James Beard Foundation (JBF) Outstanding Restaurant Finalist - 2024 Archives - Gil's Thrilling (And Filling) Blog

Mixtli – San Antonio, Texas

Gil Garduno — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 06:01:14 +0000

A quote attributed to Marcel Marceau, the French mime famous for his sad-faced clown, aptly describes my attempts at describing a meal at Mixtli: “Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us without words” (not that being without words has ever stopped me). Life’s events often include moments which move you deeply and stir your very soul. My inaugural dining experience at Mixtli was not so profound and cathartic as to move me to drastically change my life, but it certainly prompted a stirring awakening as I experienced what was conceivably the best restaurant meal I’ve ever had. Several of the other effusive reviews I’ve written are mere hyperbole in comparison to what I’d like to say…

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The Compound – Santa Fe, New Mexico

Gil Garduno — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:37:35 +0000

“It’s good…New Mexico good.” As a proud New Mexican, it galls me to hear apologists demean, denigrate and otherwise concede (quite erroneously) that restaurants in the Land of Enchantment are good, but not as good as restaurants elsewhere. It’s as if New Mexico’s restaurants can’t possibly be as good because…well, we’re New Mexico and we’re just not supposed to be very good. Look at where we rank in so many quality of life categories. It’s akin to University of New Mexico (UNM) Lobo basketball fans being content to make it to the “Sweet 16,” a goal no Lobos team has ever achieved. My counterargument is why the #$%*&! can’t a restaurant in New Mexico be considered one of, if not…

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