La Mezcaleria SMA — Restaurant in San Miguel de Allende

I recently had the incredible opportunity to embark on a mezcal tasting adventure at Venencia Restaurant that completely transformed my perception of this exquisite spirit. Hosted by a passionate and knowledgeable mescal maestro, Mario Benetiz, the experience took me on a journey through the rich history, diverse flavors, and captivating traditions of mezcal production.

The rustic wooden table adorned with elegant copitas (small tasting glasses) and fragrant herbs created an atmosphere of authenticity and anticipation. Mario, a mezcal expert, with a deep connection to the spirit's origins, greeted us warmly and set the stage for an educational and engaging evening.

The tasting began with a brief introduction to mezcal's origins, emphasizing its roots in Mexican culture and artisanal craftsmanship.

What truly set this tasting apart was Mario's ability to connect the dots between tradition and innovation. Through anecdotes and anecdotes, we learned about both age-old production techniques and modern advancements that have elevated the mezcal-making process. Witnessing the delicate dance between tradition and progress left me with a profound appreciation for the artisans who preserve mezcal's authenticity while pushing its boundaries.

We concluded our evening with a meal of Venencia's amazing Oaxacan tapas and entrees, rounding out the evening perfectly.

In conclusion, this mezcal tasting and dining experience at Venencia was an extraordinary journey. For anyone seeking an immersive and enlightening exploration of Qaxacan food and mezcal's rich tapestry, I wholeheartedly recommend embarking on this adventure. It's a voyage that will linger in your senses and memories long after the last drop has...

It is such a waste that the service at this place was absolutely terrible as both food and vibe actually deserves credit. The night started with the waiter & bar-chef refusing to offer a taste of the house wine (we were already seated and the house wine was already opened). A spanish-speaking gentleman at a neighbouring table had taken notice and had to explain to the waiter that this is something that is done everywhere. Reluctantly the waiter came back with a taste of the wine but without a word or a smile. We were already about to leave at that point but decided to give the oaxacan food menu a taste first, as this was what initially drew us to the place. The food was indeed good so we decided to stay, but not once during the rest of the night did the waiter share a smile or do anything other than taking orders when asked to come. To say that he didnt seem to understand his role in bringing some good energy is an understatement. When we finally asked for the bill we noticed that we had been charged 3 courses we didnt take. Once the waiter came back with the correct bill he didnt even say sorry - just looked irritated as the rest of the evening and put the bill in the middle of the table seemingly making a statement of sorts. Worth noting is that we love connecting with restaurant staff, and during our 6 weeks in Mexico never once came close to service this bad. The chefs in the kitchen really deserves better front runners than this as the food was very good, especially the roasted broccoli and...

We stumbled upon this small gem accidentally after a miscommunication with the rest of our group but we are so thankful because of the amazing food, drinks , and atmosphere. Upon arriving, there was an artist singing in the background while we looked over the menu. We started out with the mezcal flight and found out during our tasting that most of the drinks served are made/sourced from Guanajuato locally. Each one tasted so different and the bar tender helped explain to us what the undertones we're for each. The chorizo Tlayuda came along and it was HUGE. Thankfully we only asked for one as we had also ordered entrees. My husband had the filet with steamed vegetables that were so tender and I had pork belly mole with pickled cabbage. I have never tasted a mole like this one that melted in my mouth. I had their cheesecake as dessert with jam and a crumble. I melted from happiness at each bite of my meal. To accompany my meal after the earlier flight, I had a traditional mezcalina with the most delicious rim.

We ended up meeting the owners of the restaurant who were so incredibly kind with suggestions for local food favorites and what to do. We ran into them the next day on the streets and were so surprised that they remembered us. We will definitely come back again and recommend this place to...