Introducing Mesa Merrakesh Restaurant

Published July 20, 2024

by Charles Woollett

I’ve said it before ~ It’s not easy being a Chef, period! It’s a grueling business, with relentless hours and food/ingredient hearding, being one of its many challenges. Local Chef JJ Castaneda needs little introduction, as he has been in San Miguel de Allende in various different gastronomical capacities and venues over the years.

He is originally from El Paso, Texas. But he studied at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Having the good fortune to work for Chef Roland Passot as a line cook (entremetier) at the renowned Five Star French restaurant, La Folie in SF. A very tough kitchen with the highest standards in the business, a damn good place to get your learn on. JJ also was lucky enough to meet the legendary French Master, Chef Paul Bocuse, the grandfather of Nouvelle cuisine who would drop-in to La Folie occasionally.

His latest creation, is a reincarnation of his former self and restaurant by the same name, Mesa Merrakesh. Now as Owner Chef and self-confessed, one man band operating out of a garage with a meager three tables with seating for twelve, allows him to offer individualized service and food prepared, methodically, if but slowly non-the-less, a La minute. It’s his version of a Pop-

Up on Refugio, San Antonio Norte aka “Mesa Marrakesh II”.

The name itself evokes, everything Moroccan and the tastes don’t lie ~ home made fresh pita bread, dips of hummus, cous cous, garbanzo beans, salads, grilled artichoke, chicken & lamb kebabs ~ see the full menu to be transported to a Bedouin tent in the desert, with aromas wafting over a charcoal fire, dare to imagine.

The PG dined happily with eleven other guests this evening and the consensus was, we all left happy, well fed and watered. So it was easy to award Silver Spoons. ‘An emotional stand out, good eats, cooked from the heart and just a feel-good place.’ So it’s true, size isn’t everything…another example of the hidden culinary gems to be found in this little Shangri-La SMA. Reservations are a must, best by calling or texting: 415-117-6322