Beautiful patio, Live Agua

by Brenda Sexton

Like many of us living in San Miguel, I've gotten out of town for May and June. Anticipating the sticker shock back here in California, those final glorious mornings before departing San Miguel, I indulged in some of the city's most exquisite, yet surprisingly affordable, breakfast spots. Think gorgeous settings, exceptional food, and the kind of calm that makes you want to linger just a little longer. I didn't want to leave.

Friends from Palm Desert at Live Agua

Live Aqua
Calzada de la Presa 85
(415) 150-2300
Patio del Árbol
Weekday reservations not needed

Centrally situated in one of San Miguel's most visually stunning hotels, the Patio del Árbol restaurant at Live Aqua is a true hidden gem for a luxurious weekday breakfast. I usually go around 10am with a friend. Weekdays are best, as weekends can get lively.

Salmon with poached egg
*

Even though I only visit every couple of months, the servers always remember me. That's the kind of place this is. From the moment you walk in, you're enveloped in elegance: soft music, tranquil energy, impressive contemporary art, and attentive staff. It's like stepping into a curated sanctuary.

My usual? Huevos al gusto ($230 pesos). I go for two perfectly poached eggs with sautéed chorizo, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes. It comes with either house-made tortillas or freshly toasted bread... and yes, the sides are generous and nearly limitless. For comparison, a far less satisfying breakfast at a nondescript cafe in Palm Desert cost me $27us and includes one egg and one slice of toast, and that price keeps going up. Argh, indeed.

The birthday French Toast
*

If the hostess asks whether you're celebrating a birthday you might want to say yes. Twice I've been there for birthday breakfast, and both times we were treated to their extraordinary French toast. Thick yet airy, crisp on the outside and impossibly creamy inside. It's so good it doesn't even need syrup.

Before you leave, be sure to visit the rear pool area. It's a majestic oasis with lush landscaping and a dramatic Aztecan-inspired wall that separates the property from the Presa beyond. Every guest I've brought here has been floored by the sheer beauty and elegance of it all.

The author with Debra Benditz at Hotel Matilda

Hotel Matilda
Aldama 53
(415) 152-1015
Moxi Restaurant

Over at Hotel Matilda, Moxi offers an equally elegant breakfast experience, but with an intimate, artsy, club-like atmosphere all its own. Upon entering, take a moment to explore the lobby and lounge spaces, where dramatic furnishings and curated artwork set a sophisticated tone. My favorite piece? A near life-size portrait by Diego Rivera of the owner's mother as a young tennis-playing debutante... pure Matilda charm.

The Diego Rivera painting
*

Huevos a la Casuela $220 pesos
Baked eggs with sautéed mushrooms, peas and asparagus
*

The restaurant is right by a small, peaceful pool and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The breakfast menu, delivered in a buttery-soft leather folder (yes, I noticed), feels like a love letter to morning luxury.

Eggs Benedict $220 pesos
*

I recently had Eggs Benedict: two perfectly poached eggs on crusty/creamy English muffins with crisp bacon, roasted tomato, and avocado. I may have whispered "best ever" between bites.

(One caveat: with no house water available, I ordered a small bottle of flat water, and was shocked to discover that it cost $140 pesos, $7us!, especially when a fresh green juice is a reasonable 60 pesos.)

The whole vibe is so serene, I stayed nearly two hours and still didn't want to leave.

I dearly miss these breathtaking breakfast gems of San Miguel. Price-wise and quality-wise, I haven't found anything that comes close in Palm Desert. But maybe that's the point; these places aren't just for eating. They're for savoring.

**************

Brenda Sexton and her husband, Greg Nye, have been residents of San Miguel for over 12 years. She is a board member Equinoterapia SMA, and was a founding board member of PAWS Chicago, a thriving no kill animal shelter. They are very active members of the Malanquin Golf Club and The Croquet Club of San Miguel.

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