La Doña de San Miguel — Restaurant in San Miguel de Allende

So disappointing. I was really looking forward to eating here because of the reviews and recommendations...but boy, was it a let-down. We came in around 5pm and there were very few diners. We ordered the corn soup as a starter, the slow cooked short rib w/cauliflower, the shrimp taco, and a side of potatoes. Thank heavens we decide to split these dishes, because as it was, we ended up paying over $70 for a meal that I truly regretted eating. The corn soup was lukewarm; actually cold just after arriving at the table. It tasted just like it looked...like flour and water mixed into a paste- ugh. Why isn't the chef tasting his dishes? The corn/bacon/onions that they poured the "cream" onto looked fresh and bright; but there was no getting around the bland, thick/gloppy taste of the liquid they used as the soup's base. The short rib tasted delicious- but it too was cold, as was the cauliflower. I don't think it was meant to be a cold plate? The shrimp tacos were fried, and they tasted just okay - but the color was so off-putting (grey breadcrumbs?), and was also cold. Cold fried food is just not very exciting when eating out at a restaurant. Again- where is the chef, sending out these plates all together and all of them cold?? The crisp tortillas they used tasted stale (the same as additional ones in the basket- tasted like something that came in plastic from a store-- not freshly made). The side of potatoes- cold as well. Sauce on them was okay but perplexing that there was such a small bowl of them. It all seemed way over-priced for Mexico. At the end of the meal, I kind of felt sick because none of the flavors I had just consumed gave me a sense of warmth and well-being. I probably would have felt fine if I had just eaten the short-rib... Service was excellent. Servers were quick, warm and very attentive. So we of course tipped them; it's not their fault that the food was so not up to par with the prices. It was our first bad meal in SMA after living here...

Note: I haven't eaten here- only enjoyed drinks. Truly excellent bar service. My second time there tonight- this time with my husband. We live out of town, and last time I went without my husband (was buying his birthday present). Unfortunately I don't know the names of either of the three people that provide top customer service experience. But the bartender that was there last time was kind enough to endure my efforts at planning a Thanksgiving/birthday dinner for my husband without ever having had to plan turkey for 33 people. Several phone calls (mom and sisters) and random anecdotes later, I was very pleased with my experience. Tonight, one waiter (manager, I don't really know his position) remembered me from November of 2019. It's now February of 2020. Props to him for caring about the people that wander into the bar. Tonight we stopped there before we made our drive back home so I could show my husband where I went to make my trip more worth it when I came to get his surprise birthday present. Different bartender, more drinks consumed- oops (Valentine's Day). Another excellent (even incredible) experience. We decided to skip our plans to leave in time to make it to our favorite restaurant/bar back home (Querétaro) and stay at La Doña at the bar. Super good idea. Although I'm sick and have had almost no voice for two full days, the drinks were too good for me not to have the need to tell stories. We learned and shared about new whiskeys, vodkas, gins, and how to make a quality, extra dry, dirty martini. We learned and shared different brands to try that may change our minds about how much we dislike certain spirits. In short, sit at the bar for drinks made right, conversation done right, and most importantly for me: service up to my standards. (Beautiful...

The resturant is very beautiful inside/out and the view on the top-level dining is, as well, beautiful. I enjoyed the timing of late afternoon to evening of sun set experience, offcourse, with the view of the cathedral churches in the background. The service of everyone was spectacular and the chef artistic decoration touch on the dishes was decorative/exemplary. Everyone was lovely no matter what; they awaited on you and serving you as you wish. Menu prices for food/beverage etc are on the high end due to its classy nature. One thing that disappointed me was what we ordered; the five Shrimp dish with fine noodle on the base. This, first off, shrimp was hard and unpealed vice soft, large, flavorful and peeled/cleaned. The noodle was excessively salty be it the sauce or whatever. Should've been smooth. The positioned umbrella was stashed away at some point and leaving us exposed to direct sun vice shade. Upon asking, they claimed may get windy...hmmm, no wind present...oh well. Our appetizer was excellent (cheese soaked dish with chilli). Our next dish of pork rump oven baked with bone was not the best. It did look that appealing with Purselane on top. I expected more but my girlfriend didn't mind the taste with undress roll. I could care less for the ton of gravy covering the meat or odor. I wasn't impressed at all. Hoping this post would enable them to revisit and improve food quality prior to serving to the...