It is very hard to find properly cooked eggs, especially in Mexico. Overcooked eggs plague restaurant kitchens small and large, even though the Mexican breakfast diet includes this wonderfully adaptable ingredient in one way or another. This spot located in Querétaro's historic downtown tries to provide relief against the malady that has long affected the citizens of this country.
To be honest, my experience with Matte started out poorly, and what is now a 4-star review was originally not conceived as such. The space is tiny, with only 2 small tables and a couple of sofas. Though thoughtfully designed, the space may feel uncomfortable at times and the table inevitably feels crammed when you try to sit with more than one companion. Coffee arrives tasting over-extracted, a hint of a metallic taste probably because the water used was too hot. When the server takes our order, she is unable to properly explain the dishes or how they are composed. I braced myself to go through a miserable experience.
Then the eggs arrived and everything changed. The omelette and other egg dishes looked pillowy, with a yellow and orange-like hue painting the pewter flatware. The eggs embody the essence of the coffeeshop: distinctively quaint. The omelette was properly cooked, still soft in the middle and good texture on the outside without being overcooked. Mind you, this is all a one man show. The person behind the bar makes lattes and scrambled eggs to order. I truly hope the eggs are a fixture of the cafe and not the person.
Cafe Matte could improve on many levels, but the eggs alone make this a nice morning stop when taking a stroll in El Centro. read more