San Miguel de Allende has never been one to rest on its laurels. For all its historic splendor and status as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the city continues to reinvent itself, especially when it comes to its food scene. Innovative restaurants, daring chefs and a high concentration of culinary talent have made this cobblestoned haven in the highlands one of Mexico's most exciting destinations for food lovers.
It's fitting, then, that one of the most touted hotels in the country sits right in the heart of it all.
At Moxi, the heirloom tomato salad with stracciatella is a standout dish. Photo Credit: Meagan Drillinger
The menu at Moxi
Hotel Matilda has long been the darling of San Miguel's luxury set. It's a contemporary, art-splashed counterpoint to the traditional aesthetic of the city. But more than a place to sleep, it's a place to feel immersed, inspired and well-fed. On a recent visit, I was reminded once again why this hotel continues to be one of the most innovative stays in Mexico.
At the heart of the experience is Moxi, the hotel's signature restaurant, where a tasting menu experience is always in rotation. The culinary team keeps things playful and seasonal, drawing on local ingredients and international techniques to build something entirely unique. The menu changes regularly, but my own dinner there was a standout highlight of the trip.
I started with a colorful medley of organic tomatoes served with basil and creamy stracciatella. That was followed by a tangy crab aguachile. A perfectly cooked red snapper arrived next, dressed in a bright citrus vinaigrette and resting atop a bed of fresh fennel salad. Earthy and rich, the pappardelle with lamb ragu and a touch of eggplant ash brought the whole meal home. The presentation was beautiful, and the dishes were paired with thoughtful selections of Mexican wine.
Crab aguachile is another popular menu item at Moxi restaurant. Photo Credit: Meagan Drillinger
Wine and ambiance
Speaking of wine, the list at Moxi is refreshing and bold. You'll find a well-curated selection of international options, but what truly excites is the depth of Mexican labels, showcasing how much the country's wine scene has evolved.
What makes dining at Moxi particularly special is the setting itself. The restaurant's dining room is a chic blend of contemporary and classic, with a long blue-and-white banquette that faces the window, the flicker of candles and a soft glow that casts an inviting ambiance over the space. Even before the first course arrives, the stage is set.
And then there is the bread. I'd be remiss not to mention the buttery brioche that appears at the beginning of the meal — glazed with butter, slightly sweet and fluffy. It's a dangerous prelude.
Every meal at Moxi begins with a hot skillet of warm brioche buns. Photo Credit: Meagan Drillinger
Love and death and dinner
But Hotel Matilda's culinary offerings don't stop at Moxi. The hotel is known for its special dining events, like the newly launched "La Mesa Taittinger," an ultraexclusive Champagne-paired dinner that leans into the hotel's love of collaboration between food and art. The menu for this dinner features elevated creations like oysters with double cream, peach gazpacho with scallops and roasted suckling pig with orange glaze, all paired with different expressions of Taittinger Champagne.
Another standout is the annual Cena Erotica, a sultry, candlelit affair that takes place around Valentine's Day and draws a creative crowd for an evening of mystery. Come fall, the Dia de los Muertos dinner, Cena Negra, celebrates seasonal ingredients as well as Mexican culture, heritage, art and music.
All of these dinners share a common thread: storytelling. Each course is a chapter. You don't just eat at Hotel Matilda. You participate.