Two Breakfasts

During our weekend trip to San Miguel de Allende we had breakfast at two very different places.

On Saturday we had the breakfast buffet at the hotel.  Of course, at such a ritzy hotel we expected the restaurant to be equally expensive.  It might not seem so exorbitant by U.S. standards, but $30 US per person is pretty steep for breakfast in Mexico.  It was very good.  The sweet breads were scrumptious, and there was an assortment of fruit and cheese.  In a chafing dish they had parmesan chicken and carrots with rosemary in another (that was a surprisingly tasty combination).  However, the chilaquiles were nothing special.  In my book chilaquiles should be more than just pouring salsa, crema and cheese over tortilla chips.  As a part of the buffet, you could also custom order anything from the kitchen.  We both ordered French toast.  It was yummy, AND they served a little pitcher of GENUINE maple syrup with it.

On Sunday morning, before checking out of the hotel, we decided to go to someplace less expensive.  On Google Maps we found a place called "Los Farolitos" (The Little Lanterns).  It serves traditional Mexican food, and it received very good reviews. We followed Google Maps directions to get there, and when we didn't see a restaurant, we realized that it must be inside San Miguel's public market building.

Notice the stand outside the market selling Mexican flags and other items for Independence Day.

The restaurant had just opened, and we seated ourselves on stools at the counter.  We ordered "café lechero" (strong coffee with steamed milk) and orange juice to drink.

Alejandro ordered "molletes", a type of open faced sandwich.  A "bolillo" (a crusty roll) is sliced, topped with refried beans and cheese and then grilled.  His "molletes" also had chorizo sausage.

I ordered the "enmoladas", which are like chicken enchiladas except that they are covered in "mole". Not only did I get three "enmoladas", but French fries, salad, refried beans and rice!  The "mole" had a taste quite different from the "moles" served in Mexico City or Oaxaca, but it was delicious.  Alejandro, who is a "mole" connoisseur, had a taste and gave it his approval.

The food was great and very filling, and the bill for the two of us was about one quarter of what we paid at the hotel.

The next time we take a trip to San Miguel de Allende, we will definitely return to "Los Farolitos"!