San Miguel Jack: Insiders' Social Scene

Around Town: Word via my ‘coconut wireless’ is that one of San Miguel's favorite couples, Susan and Rick Peterson, will return for an extended stay in early June. While away in Rancho Mirage, she has exercised her green thumb, tending to her extensive vegetable and flower garden, while he’s been playing Ginger Baker, drumming on a super blues video project at 3M Studios. Chandra Fernández and partner Jay, along with friends, celebrated her 58th birthday back in April at the David Bowie Tribute concert at Sunset Theatre, and she played in the CDMX sandbox with Kris & Eric Hoffhines.

Sherry & Woody McHarg, she, the AAA Diamond Award-winning Owner/Chef of the famed "Rose Inn" back in Ithaca, NY, are back home in San Miguel; after their trip to Paris and relaxing Viking River Cruise last month. Attorney Uriel Negete reports he has been busy with brisk RE sales and a heavy load on his Lawyer's agenda. If the name sounds familiar, it's probably because you know him as the affable General Manager of the Art Garden Cafe & Casa Camelia down on Vergel in San Antonio. His real estate and legal advice is just a phone call away, 52 415 151 1341, or visit him, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Art Garden Cafe. 

If you'd like to honor a loved one or pet, Doug Craig has the answer for a plaque in Parque Guadiana: 414 152 2032. The lovely Linda Brooks and Diana Hornig of Topanga Rugs fame were spotted enjoying a leisurely ladies' lunch at Il Grissini.

Want the freshest of the fresh in everything herb & veggie. There is, of course, the iconic Mercado Sano Saturday Market, lest you forget, Deborah Richard's, Chinaberry Farms, suppliers to top restaurants around town, (35 mins out of town), and watch for their pop-up markets in town. Then there is the Senderos Farmers Market (Sundays 10:00am-3:00pm), about fourteen minutes out of town, near Valle de Los Senderos. Speaking of fresh, if your garden needs some TLC or an entire re-design, call Jhonny Gutiérrez at Artful Gardens, offering free in-garden consultations. If you are trotting down Aldama, photo ops are always welcome with Leo and his donkey “Pepe” along with the sweetest rose lady in town, Señorita Lupita. A little tourist tip, propina, makes for a good feeling of love, peace, and gratitude. Do yourself a ‘flavor’, take a stroll down restaurant row, and pop into Panio, Hotel Casona, Lolita’s, and Silveyra's - it’s slow out there  they’d appreciate your business.

Music is everywhere: El Monarco is no longer. The owner folded her tent and left town. The good news is, former EM/GM and our music man around town, Frankie Cruz-Aedo, has landed as Manager over at Raindog Cantina… expect good vibes. Cafe Rama (reopens 6/16 after renovations) Liah Alonso rocks it out; keep your eyes peeled for her dynamic gigs. A regular guest during improve nights at Johnny’s Piano Bar on Mesones 101.

The Restaurant Scene: Who’s counting restaurants in town 685? And still no Michelin Stars. The Phantom Gourmet stirs the pot over at SMA Food Porn. General Manager, Julio Sanchez Mejorada and Eduardo Osuna, F&B Director/Executive Chef, welcomes one and all to the nuevo, just opened Clevia Hotel by Marriott Bonvoy. This month's Top Three San Miguel Jack Restaurant picks are: Il Mercantino di Bella Italia, Chef Jorge Avendaño's new rooftop, Altar & Il Grissini (Yes, that’s in City Market). Hip hip hooray! The Tea Room opened last month thanks to Ryan McNab and partner Eve Mickendrow. Have a nice cuppa, scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, sausage rolls, an English Quiche, and maybe a watercress sandwich. Salida y Celaya 6 -2nd floor.  Another amazing find, this time in Guadiana, just north of Parque Guadiana on Potranca, is Luxury Boutique Hotel & Restaurant Casamada, with its lovely breakfast and lunch courtyard and just eight, but lusciously decorated rooms.  General Manager Arturo Hans is at your service. For fans of Casa Giovanni & Marina, they have been on a summer sabbatical in Italy, but will reopen June 28th. 

The last word: It’s a crazy world we live in these days. And helping us stay connected are Humberto, brother Jorge, and the staff at all their multiple La Connexión locations. Muchas gracias compadres! There is a lovely saying from Africa, “Ubuntu…I am because we are.”

Makes you feel like we are all in this together. Viva San Miguel de Allende, México, and all who live here. As Ringo would say, “Peace & Love”.