The Restaurant

We had a great dining experience last night right here in San Miguel de Allende. We had heard so many good reports about a new restaurant at Sollano 16 called The Restaurant that we decided to give them a try. I've always loved this beautiful patio space but now it has been transformed into a contemporary Mexican restaurant decorated with restraint. It has a sliding glass roof which can be opened on a nice night. Last night was a little windy so it was closed but that did not detract from the ambiance at all. This is looking from the interior of the restaurant toward the front door.Another look inside the restaurant as it turned later in the evening.But what you really want to know is, "How was the food?" Excellent!

These were the crab cake appetizers on a bed of guacamole. Some of the best crab cakes I've ever had. Ned ordered them and I ordered ravioli stuffed with goat cheese and squash blossoms on a bed of huitlacoche. The ravioli was also outstanding.
Ned had a duck breast entree.......
and I had a red snapper entree.We had a wonderful Argentinian wine, a Alamos Malbec Mendoza produced by the Bodega Catena Zapata.

The spring rolls that came with Ned's entree were so outstanding that he mentioned to the Chef, Donnie Masterson, who strolled by our table, that they should be served as an appetizer. The Chef said that they served them as a small plate in the bar. So if you don't want the full dining experience you can head to the back of the restaurant and enjoy a drink and a small plate or two.Donnie Masterson is not a newcomer to the restaurant scene although he looks young. He was co-chef with Jody Denton at Azie in San Francisco. His plan is to have a seasonally changing menu featuring local produce from organic growers, ranchers and diary farmers.

I think he has a winner in The Restaurant. The food was delicious with fresh flavors in every bite. It was beautifully plated but it wasn't fussy. The wine list looks excellent and the service was smooth. We will be going back!