San Miguel’s Very Best Favorite Restaurants.

San Miguel’s Very Best Favorite Restaurants.

No, I’m not going to tell you which restaurants they are. You’re going to tell me. For it’s time again for the SMART awards, the annual event where I ask Don Day in SMA readers to share with me their very best favorite restaurants. SMART stands for San Miguel de...
What really is the purpose of a restaurant review? 

What really is the purpose of a restaurant review? 

A few…maybe more than a few…years ago, Cheryl Young, a writer and friend of mine was going to a lunch at a new restaurant called Aperi. As it was a “ladies lunch” and as I wasn’t invited, I asked if she would write about it on my blog; she agreed. A few days ago,...
Bhaji. As good as ever. 13 years later.

Bhaji. As good as ever. 13 years later.

I still fondly remember Bhaji’s first home in San Miguel, a classy and cosy little spot hidden behind heavy velvet curtains on Calle Correo. I loved going there, especially with a group of good friends. Indian cuisine is like that. Better when shared. Best when...
A server makes a dinner very special. At Serrano 82. 

A server makes a dinner very special. At Serrano 82. 

A great restaurant is a combination of many things. First of course, for almost everyone, is the food. Second in importance for me is value, what I get for the price that I pay. Third comes service, being treated efficiently, gracefully and respectfully. And then...
Chef Pablo. Proud. Passionate. Polished.

Chef Pablo. Proud. Passionate. Polished.

Back in December 2021, I said to Don Day’s Wife, “A pizza parlor with no pasta and no delivery. Not a snowball’s chance in hell it’ll survive. I give it one year, absolute max!” The place I was talking about was called Bennu. They recently celebrated their third...
We like it. At Sakura.

We like it. At Sakura.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him pick up an empty plate from a table without saying the words. “Did you like it?”  He, of course, almost always, gets a positive response and, almost always, he beams. The guy I’m talking about is Gerardo. A guy we call Gerry. Not...