New Dishes for 2022

These dishes were added to the Best of SMA; all standouts on the list for 2022:

Atrio: the Peking Duck Tacos wrapped in a flour tortilla with sesame seeds and dressed with plum sauce by Chef Arturo Sandoval.

Marsala Cocina con Acentos: the Pork Tomahawk glazed with sake mirin and soy with Vermicelli noodles by Chef Marcela Bolano.

Chilli Billy: Billy famous chili with just a touch of sweet by Chef Billy Lesser.

San Mezcal: Spinach Salad. It tastes different from every other Spinach Salad I’ve had; a secret recipe by Chef Jason Malloff. And did you know, San Mezcal’s Master Mezcalier, Julio Hernandez, is the only Master Mezcalier in SMA and one of two in Guanajuato state. Julio has hand selected every bottle of Mezcal and Tequila for the bar. There are over 125 labels to select from.

If you have a favorite dish you can’t live without, let us know. There are only 51 days left in 2022. Over 121 dishes are already listed. It will come out in early January, 2024.

Atrio Cuna de Allende #3 Daily 1:00 PM – 10:30 PM Chef Arturo Sandoval

Marsala cocina con acentos Calle del Dr Ignacio Hernandez Macias #48 Daily: 1 PM - 12 Midnight except Sunday: 11 AM - 3 PM Tuesday: Closed Chef: Marcela Bolano

Chilli Billy C. Margarita Ledesma 2B, Colonia Guadalupe Phone: 415 197 9802 Tuesday – Saturday: 12:00 Noon – 8:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Monday: Closed Chef: Billy Lesser

San Mezcal Recreo 88, Zona Centro, 37700 San Miguel de Allende, Gto. Wednesday – Saturday: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM Sunday – Monday: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Chef: Jason Malloff Master Mezcalier: Julio Hernandez

A New Casual Favorite: Chilli Billy

Any good burger and chili joint starts with the basics and we think after 1 year, Billy Lesser has them down.

Ask for extra crispy fries (some of the best in town) or fries topped with chili, the chili bowl or dog with all the toppings, Chili Nachos, Corn Dogs – ask for it cooked extra crispy, Shakes: Vanilla, Chocolate or Banana or the star of the show: the burger. For dessert – the best frozen lemon pie made with ghee and a Marias cookie crust. Soon, Frito Chili Pie should be on the menu; a classic southwestern dish- our favorite one from Eischen’s, Oklahoma’s oldest bar.

The trick to eating the Bacon Cheeseburger is not shy away from getting totally messy. Dig into this league of champions; the juicy, organic, all-beef burger topped with molten cheddar cheese and loads of caramelized onions.

If this place were open any earlier, we’d be eating this burger for breakfast.

Chilli Billy C. Margarita Ledesma 2B, Colonia Guadalupe Phone: 415 197 9802 Tuesday – Saturday: 12:00 Noon – 8:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Monday: Closed

Panio's New Lemon Ice Cream

Some planning your life for the next two years food…

Just when I’d given up on trying to find the same delicious lemon flavor of the Flan de Lemon ice cream I use to eat every day at Bing’s Helados in Guadalajara after school in the late 60’s, Panio in SMA has come out with a NEW Lemon Ice Cream. It’s got our vote for the best ice cream ever until we can find a better one; rather unlikely since the last time took fifty-two years.

Heavenly, delightful, creamy, refreshing, smooth, enticingly divine, flavorful, mouthwatering premium Lemon Ice Cream. I finally scooped some in a bowl after I ate half the carton. And, like everything else, Panio will deliver it free.

Panio Atelier du Pain WhatsApp order number: 415 101 3003 Salida a Celaya 67-69 8:00 AM – 9:30 PM Doce 18 at Relox 12 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Panio Correo 29 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Panio La Luciérnaga 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Rooftop Face Painting for Day f the Dead

It was a race against time as family members got their faces painted. We managed to get some pictures in for CheriRae’s grandson Jeremy Day and his beautiful lady in red, Christine Galley Day, before the last drop of light disappeared.

So was the highlight of the day the face painting or the send off meal before the parade? It’s always a toss-up for me when food is involved.

BONOM Club de Petanca

Always a loads-of-fun party when some of our SMA family gets together; in this case on October 23rd at Bonom Club de Petanca, near Bodega Aurrera and Distrito Soma.

At the restaurant there, the food is prepared by one of SMA’s favorite chefs, JJ Castaneda; getting high marks for what is considered to be world street food. As a special treat, Chef JJ Castaneda fixed his famous cabbage rolls for the birthday boy and girl, Rick Thompson and Susan Smith Gist.

Rick remembered the cabbage rolls as being one of the best dishes he had when we ordered a load of small plates to sample one night when JJ was at Fatima as the chef. In fact, JJ is such a great chef, we believe he can cook anything so if you want him to fix something special, ask him a few days before.

We also loved JJ’s burger; the recipe from his friend Chef Gabriel Ordonez, who use to serve this hamburger at Mercado Sano on Saturday mornings. It’s made with a blend of short rib and brisket with a special sauce. There’s a full bar with reasonably priced drinks – from artisanal craft beers to your favorite spirits.

Petanca is the French version of the Italian game of bocce. The best things is you always play for free of you order food or drink. It’s the perfect place for a party; open air and the only place of its kind in SMA to eat, drink and play Petanca. Contact the restaurant to reserve a table in advance.

Love you, Patsy Dubois, and thanks for the one-of-a-kind, very special, birthday cake, which everyone LOVED.

BONOM Club de Petanca Calzada de la Estacion Pzla. De la Estacion 19A De los Estacion F.F.C.C. 37759 San Miguel de Allende Wednesday – Saturday 2:00 PM – 12:00 AM Sunday 12:00 Noon – 8:00 PM Monday – Tuesday Closed Phone: 55 2727 44308 https://www.bonom.mx

Casa Bo

Casa Bo is San Miguel de Allende’s most beautiful shop for Day of the Dead and a lot has happened at Insurgentes 118 A since Claudia Bo reopened the doors on September 8, 2022. The headpieces and other jewelry and costumes have been flying off the shelf as SMA prepares for one of its most festive and sacred holidays: Day of the Dead.

High-quality headpieces, gorgeous clothing, creative jewelry and gifts are all uniquely designed at affordable prices. Every piece is an original; you’ll not find her work in any other store in SMA and that’s what makes them so special.

At a recent cocktail party, SMA came out to preview Claudia Bo’s Day of the Dead collection. Nory Contractor was host, still celebrating a birthday along with Hadley of Casa Proserpina, Terry Kavanagh who is not wearing this beautiful black and gold headpiece to the Cena Negra dinner at Hotel Matilda on November 2nd; she found one that’s a lot more festive, Rhoda Keebler and Sandy Sims along with Lyka, the fabulous violinist who also got into the spirit with some of Claudia’s costumes and face paint.

In addition, Claudia Bo does off-the-rack and custom designs for Baptisms, Quinceaneras, Weddings, Proms and pieces for everyday living.

Casa Bo Claudia Bo Designs Insurgentes 118 A Between Hernandez Macias and Hidalgo Phone: 415 109 3868 Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Special Day of the Dead Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM