Heightening the pleasures of birria. On the roof of Hotel Amatte.

Heightening the pleasures of birria. On the roof of Hotel Amatte.

It’s a spectacular setting. With a view that’s quite different than most San Miguel rooftop restaurants. Plus it’s a less than ten minute taxi ride from prime Centro. Yet I’ve never once seen it busy. I think the prime reason is because the hotel just can’t seem to...
The fave of Instagram foodies is a San Miguel staple.

The fave of Instagram foodies is a San Miguel staple.

The fever started in L.A. Then, with a boost last month from Eric Asimov in the New York Times, it became a frenzy.  I’m talking about birria. And you’re excused if you don’t know what I’m talking about. Because birria may be, not only the most unrecognized, but also...
What? You’ve never tried birria?

What? You’ve never tried birria?

I’m not surprised. I hadn’t tried it until about ten years ago. And I’m a guy who scours the back streets of San Miguel on a constant search for anything new and different. Especially anything Mexican. The problem with birria is it’s a regional dish, a very regional...
Birria and ramen. A marriage made in San Miguel.

Birria and ramen. A marriage made in San Miguel.

“What brought you in to the restaurant?”, said the well-dressed woman at the doorway to the kitchen. “Was it the sign? I hope it was the sign.” Aaah, the power of advertising. Some bold, all upper-case typography. Wrapped inside a sunshine-colored border. And those...
A trip to Jalisco. Without the seven hour drive.

A trip to Jalisco. Without the seven hour drive.

I’m not sure how it escaped the fanatical Mexican foodie. But I had never tasted it before in my life. Never had even heard of it in my life. The dish was karne en su jugo. Or as it’s usually spelled, carne en su jugo. Or, as a language-challenged guy like...