Friday, October 08, 2010
Hacienda de Guadalupe
Tonight Hacienda de Guadalupe, a new downtown boutique hotel and restaurant, is officially opening its doors to the public. It's special to us for a couple of reasons. First, our good friend Mario - who has served many of you potent margaritas on the-now-defunct El Campanario's rooftop patio -- is now waiting tables there. More importantly, we recently celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary there.
It was supposed to be a "soft" opening for the owners' friends and family, but when Mario told them it was a special night for us, they invited us in, with our friends Warren and Tuli. The space, which was formerly a residence for nuns, was as elegant as any place we've been in Mexico -- soft lighting, huge potted agaves, a retractable roof for starlit dining, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald softly crooning in the background... We were all entranced. After margaritas, they showed us the extensive dinner menu, but opted to bring us free samples from the kitchen, soliciting our feedback as they went. We were stuffed and delighted. When we asked to see a wine menu, Mario waved us off. Soon a chilled bottle of Moet-Chandon appeared, compliments of Mauricio, the owner. Then, champagne glasses in hand, we were escorted on a private tour of the unfinished hotel, by Mauricio's brother Alejandro.
With the Big 4-0 looming, we thought this would pass by as one of those semi-forgettable, off-year anniversaries. It turned out to be one of our most magical celebrations ever. Thank you Mario, Mauricio, Fernando & Alejandro for your kindness and generosity. I love this place!!
# posted by goots @ 10:50 AM 
