Camila, Una Boutique de Libros

A local bookstore is an oasis and one of our favorite places to go in SMA is the new Camila, una boutique de libros, owned by Camila Sanchez, daughter of Chef Marcela Bolano.

Camila, una boutique de libros is a magical place filled with books that remind you why you love books in the first place. Camila’s has many of our favorite and soon-to-be favorite titles in both Spanish and English.

Since she was a child, Camila Sanchez has always wanted to own a book store and just like in the books, we love happy endings.

Camila, una boutique de libros, is located in front of Restaurante Marsala, cocina con acentos, at Calle del Dr Ignacio Hernandez Macias 48, in Zona Centro.

Are Three Chefs Better Than One? …

Only when they are three of the best chefs in San Miguel de Allende and your guest is another chef, Magda Elisa Pablos.

Tene’s brunch this particular Sunday featured Chef Irving Cano paired up with none other than Chefs Jorge Avendaño of Bastardo and Christian Herrera of As De Guia - the dream team trio who created one of the best meals we’ve eaten.

Our best bites were an amazing tostada with tuna and bone marrow, prepared by Chef Irving Cano, a perfect pollo al carbon, just like our favorite chicken at Bastardo made by Chef Jorge Avendaño and a super fresh tuna steak prepared by Chef Christian Herrera of As De Guia.

From Tene’s on-site bakery, Dulce 1810, was what we consider to be one of the best croissants in town: a soft chocolate croissant with pistachios.

You can’t get fish any fresher than this unless you catch it yourself. Chef Christian Herrera gave us all a lesson in filleting this enormous fish, which was half the fun of the brunch.

Watch for regular postings on Tene’s Facebook page. Chances are you’ll find Chef Cano cooking with another one of your favorite chefs in town; they change up guest chefs every brunch.

Tene Restaurant/Casa 1810 Parque Hotel /Dulce 1810 Bakery Codo 3, Zona Centro, Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto. Phone: 415 688 6891 Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM except Sunday Brunch: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Mixology Special: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM Chef: Irving Cano Facebook: Tene Instagram: tene1810sma

Amatte Wellness Community: Our Best Escape This Year

There’s a definite high that comes with being on top of the world, among the cactus and the Cumulus clouds, surrounded by the bluer-than-blue sky that defines SMA.

Amatte Wellness Community was our best escape all year. We went Sunday for brunch expecting to stay for a few hours and four hours later we were still there. One of the greatest guilty pleasures in life, we never once felt like we were in SMA to begin with.

Walk slowly up the 71 stairs to the rooftop and savor every detail of the multi-level hotel and restaurant along the way. It boasts 6 bars - one of them by Casa Dragones, where they create one-of-a-kind, craft cocktails, including our favorite drink of 2022, Floating Grapes: a mixture of Casa Dragones Blanco, Cardamomo con maracuya and Helado de champagne.

If you hear me gasp it’s because Amatte always takes my breath away the minute I reach the summit. It’s the most amazing view; a 360 degree panorama of what is magically one of the most beautiful small cities in the world. At this altitude, you forget about everything you left behind and embrace the day; a break in your daily routine that is the best possible therapy.

Hacmans restaurant is there; created by Valle de Guadalupe Michelin-star chef, Drew Deckman. The buffet table for brunch was filled with a selection of cheeses, breads, yogurts and blends, Iberian ham and salami, homemade tortillas with guisados, fresh Chinaberry Farm salads, and other delights, and you get bottomless mimosas and your choice of an entree and desserts. $650 pesos. My friend Sally picked the Barbacoa and I opted for Pork Belly. Both were delicious. We also got a look at their breakfast from two guests who had to eat and run - Eggs Benedict covered with bacon and pancakes piled high with whipped cream. Both looked fantastic. With efforts on to attract more local customers, my guess is that Amatte will also put more north of the border items on their menu.

We were delighted to see that Amatte is also doing a produce market every Sunday in conjunction with the brunch; selling the beautiful bounty from Deborah Richards at Chinaberry Farm. Fresher-than-fresh, everything was just picked that morning and was gorgeous; the best produce we’ve seen in SMA.

Amatte will celebrate the holiday tomorrow, Thursday, September 15th, with a special BBQ feast from 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM. The meats will include: Costilla, Chorizo rojo,Chorizo verde, Chorizo argentino, Chistorra, Sirloins, Churrasco, Picaña and Costilla de rib eye. Message on Facebook or call new Manager, Mike Espinosa, or Raphael Valez Leal for all the details before it sells out.

The Amatte Wellnest Community Hotel features a beautiful design by Japanese architect Shinji Miyazaki, inspired by the Wabi-sabi (侘寂) concept: the discovery of beauty in imperfection.

If you want to see the sunset, and it’s spectacular from this elevation, come grab a table and order a drink about 7 PM. Amatee’s got great food, impeccable service and the most incredible view in SMA. How’s that for a perfect trifecta?

Amatte Wellness Community Salida Real a Queretaro 168 Centro, San Miguel de Allende Phone: 415 150 1399 Website: AMATTE.COM.MX Daily 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM closed Monday. email: info@amatte.com.mx Chefs: Drew Deckman and Jesús Vázquez Collazo