Bringing you some of the best bakery in San Miguel de Allende, Guadalajara chef, Paulina Carreno, worked her way through famous kitchens across Europe and Mexico (Laja in Valle de Guadalupe; ABaC in Barcelona, Spain; Les Oliviers in Bandol, France and Café des Artistes in Puerto Vallerta), launching Panina in San Miguel de Allende in the middle of the pandemic last year. Why would anyone open a restaurant in the middle of Covid is the question of the year but Chef Paulina Carreno forged ahead and did it. The bakery has been popular ever since they opened late last summer – famous for their sourdough products and their specialty coffee from Veracruz, Puebla and Oaxaca. We’re crazy about bread and Chef Paulina Carreno has worked non-stop to make the quality of her sourdough top notch. She now teaches a Masterclass in sourdough and also Zoom Classes online. https://www.panina.mx/masterclass
Keeping a bakery immaculate in the time of Covid is a top priority and we really like a lot of things about this bakery besides its scrubbed, white exterior. Like everyone, we are mad about lemon so ordering the lemon cream filled doughnut with Pistachios was a given. Did we love it? Like any bakery, the quality tastes very different when you order it at 8:45 AM as opposed to having it at 1:00 PM. We suggest you go in the morning to enjoy the pastry at its peak freshness while it’s still warm.
We ordered the chocolate chip cookies that everyone is raving about and the bagel, which we really liked because it has a subtle hint of sweetness. Also try their corn muffins and their scones. They have a limited but delicious breakfast menu including a Sourdough Waffle with Ice Cream for $110 pesos on the weekends or Shakshuka with a thin layer of potatoes and some pretty incredible flavors.
Thursday Sourdough pizza night is on hold for now in order to focus on their products and expand their regular schedule to open on Tuesdays. You can order the sourdough pizza crust 2 days in advance to bring home for just 50 pesos. If you’re stuck when it comes to ordering in Spanish, ask for Andy, who is in the know when it comes to their entire line of foods. She’s our go-to gal when it comes to finding out what’s new and the product of a new customer service level that’s hard to top.
And now for the best thing on the menu: the Cruffin with chocolate ganache and caramel. Rich and creamy with a deep, dark chocolate flavor and a generous dose of caramel, the Cruffin tops of our list for the best new pastry in SMA this year.
Panina
Stirling Dickinson #3, San Miguel de Allende
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Contact: info@panina.mx
Website: https://www.panina.mx/
Chef: Paulina Carreno
