Camas & Couches San Miguel de Allende Announcements & News San Miguel de Allende Mexico
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"Congratulations on a great
idea for a new website serving San Miguel! ... I think you will do very well
here, serving a large need no one else has addressed."
Carol Schmidt --
www.fallinginlovewithsanmiguel.com |
San Miguel de Allende -- Today is Thursday, February 09, 2012 12:08 at our loyal server in the USAThere are a thousand and one descriptions of San Miguel de Allende written over the past decades. Here's one writer's short take:
San Miguel's reputation as an arts center was established by the founding of the Allende Institute. One of its American founders, Stirling Dickson, came to Mexico as a tourist in the 1930s and fell in love with the city. A painter and engraver, he helped inaugurate the institute in 1950 and was its director until 1987. The lovely building housing the school once was owned by the wealthy Canal familiy. Fountains, arcades and courtyards gardens grace the grounds of the campus, which has extensive classroom space, two are galleries, a theter and a library.
Students from throughout the Americas take advantage of the art and language classes offered, and the institute also functions as a campus abroad for several American and Canadian art schools. The Centro Cultural Bellas Artes, is also known as the Centro Cultural el Nigromante (its official name) and the Centro Cultural Ignacio Ramirez. It is a branch of the wellknown Instituto de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. The impressive building, which dates from the mid-18th century, was once the Convento de la Concepcion and features an immense, tree-shaded courtyard. It offers music, dance and visual arts classes; a bulletin board lists lectures and concerts given both here and elsewhere in the city. Several murals are also exhibited, including one by David Alfaro Siqueirs.
San Miquel is known for the variety and quality of its regionally produced handycrafts. Metalwork -- masks, trays, lanterns, picture frames and decorative objects made of tin, copper, brass, bronze and wrought iron -- and the design of local silversmiths are particularly worth seeking out. Also available are pottery, weaving, sculpture, straw items, hand-loomed cambaya cloth (a material frequently used to make skirts), and folk and traditional art.
The colonial furniture is some of the finest produced in Mexico. Open-air Mercado Ignacio Ramirez, the city market, fills the plaza in front of the Oratorio de San Felipe Neri, and spreads onto the surrounding streets. Livestock and fresh preduce share space with inexpensive everyday items and souvenirs at the cheaper end of the price scale. The Mercado de Artesanias consists of vendor stalls in an alley. Pricier boutiques are scatted throughout the downtown area. Art galleries are concentrated around the main plaza, and exhibit openings are big social events. Two that showcase both regional and national talents are Galeria San Miguel and Galeria Atena. | From the Vip Club Newsletter for San Miguel de Allende with information on restaurant discounts available for club members who have purchased the VIP Club Discount Card
- Alfredo's: 1520072, Inside Posada San Francisco Hotel.
Fine dining, international cuisine, lunch and dinner, 1 - 10pm daily, closed
Mondays. 20% discount for cash.
- BBQ Bob's - Salida de Celaya #6, 152-0807.
(10%) ($100 pesos minimum).
- Berlin - (10%) ($100 pesos minimum, cash)
- Buen Café - Jesus & Cuadrante, 152-5807.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed Sundays. (20%) ($100 peso minimum)
- Bugambilia - Hidalgo #42, 152-0127.
Lunch and dinner. Traditional Mexican dishes. (20%) (no credit cards for
discount).
- Café San Francisco, Posada San Francisco - Plaza
Principal 2, 152-0072.
Courtyard and street side dining, full menu, Mexican cuisine including seafood
and full bar. (20%.)
- Casa Blanca - Hidalgo #34, 154-6070. Famous for crepes,
pizza and international cuisine. (15%) ($100 pesos minimum)
- Casa Montana Hotel Restaurant, Pozos - Jardín
Principal, 01 (442) 293-0032 International and national dishes in the midst of
a one-time old ghost town in a small luxury hotel. (20%)
- Casa Payo - Zacateros #26. 152-7277.
Landmark San Miguel Argentinean steak house. (10%)
- Don Quijote - Prolongación de Pila Seca #55,
152-0807. Bar and Grill, famous ribs and burgers, lunch and dinner. Closed Mondays.
(20% cash, 10% credit cards)
- El Asador Catlán - Km. 9 Salida a Querétaro, 120-8118
Open 1 until 7pm. Closed Mondays. Renowned traditional Spanish fare. 15% cash,
10% credit card
- El Correo Restaurant - Correo #23, 152-4951 Good traditional
Mexican food, full bar, closed Tuesdays. (15% cash, 10% credit card)
- El Puente,Canal 48, 154-8466, open everyday,
breakfast, lunch and dinner, 8:30 - 11:30 pm, featuring seafood and molés.(10%)
- Finnegan's Restaurant, two entrances, off Codo or
off Zacateros. Full menu, live entertainment, Wednesday through Saturday evenings,
with a live Sunday Jazz session from 3-5pm. The menu is a mixed bag including
Mexican dishes and some of international fame. (10%)
- El Tomato, Mesones #62, 151-6057, Open,
Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. All natural food restaurant, mostly
vegetarian dishes and sandwiches, salads fruits and vegetable juices. 10 %, not
valid for daily special.
- Hacienda los Laureles: Open 1-11pm, everyday but Tuesdays.
Indoor and outdoor seating. Full bar, extensive menu traditional Mexican foods,
Sunday buffet. (20%)
- Harry's New Orleans Cafe and Oyster Bar - Hidalgo #12,
152-2645 for dinner reservations. New Orleans Cafe, Fresh sea food, cajun and
creole dishes, extensive wine list, open 7 days a week. (10%, Cash only)
- La Fragua - Cuna de Allende #3, 152-1144
One of the most traditional restaurants in San Miguel, chef Fernando is your
host with special recipes, full bar. Closed Mondays. (10%)
- La Boca: Hernandez Macias #88, open everyday
except Mondays, tasty sandwiches, pastas, soups and salads, along with other
specials. they sport a full bar open 'til midnight weeknights and 1 a.m. (15%)
- L'Escargot, Hernandez Macias #66, 154-9024.
Authentic French cuisine Lunch and dinner, specialties like Beef Wellington,
Oyster Rockefeller and escargot. Closed Mondays. 15% discount.
- La Puertecita - Santa Domingo #75 , 152-5011.
Rated internationally, as one of the top 100 small luxury hotels in the entire
world. (20%) (no discount on buffets)
- La Princesa - Recreo (20%)
- La Toscana, Hernandez Macias #83, 154-9608,
open daily 1 p.m. until midnight, closed Tuesdays. Full bar and menu: Salads,
a variety of pastas with various sauces, beefs, poultry and salmon. Wines from
Italy, Spain, France, Argentina and Chile. 15% discount Cash only. $100 peso
minimum.
- La Vista, Vista Real Hotel Restaurant: Callejón
de Arias #4, 152-3984. Hotel restaurant, International dining room and exquisite
view of San Miguel. (20%)
- L'Invito (Instituto Allende) - Ancha de San Antonio
#20, 152-7333. Serving authentic recipes from the north of Italy great ambience.
(20%) (Instituto Allende)
- Los Famosos De Pozos - Hidalgo #10B, Mineral de Pozos, Guanajuato.
01 442 293 0112, quaint seeting retaurant in the so called ghost town of Pozos
offering a full menu and bar while serving traditional Mexican food.
- Manolo's - Corner of Pila Seca and Zacateros 152-7277
Intimate sports bar, appetizers, full meals, draft beer, Sporting events, satellite
direct TV. (15%)
- Market Bistro & Petit Bar - Hernandez Macias #95,
152-3229. Country French cooking. Imported wines. Daily until 11pm, midnight
on weekends. (15%, $100 peso minimum at bar)
- Mesón Castellano - Salida a Celaya #57.
Spanish restaurant featuring paella. (15%)
- Mesón de San José - Mesones #38, 152-3848.
Located back in a courtyard off Calle Mesones, Homemade soups and fresh salads.
(20%) ($100 peso minimum)
- Olé Olé - Loreto #66, 152-0896. The best
fajitas en the region, (10%)
- Pueblo Viejo - Umarán #6, 152-4977. Breakfast,
lunch and dinner, Traditional Mexican and international dishes. (20%)
- QUANDO foods, vacuum-sealed, frozen, comfort foods easy
to prepare while placed in boiling water. Quando sells gourmet type food products
that includes, soups, main dishes and deserts. Some of their selections are:
Mushroom chicken roll, potato chicken roll, Coq au Vin with risotto, Chinese
ribs, Lisbon, French and Valencia pork dishes, Toas chicken, chicken pot pie,
meat loaf and much-much more. For club members this is a DELIVERY SERVICE ONLY.
The 10% discount offered to members is NOT INCLUDED at retail outlets where they
also market Quando products. There is a 30 peso delivery charge. Members can
call 152-5153, 152-0038 or 044-415-153-3444 for immediate delivery. Ask for Pam
or Cindy.
- Punta Sush Ingo: Hildago #23,
1521619. Combination sushi bar and internet cafe. Open seven days a week. (10%)
- Sierra Nevada - Hospicio #35, 152-0415. San Miguel's
prestigious hotel, all three of its charming restaurants are available.
Also try Sierra Nevada on the park, just below the Chorro, one of San Miguel's
most beautiful settings. 15% cash or credit card (all three locations)
- Tapas y Tinis: Umaran #36, Modern bar and restaurant,
intimate atmosphere, serving tapas, serves late (10%)
- Ten Ten Pie Restaurant: Corner of Cuadrante and Cuna
Allende, Small, clean and resonable prices, local restaurant, open seven days
a week, serving breakfast lunch and dinner, serves late (10%) (20% off spirits)
- Tio Lucas: Mesones #103, 1524996, Hallmark San Miguel
steakhouse, plus. Open seven days, serves late, nightly entertainment. (10%)
- Villa Rivera Hotel Restaurant, Cuadrante #1, 152-2289.
Behind the Parroquia. Inside and outside dining. International menu, wonderful
ambience, Breakfast, lunch and dinner. (20%)
- Villa Mirasol; Inside Villa Mirasol Hotel, open for
breakfast and lunch in garden setting. (10%)
New restaurants are added frequently, and occasionally
restaurants drop out of the program with 60 days notice. Ask for the bi-monthly
restaurant club newsletter at authorized outlets for detailed information on
restaurants and the current list of participants. All participating restaurants
are under contract with the San Miguel Restaurant Club to provide the same fine
service as they would to patrons who walk in off the street. Discounts are waived
during happy hours, 2X1 specials or other special events in which the restaurant
is offering discounts to the public at large.
Notice: Certain
Restaurants and Businesses may have restrictions that do not appear on this website.
Please contact The Restaurant Club directly for a complete list of participating
businesses and restrictions. | THINGS TO DO
Though known as a retirement haven San Miguel offers a wealth of leisure time activities to those that don’t believe retirement means rest. It has a reputation for outstanding hiking and biking, horseback riding and instruction, birding and rock climbing. More conventional pursuits, such as golf and tennis are also at hand and San Miguel has a number of fully-modern gyms and exercise studios.
House and Garden Tour:
One the more popular activities in San Miguel is the weekly tour of the town’s premier residences, if one judges by the over 10,000 visitors who participated in 2005. Over 300 local home owners open their doors on every type of architecture and interior decoration imaginable; a good source of inspiration and ideas for future residents. Tours depart from the Biblioteca on Sundays at noon, tickets can be purchased at the door from 11 am. onwards.
Hot Springs:
The road to Dolores Hidalgo is dotted with hot springs producing warm to hot, mineral-rich water. Facilities range from those of luxurious spas to more traditional Mexican balnearios with gardens, restaurants and picnic areas; and may include any number of pools. The pools themselves can be indoors, under the open sky or in rock-lined grottos, and range in size from small, perfect for soaking, all the way up to Olympic, ideal for laps or swimming.
Fiestas:
While all Mexicans love a party, it seems that no town enjoys a celebration or fiesta more than San Miguel. Local citizens take to the streets with verve and enthusiasm for traditional holidays, to honor local heroes and patron saints or sometimes, it seems, just for the fun of it. There’s always something happening; all marked with music, dance and fireworks. Of note in the upcoming months is the Chamber Music Festival in early August, September’s San Miguelada or ‘running of the bulls’ and week-long Fiesta to honor San Miguel Arcángel and the Brass & Wool Fair and Jazz Festival held in November.
Wining & Dining:
Whether you are an avid gourmand or someone who just likes to pick up food—fast, you will appreciate life in San Miguel. There may be no large chain restaurants, but there is a local cafe on almost every corner, offering tasty, freshly made specialities. And you are sure to discover that the towns premier restaurants can vie with those of larger North American cities for taste, style and presentation.
After dinner, those in search of culture will find that their choices include gallery openings, theater, concerts, dance or foreign and classic film. Those who prefer lifting a glass can do so in everything from hard-drinking cantinas or friendly sports bars and pubs to nightclubs featuring rock, salsa blues or jazz (often live) or elegant rooftop terraces and intimate hotel lounges.
Reprint permission from "Su Casa"--Your Home in San Miguel de Allende
© 2006 Imprint Publishing/Advertising
Telephone in San Miguel: 152-0493
| Another interesting perspective from Mexonline
Located 60 kilometers north of Queretaro, the colonial gem of San Miguel de Allende, population 80,000, is situated on a hillside facing the Laja River and the distant Guanajuato Mountains. Declared a national monument in 1926, San Miguel is a picturesque city of arched colonial mansions, flower-filled patios, and winding, terraced cobblestone streets. It is particularly beautiful in March, when flowering jacaranda trees are in bloom. Roof top views and gardens of this colonial city It is Mexico's most celebrated artists' community, and has been luring artistically-inclined Mexicans and foreigners (about 3,500 Americans and Canadians) for decades.
Instituto Allende, founded in 1951, is an intellectual center and arts academy of renown. There are also many other institutes focusing on arts, literature, and language. Despite this Anglo invasion, San Miguel is very Mexican village. The city boasts a thriving cultural and entertainment scene. Many events (plays, lectures, art classes) are in English.
The renowned San Miguel Music Festival (featuring Mexican and international artists) happens each December. A city with six patron saints and dozens of churches, San Miguel hosts a full calendar of religious festivals throughout the year. The town's biggest bash is San Miguel Arcángel, a celebration honoring the town's chief patron saint. The event includes a running of bulls through city streets, traditional dancers, and lots of merriment. It is held each September 29th.
El Jardin, the city's main plaza (zocalo) is a great starting spot. You can't miss the city's landmark, La Parroquia, the pink, gothic church on the main plaza. La Parroquia on the main plaza is as recognizable an icon for San Miguel as the Eiffel Tower is for Paris. It is one of a few features that distinguish San Miguel from the state's other colonial city attraction, Guanajuato.
For shopping, the city boasts some of Mexico's best craft shops and fine art boutiques. Variety of merchandise is exceptional, as is the workmanship. Its dining scene is top notch. Nouvelle Mexican cuisine, plus a diverse assortment of international dining options have given San Miguel a reputation for having the best "small town" dining in Mexico.
Most of San Miguel's sightseeing highlights are clustered around the compact downtown area. This is a wonderful city for aimless wandering along its narrow cobbled lanes. One of the best city views is from the town's Mirador, located on a hill to the southeast of the city center. At the foot of the hill is El Chorro, which spouts a natural spring where the city's women come to do laundry. Further along is Parque Juárez, a shady green belt with ponds, fountains, and benches. If you are looking for an authentic Mexican town with international flair, centuries old history, and a relaxing almost peaceful feeling, San Miguel de Allende is the vacation (or retirement spot) for you. |
Major Regulatory Agencies for the State of Guanajuato with names of Officials
where indicated |
| Descripción |
| Presidencia
Municipal de San Miguel de Allende
José Jesús Correa Ramírez |
Contraloria
Municipal
José Antonio López Ortíz
|
Desarrollo
Integral de la Familia ( DIF ) Municipal
Gabriela Bribiesca Rocha
|
Dirección
de Desarrollo Social y Humano
José Luis Téllez Santana
|
Subdirección
de Desarrollo Rural y Agropecuario
Juan Rodríguez Vázquez
|
Subdirección
de Desarrollo Social y Humano
Mario Carballo Carlva
|
Dirección
de Desarrollo Urbano y Ordenamiento Territorial
Angel Gastelum Cadena
|
Coordinación
de Administración Urbana y Regulación de Usos de Suelo
Francisco Javier Villegas Sánchez
|
Ventanilla
de Licencias y Permisos de Construcción
Alberto Cervantes Matehuala
|
Coordinación
de Conservación del Patrimonio Histórico y Cultural
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Auxiliar
Centro Histórico
Julio César Grimaldi Zuñiga
|
Coordinación
de Planeación Estratégica y Ordenamiento Territorial
Jesús Téllez Molina
|
Coordinación
Técnica
Zeferino Gutiérrez Grimaldi
|
Estudios
y Proyectos de Equipamiento Imagen e Infraestructura
Jesús Tellez Molina
|
Coordinación
de Regulación de Asentamientos Humanos Irregulares, Ejidales Predios Agricolas
y Ganade
Javier Rángel Arellano
|
Auxiliar
de Asentamientos Humanos
Juan Manuel Ramírez Regoytia
|
Subdirección
de Desarrollo Urbano
Francisco Javier Villegas Sánchez
|
Dirección
de Educación y Cultura
Verónica Agundis Estrada
|
Casa de la
Cultura
Myrna Verónica Salinas Guerrero
|
Departamento
de Educación
Jesús Ledesma Hernández
|
Dirección
de Medio Ambiente y Ecología
Donald Wayne Patterson
|
Coordinación
de Gestión Ambiental
Erick Morales Montes
|
Administrator
de Panteones
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Encargado
de Parques y Panteones
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Coordinación
de la Prevención y Control de la Contaminación
Ana Karina Yael Villa Ayala
|
Coordinación
de Normativa Ambiental
Blas Huerta Carrillo
|
Encargado
de Promoción Ambiental
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Encargado
de la Estación de Transferencia
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Dirección
de Obras Públicas Municipales
Jorge Zavala Ramírez
|
Coordinación
de Maquinaria Pesada
Jorge Montes González
|
Coordinador
Administrativo A
José Martín Rico
|
Subdirección
de Obras Públicas Municipales
Francisco Peralta Elizondo
|
Coodinación
de Construcción y Supervición
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Jefe de Brigada
Topografíca
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Jefe de Precios
Unitarios
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Coordinación
Administrativa
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Jefe de Expedientes
Técnicos
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Jefe de Solventación
de Observaciones
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Coordinación
de Maquinaría Pesada
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Subdirección
Operativa
Jorge Flores
|
Dirección
de Seguridad Pública Municipal
Daniel Adrián Trujillo García
|
Subdirección
Academica
Hugo Fabián Barrón Martínez
|
Subdirección
Administrativa
Juan Carlos Godínez Arzola
|
Subdirección
Operativa
José Luís Olguín Gómez
|
Dirección
de Servicios Públicos Municipales
Luis Francisco López Chávez
|
Administración
del Restro Municipal
Eduardo Manuel Villegas Juárez
|
Alumbrado
Público
Luís Felipe Luna Morales
|
Departamento
de Limpia
José Gilberto M. González Valero
|
Mercados
y Comercio
Ángel Martín Saavedra
|
Subdirección
de Servicios Públicos Municipales
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Administración
del Rastro Municipal
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Alumbrado
Público
Emisael Espinosa
|
Jefatura
de Limpia
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Mercados
y Comercio
desconocido o ya no ocupado
|
Dirección
de Transito y Transporte Municipal
José Samuel Daniel Mercadillo Escobedo
|
Comandante
Administrativo
Roberto Prado Baeza
|
Comandante
Operativo
José Luís García Osornio
|
Jefe de Transporte
Municipal
Jorge Salas Luna
|
Juridico
de Transito y Transporte
Juan Víctor Manuel González Bautista
|
Dirección
de Turismo, Fomento Económico y Relaciones Internacionales
Francisco Peyret García
|
Atención
a Inversionistas y Mejora Regulatoria
Oscar Baltazar Arteaga Gil
|
Coordinación
de Promoción de Inversiones y Gobierno Integral
Julián Roberto Villela Ríos
|
Coordinación
de Relaciones Internacionales
Fabiola García Lasierna
|
Enlace de
Empleo y Capacitación
Ma. Auxilio Ángeles Olalde
|
Enlace Institucional
y Promoción Productiva
Tanía Noriz Martínez
|
Instituto
Municipal de la Mujer
Araceli Martínez Sánchez
|
Oficialia
Mayor Administrativa
José Alfredo Orduña Rodríguez
|
Departamento
de Informática
Leopoldo Barcenas Hernández
|
Pensión Municipal
Jorge Armando Ramírez Capitán
|
Recursos
Humanos
Cirila Margaíz Ramírez
|
Recursos
Materiales
Laura Valadez Sánchez
|
Protección
Civil
José Alan Álvarez Flores
|
Coordinación
Municipal de Desastres
Ramiro Arroyo Guerrero
|
Secretaría
del H. Ayuntamiento
Christopher Thomas Finkelstein Franyuti
|
Departamento
de Fiscalización y Control Municipal
Rafael Torres Sánchez
|
Departamento
de Jurídico
José Ramón Correa González
|
Secretaría
Particular
Tomas Federico Ramírez
|
Sistema de
Agua Potable y Alcantarillado de San Miguel de Allende
Alfonso Sautto
|
Tesorería
Municipal
José Eduardo Adrián Soria Cruz
|
Departamento
de Catastro
Gustavo Arellano Arroyo
|
Departamento
de Egresos
Mónica Barajas
|
Departamento
de Ingresos
Jorge López Páez
|
Departamento
de Predial
Saúl Bautista Espinosa
|
Programas
Especiales
José Luis Pérez Arredondo
|
| | |