New Kids on the Block - Guest Post by Mari Osa

New Kids on the Block- Jessi and Boris  By Mari Osa

***Check out her blog over at www.mexicohousesitter.blogspot.com

Mari Osa and Larry at La Cocina

It opened a month or so ago, a tiny two table and one small counter restaurant called La Cocina de Boris y Jessi on Ancha San Antonio Calle. My brother, Larry and I noticed the tiny place with the Chef in his official cooking jacket and the lovely woman, we later learned was his wife. 

Chef Boris and Jessi seem way over cultured and high class for the tiny space. We could not resist asking them what their story was. Fresh from the US California wine country where Boris cooked for a winery and Jessi worked for a high end hotel.

They had had the life of high stress and fast pace.  Now they are seeking more balance. La Cocina offered a great opportunity to have a quieter venue to offer their talents to the world. The restaurants simple layout makes dining very intimate. The "kitchen" is an open space where Boris is easy to watch and talk to while he is cooking for you. His stories are as engaging as his food. 

Jessi and Boris decided on quality meals, only doing breakfast and lunch. Proportions are just right for the very reasonable price.

Coffee, which is a big issue for me in San Miguel, is excellent. Like everything Boris does with food, his choice of coffee is very deliberate. Its a blend of organic coffee he has designed himself from national growers and roasters.

Today they tell me they have changed the menu several times to reflect customers comments and desires. They say that they both feel it is important to listen and interact with customers.

Larry and The Le Mieux Bagel

My brother, Larry, suggests a bagel combination of cream cheese , thinly sliced tomatoes, and drizzled with a light herbal olive oil. Boris listens and begins to gather all the ingredients while we talk and he makes himself one. He agrees that it is unique and really good. He adds it to the menu the next day after adding his own touch of a small fresh basil leaf to each tomato , which certainly improves the visual presentation .  Simple and very tasty- he and Jessi decide to name it the Le Mieux Bagel in honor of my brother. Luckily, Le Mieux means The Best in French. 

The Le Mieux Bagel:
Toasted Bagel smeared with Cream Cheese, topped with Tomato slices and
sprinkled with fresh basil, salt and pepper and little drizzles of Olive Oil

Boris and Jessi have all the ingredients for success. They are clear about their goals to stay balanced and enjoy their business and customers.They are offering their years of experienced quality for a great price.  Well worth a visit on your next visit down the Ancha San Antonio.

Day of the Dead - Guest Post

Last night we took down the altar, marking the end of Dia de los Muertos.  My first Dia de los Muertos has been a wonderful one. I feel so much more connected to the people that we honored.  I find that even tonight I am missing them again, as if they just left us yesterday... It is so difficult to wrap up in words all the sights, sounds, feelings....  there is just so much that goes into and comes from these festivities.  One of our guests at the Cafe in the past month Fred and Diane are from Sonoma County, our wine country neighbors, shared with us their thoughts and feelings after their first Dia de los Muertos in San Miguel.  Fred is an incredible writer and has agreed to let me share with you his words.  One day I hope to write as well as he does ;)

Thank you Fred for sharing with us.

Day of the Dead - Artwork Around Town

There were so many instillation's of art work in honor of Dia de los Muertos around town that it took two newspapers just to map it all out- and even then they did not cover everything!  One of the major art instillation's this weekend were these gigantic skulls roughly 3.5 feet tall that was given to various artists and galleries around town.  They decorated the sculls and they are on display all over town.  At the end of the week the skulls will be auctioned off.  I was only able to see a few of the sculls so far but I will do my best to get out there this week and try to find the rest of them.  

Day of the Dead - Altars, Catrinas and Mojigangas in the Jardin

Downtown this weekend was a sight to see!  So much to see and do!  The Earth Harp was strung from the front of the Paroquia (the main Cathedral in town) to the front of the Jardin (the Central Park Plaza).  It was incredible.  I am still looking for a good video on youtube of it to share with you.  The one I found does not do justice to such an incredible instrument.  But I encourage you to Google it!  There are lots of pictures and videos in other towns shot during the day, so it is easier to see.

Day of the Dead - Home Altars Explained

Wow what a fantastic weekend!  I have never seen so many wonderful and beautiful things.  I made my first ever altar this weekend.  We honored my Suegros (mother and father in law) and Boris' Grandparents.  For never having done one before I think I did a pretty good job!  But it was still a lot of fun to see all of the altars around downtown.  I will share some photos of those for you as well.