Gardener/Jardinero San Miguel de Allende Mexico Announcements & News

November 21, 2006

Greetings:

    Your VIP Club welcomes ROMANOS RESTAURANT BAR into the club. Romanos, Hernandez Macias #93, 152-7454. Romanos has become a San Miguel landmark restaurant. Now under new ownership, Dave and Patrice Brucia offer the same hearty menu with good-sized portions as beforehand while adding some new entries. Romanos is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. VIP Club members may take 10% off their bill. Romanos does not take credit cards.

    VIP Club member Beatriz provides Tango lessons at her studio, located at Zacateros 21. She offers members a 10% discount when paying for a month's worth of lessons.

    VIP Club member Ross MacDonald wants members to know that beginning November 24 the San Miguel Fitness Center and MacDonalds Casa de La Salud are having their first annual membership drive with many discounts and price reductions for the gym, vitamins, chocolates etc. Ross also will soon have a new website under San Miguel Fitness that will provide discount coupons, a medical referral service and other valuable and diverse services to sanmiguelenses. Do know that the San Miguel Fitness Centers offers 20% off to VIP Club members.

    VIP Club participating boutique and fashion center, "Goldies" has moved off Canal and is now located at Zacateros #19, in the old Clan Destino location. Hours are daily: 10:00-am-6pm, 154-7521.

      Maru Riba, owner of VIP Club participating restaurant La Princesa, on Recreo, would like members to know La Pricesa has a new chef, Angel Flores, who comes with sterling credentials earned at Camino Real Hotel in Mexico City and while in Cancun. La Princesa now offers a new and diverse menu with many various specialties.

     Silvia, of L'invito fame, has opened another local pizzeria with wood burning oven located on the corner of Calzada de la Luz and Calzada de la Aurora. Her other location is Ancha de San Antonio, 32B. Both are open everyday providing home delivery.  Call 154-6228 or 154-1000.

     Members do know, if you are in business or an artist, who might be having an event or even a garage sale, Your Club will be more than glad to post your event in our newsflashes. Yet do know, if your event is time sensitive, we can not guarantee we can send your notice out right away because we only send out newsflashes that are germane to new club business, so get your notice to us early. Do know that the VIP Club website is being viewed more and more by our robust membership <www.vipsanmiguel.com>. Your Club's site's advertising rates are very reasonable.

     Brrrrrr . . . everybody is talking about the weather. All will use more propane. Remember Your Club's discount from Noel Gas. So far the reports are good with many members saving big time on their propane bill. One member, who has three properties, says they paid or their VIP membership just with the savings. Also, with the weather getting colder, the poor out in the campo lack warm clothing. Both Biblioteca Publica and our local post of the American Legion have drives to collect coats and sweaters to give to the less fortunate. Why not look in your closet and permit your older garb to warm the needy.

    Your Club wants to wish our American membership a Happy Thanksgiving. It goes without saying how much we all have to be thankful for here in San Miguel. A belated Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian members.

     Thank you for the good turn out and VIP Club members who attended my reading at the Authors Sala on November 10, and special thanks to Susan Page and the steering committee who were thoughtful enough to invite me to read excerpts from my work, it warmed my heart.

     Please include,  member Arden O'Rourke, in your prayers and good thoughts. Arden, a fine lady, was involved in a horrific auto crash with an 18 wheeler up at the border. Presently she is in a coma in San Antonio, Texas, and she's in trouble. A silver lining might be that, as of today, it has been reported  she has moved her arms and  legs and periodically has opened her eyes before slipping back in unconsciousness. Get back with us, Arden!

     Members and friends, please don't sleep with open flame heaters operating in bedrooms or you just might not wake up!!!

RIP: Elfie Guillen.

     Thank you for your continuous and loyal support.

Your San Miguel VIP Club

• 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.

I’ve written quite a bit about The Ugly American Syndrome. In my columns, print and online magazines, and in every book I’ve written, I’ve mentioned this topic. I get a lot of mail from readers, either praising and agreeing with me or chiding and condemning me.

As of today, I think I will begin cutting Americans some slack, especially American expats in Mexico, regarding The Ugly American Syndrome. My visit to the bank today convinced me that maybe I’ve been too harsh and need to lighten up a bit. I think my readers (the chiders and condemners) in San Miguel de Allende might breathe a collective sigh of relief over this announcement.

What happened is something that should not have surprised or shocked me. I guess I simply have reached the end of my expat rope—at least today. When I get my quarterly royalty checks from my book publishers, I take them to my Mexican bank and deposit them. Because they are drawn on a foreign account in the States, there is understandably a hold on these checks.

I get that and it doesn’t bother me one bit.

But here is what I’ve been told ever since I began depositing royalty checks into this account:

“There will be a two-week hold on this check.”

At the end of two weeks, the wife and I go off to the ATM to check the balance and the funds are not there. We go back to the bank. The bank officer tells us:

“Oh, there is always a three-week hold on foreign checks.”

We wait another week, go to the ATM, and the funds aren’t there. So, we go again to the bank.

“Oh, there is a 22-day hold on all foreign checks.”

The next day, we go to the ATM and the funds are not there. We go into the bank:

“There must be some mistake. There is always a 25-day hold on all foreign checks.”

We wait three more days and go to the ATM to check things out. There are no funds. We drag ourselves into the bank with the wife trying to talk me out of murdering someone.

“Oh my, my! There is always a 30-day hold on all foreign checks.”

In Mexico, as I have written before, nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, is as it seems. Nothing will work with any degree of logic or reason known to the rest of the world. Here two weeks can mean pretty much any amount of time. In Guanajuato, Mexico, two weeks means many things. It can mean three weeks, twenty-two days, twenty-five days, or thirty days. And let me tell you, each bank employee will tell you something different each time you make a deposit. They will look you straight in the eye and tell you whatever comes to their minds, whether it is the truth or not.

What I do not get is just why no bank employee knows how anything works! This brings me to a conversation with an American expat who has lived in Mexico much longer than I have. She said once that what Mexico needs is a Business Manager. These people need a Business Manager in everything that has to do with anything to show them how things work. This is because in all aspects of life, at least in Guanajuato, no one who does anything that has to do with something knows just how it is suppose to work.

Trying to do banking in Guanajuato is not the only thing that doesn’t work. I would love to tell you that this is so but I would be lying.

Once we tried going to the movies. The theater manager was at a party and was having too good of a time to show up with the keys to the box office to sell tickets. She sent word that someone was welcome to come and get the keys and sell tickets, otherwise we would all have to wait.

Can you begin to imagine what would have happened in America when this movie theater manager finally showed up? She or he would have been lynched by the crowd.

Here is the really bad thing. This sort of “Qué Será, Será, whatever will be, will be…” service is vastly tolerated all over this country. The Mexican nationals, at least from my observation, seem to tolerate a level of service from providers that Americans and Europeans would not tolerate for a second!

Only those who have spent time internationally seem to be perturbed by those of their fellow countrymen who settle for or offer this, “The future’s not ours to see, Qué Será, Será…” service.

Well, the next time I see some American tourist or expat acting out The Ugly American Syndrome, I am going to march up to them, pat them on the back, and tell them, “I feel your pain, Bubba!”

by Douglas Bower

Article Source: EzineArticles.com