San Miguel has many wonderful places to have a coffee, snack, a meal, or to meet friends or strangers. One of my favorites is the Bagel Cafe just a few steps from the Jardin. There is usually a lady selling flowers on the entry steps, and a nice man sells lottery tickets, canes, and newspapers in the foyer. Beyond, there is a small courtyard with tables and then a cozy dining area inside and a counter made from some ancient doors. It is the sort of place where they know your name and owned by Jennifer, an US ian who has spent her career working places like Albania and Mongolia on projects related to building the institutions needed to establish a working democracy. Her Mexican staff are wonderfully cordial and the place hums with quiet fellowship and local and foreign clients pass in and out. Jennifer has 8 kinds of bagels, superb carrot cake, and a nice menu of simple dishes made with fresh ingredients. With a meal comes good talk from the host, and from patrons about life in San Miguel de Allende, and in the larger world. I always feel good when I leave, or enter this cafe that Jennifer calls her “salon”.
