create subtly-flavored, imaginative nouvelle Mexican/continental cuisine that not only sounds and looks enticing, but is a joy to eat. The menu changes seasonally, but the food is consistently inventive, well-prepared, and smartly presented. The restaurant was recently renovated, and the white and grey décor of the new space feels sterile; perhaps time or some plants will give it more intimacy. An alternative is to dine upstairs on the candle-lit rooftop terrace overlooking Santo Domingo - a memorable setting.
Tel: 516-8889.  www.casaoaxacaelrestaurante.com
Entrance to restaurant from patio of Quetzalli Gallery