Restaurant Review: Sunday Brunch @ Fonda San Miguel

My husband has been raving about Fonda San Miguel for ages, vowing to take me one day.
The opportunity came when we celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary and he took me to the famed Sunday brunch.
Remember when I wrote my tips for eating out?  I made special mention that authentic, regional or interior Mexican food is traditionally gluten-free, because the traditional maïz or corn meal was used.
Fonda San Miguel is one of those places and I was reassured by their servers and chefs that most of their items are gluten-free.
My husband, who called ahead for a reservation, was also reassured several times of this fact and as a result we were able to have an enjoyable and fortunate dining experience.  (Note: reservations are recommended because Sunday Brunch fills up fast!)

Buffet plate clockwise from left -
ensalada de nopales (cactus salad with fresh cheese and onion),
spinach salad,
migas con huevo (pieces of fried corn tortilla and eggs, scrambled together),
frijoles negros (black beans),
and a chile relleno (green chile pepper stuffed with cheese)

Fonda San Miguel is in itself a cultural masterpiece.  The interior is decorated in a traditional hacienda style some would find eclectic, with heavy wooden doors, heavy hand carved wooden and metal  furniture, punched tin accents, regional artwork, painted murals on the stuccoed walls, heavy with plants and greenery like a rainforest.  There are so many details to see wherever your eyes take you.  You can find various nooks and crannies to snuggle into and people-watch as you sit in mismatched chairs and tables that somehow all seem to work so well together they look like very well thought out sets.
And the food!

Cranberry juice

You begin with meat dishes cooked in sauces like mole.  Next there are bowls of refreshing salads made with the freshest fruits and veggies, topped with seasonings like fresh mint.  Traditional rice and beans, yes, but also chiles stuffed with fresh cheese, rajas or strips of green chile peppers either plain with cream or stuffed and cooked into tamales.
In all honesty, we had to go over everything once to decide what to get.
Like a typical buffet you can serve yourself for the most part and for the messier things like mole there is a chef, and you get a clean plate each time you walk up.
I had a good taste of everything I eyed but I think hands down the best part was the dessert.  There was a  good amount of different things, not just cake or cake-y stuff and cookies.  I had crème brûlée for the very first time ever and fell in love.  Something about that burnt sugar!  The chocolate mousse was also thick, silky and so heavenly.
Of course it being Sunday, we couldn't stuff ourselves or try a Mimosa before church.  That and I tend to eat a small amount so I didn't exactly make our trip worth it.
That said, I have to not that this place is expensive!  So I recommend going for a special occasion to make sure it's worth it.

Dessert plate clockwise from left -
coconut macaroon
chocolate mousse with whipped cream
citrus salad with mint
crème brûlée with a chocolate dipped strawberry

The chefs serving all speak Spanish and English so can strike up a little conversation about food, where you are from, or how long they have been working there.  Everyone I saw looked very happy working there and was very friendly and talkative with all the customers.

If you are new to authentic Mexican cuisine, be sure to take advantage of this and ask exactly what is gluten-free.  

When I say "new to authentic Mexican food" I mean more than just having eaten Mexican food all your life.  I really mean it, don't just waltz up and assume everything is safe for you.  If you don't know exactly what you are looking at and exactly how it is made, then ask what it is, what's in it and if it is gluten-free.

There were things that were definitely not gluten-free and absolutely did not look it like some cakes, cookies, and this fried fish platter.  Other things were more cryptic like the capirotada.  It is the Hispanic version of bread pudding but if you don't know what it is, don't ask what it is or what's in it, then you could get very sick!
So ask away because everyone is very nice, friendly and helpful and they want you to enjoy their food!

In the end I absolutely recommend the Sunday Brunch at Fonda San Miguel as having a great, wonderful and delicious array of gluten-free options.
It's expensive so if you have the money, go for it!  If you don't, save up and go for a special occasion because I guarantee you it's worth it.