Across the street from the San Angel Inn's ER is this quaint, but pretty basic fonda, a safe heaven for hospital personnel and hospital visitors to get away from the scenes of a clinic. From entering the space, a tall ceiling featuring an open kitchen from which the chef cooks and interacts with her patrons, one finds a place to rest and focus on yummier things for a while.
The food leisurely leaves the kitchen on the hands of busy and nervy servers who mostly run around rather literally, making sure the diners do not get too desperate and restless for their food. Even though the dishes take a long time, and I really mean a long time, to arrive at your table after ordering, the food quells any impatience that might have risen during this hunger-filled wait. While the food does not blow minds, it is very satisfying, specially when coming from those hard hospital days. There is a very commendable cazuela, filled with chistorra and cheese, which I believe to be gruyere, served with warm flour tortillas, which altogether is a meal onto itself. The main dishes, while not expertly handled or cooked, yield savory and sating flavors, and you might even get a visit from Doña María, the chef/owner of the place, to check on food and service.
This is one of those restaurants from which not much is expected and not much is done to try to be one of the best eateries in the area, but it does serve as a break for difficult days, and maybe that's what this place is intended to be. The chef/owner enjoys cooking her food and serving it to her everyday patrons, and I have no doubt the restaurant is a true reflection of who this Spanish lady is. A solid 3 1/2 star restaurant given a 4 star review because we all need a place to receive a hug, or a homey plate of food, when times call for it. read more