With Chef Arturo Sandoval at the helm, Atrio is about to write a new chapter on what fine dining looks like and this installment will forever change the culinary landscape here in SMA.
The food at Atrio is not just good, it’s Michelin star good. Atrio was our pick for the best chef and restaurant opening in 2017 and still reigns supreme 8 years later.
For the past three months, Atrio has been planning a signature table to showcase Chef Arturo Sandoval’s interpretation of world food; the Mesa Epicure. The table will open at 7:00 PM, Friday, October 17th, for its first dinner with a menu that’s seasonal; only the finest ingredients can be found in Chef Arturo Sandoval’s kitchen.
Atrio’s owners, José María Calvo (Chema) and Jesús Manuel Calvo (Chus), have been giving the gift of good food to SMA diners for over 3 decades and are determined to leave the best customer experiences in their wake. 30 years ago, they opened Pueblo Viejo. For the past 18 years, La Azotea has played a major role, claiming SMA’s signature taco, the Jicama taco, that’s not about to be knocked off its throne anytime soon. Celebrating their 8th anniversary next month, Atrio has proved to be the jewel in the crown that we all know and love.
During the past 8 years, I remember every trip to Atrio; always a celebration of the magic I feel living in the best small city in the world.
As a food writer, I’ve followed Atrio’s rise; climbing stairs that were still under construction in 2017, just to get a glimpse of what would be the best restaurant in SMA 8 years later. I’ll never forget when I reached the top and saw the Parroquia for the first time from there. I still see it that way today.
The person to take on a tasting adventure at Atrio is Chef Michael Coon.He’s traveled to over 40 countries as the former Travel Director and Co-Creator of the Culinary Institute of America’s World of Flavor tours. I first met him in 2013 when he was cooking global menus and holding private dinners before most of the best restaurants in SMA even opened; he was a one man show. He calls Chef Arturo Sandoval the “real deal”.
Our menu…
-PANI PURI (filled with tomato and burrata tartar with olive soil and anchovies)
-ARTICHOKE BURGER, brioche bread, teriyaki, and foie gras
-FOIE GRILL TOAST, foie gras, onion and grape jam
-COD SALAD, pickled cod, mizuna, avocado, and parmesan cheese with sesame vinaigrette
-Madagascar TIGER PRAWN with Josper sauce in Batallaky (special butter)
-SHORT RIBE BAO, with sambal aioli and pickled mushrooms
-BAKLAVA, with honey and rose jelly, mascarpone ice cream
At the 4th edition of Millesime GNP Weekend at the Rosewood this past May, Luis discovered many new wines and spirits to pair with Chef Sandoval’s offerings; he was already thinking ahead. At Atrio’s Mesa Epicure, 10 courses with pairings will be served and the chef will introduce new food from around the world. In our own tasting trip around the globe, we caught flavors from India, Denmark, Italy, Spain, France, Japan, Madagascar, Thailand, China and Southeast Asia.
The maximum for the table, located just a step down from the kitchen, is 10. Reservations are accepted every night, depending on availability, and don’t forget to advise the staff of any allergies. The table will have the luxury of personalized service from Chef Arturo Sandoval, Luis Vela and owners, José María Calvo and Jesús Manuel Calvo.
Traveling through Spain these past few years has definitely elevated his cooking. Back at Atrio, the seat of his culinary creations, Chef Arturo Sandoval works with an experienced team to execute Mexican, Peruvian, Spanish and other cuisines, and is committed to setting the standard for how a restaurant experience should be for ATRIO’s guests."That was never taught in school," he said, and he’s mastered that art as well.
Mesa Epicure will be the perfect addition to a restaurant that’s already been defined by culinary excellence. As Atrio gets ready to rewrite the culinary history book, I’m still digesting the fact that their Soft Shell Crab Taco is the same price as it was 8 years ago
Although I say that life’s too short to stay in one zip code these days, whenever I’m in San Miguel de Allende, Atrio is home!
Atrio
Cuna de Allende 3, Centro
San Miguel de Allende, GTO
Open Daily:
Lunch: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Dinner: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Mesa Epicure: Dinner 7:00 PM
Reservations: 415 688 1405
Chef: Arturo Sandoval
Photos: Susan Knight York
