by Susan Knight York

Tucked away inside a small hotel on Cardo is my number one discovery this year: the Mexican breakfast buffet at Agua Santa Hotel Boutique at Cardo #10.

I’m laughing as I tell you how many people begged me not to write about this place; keeping it one of SMA’s best kept secrets. Too late because I was so excited about the experience after spending 2 hours on a rooftop in the SMA sunshine, I quickly messaged at least 20 people in the first 20 minutes I was home.

As Silvia Cadena was cooking campo style food at the Agua Santa Hotel Boutique for the past 4 years, we also missed the 7 years when she was operating her own restaurant, Hidalgo 50, which was obviously overlooked by many food lovers in SMA including me. Now, it’s time to play catch up.

While Chef Michael Coon and I were busy oohing and ahhing over the delights of her Abuela chocolate mole with chicken, Huevos con Salsa Tatamada with beans and overflowing plates of Suadero, Mexican customers were going back to the buffet table for scrambled eggs, pancakes and French toast; clearly foods that define an American breakfast. It wasn’t until later that I learned that her French toast has an overwhelmingly, delicious custard center so, of course, we’re going back on Sunday for Round 2. I’ll give you a more comprehensive look at the buffet next Sunday as I was so surprised at the flavors of some of her main dishes below.

After all these years in Mexico, tatemada is a relatively new culinary term for me – it means fire-roasted or charred to achieve a smoky flavor; the Maillard reaction that creates hundreds of new flavor compounds, developing rich aromas and tastes. I first heard the term used on a road trip in Guadalajara last year when I ate at Birriería Chololo. The tatemada flavors there were astounding so I’m finally done looking – at least for now – for the best taste in Mexico; I found it.

Today, the depth of flavors in the Huevo con Salsa Tatemada and beans made me wonder why I hadn’t discovered this dish a long time ago because I would have been eating it every week, it’s that good. Right now, anything tatemada is a first choice.

The rooftop at Agua Santa Hotel Boutique is spacious, with beautiful views of SMA including a side view that will update you on the progress of the Waldorf Astoria hotel.

Rarely do I ever write about a restaurant until after a third visit but this place was too much like a Christmas gift, patiently waiting to be unwrapped. The biggest surprise was the price. At just $295 pesos or $16.41 USD, this is, hands down, the best Sunday breakfast deal in SMA. The buffet is served every Sunday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Missing the experience of Silvia Cadena’s cooking for more than a decade taught me one thing: there are still so many secrets to discover in SMA and the best ones appear when you’re not looking.

Happy Holidays!