Real de la Esperanza - Guanajuato

Fabulous food and service too. And the decor is so wonderful from the floors to the tables to the walls and ceilings. It looks like a church from the outside but it isn't although the flavors could be like a religious experience. The pickled appetizers...were a pleasant surprise. And the little basket of candies at the end were a fitting conclusion.

We just had lunch here after visiting the Templo Valenciana. The service was very good, attentive and yet unobtrusive. The three of us each ordered the Crepes Florentine, Crepes Pollo Poblano and Paella Negra. Both crepe dishes were excellent, the crepes were thin and cooked...just right. The Florentine was in a cheese sauce and the Poblano Sauce on the chicken crepes was a green creme sauce, not a red mole Poblano. Both dishes were flavourful and light yet filling as both helpings were substantial. The Paella was so/so. The negro colour was because the rice is tinted with the ink from the squid it contained, The Paella also contained shrimp, carrot and peas. The flavour was fine, not a traditional Paella but a good flavour all the same, the only thing I would say about it is that the rice was a tad mushy. We all agreed that we'd order the crepes again but not the Paella. There is a nice view from one table on the patio, the other tables unfortunately don't take good advantage of the view but one can get up and check out the view and return to the table if that one good table is not available. The parking lot is ample and easy to get in and out of. We'll be back here probably on Sundays as it is a nice drive from our home.

Real de la Esperanza is set on the mountaintop in a magical setting with an unbelievable view of all of Guanajuato even the lake beyond the mountains. The restaurant looks like a little church, it has a charming outdoor seating area and also a very...lovely indoor restaurant. The view alone is worth the trip, but the food happens to be excellent! Try the spicy beef tips! To reach this restaurant located above Guanajuato in the tiny village of Valenciana (only about a 20 minute ride you can take the bus from the bottom of Alhondiga Rd that goes to Valenciana (make sure the bus goes all the way to Esperanza which is usually but not always the last stop just after the church or take a taxi. I recommend a taxi for the ride back. You will want to make a stop before or after your meal at the little town to see the church and possibly the San Ramos mine. There are also little shops for gifts in town near the church. The restaurant really is worth the trip especially during the day or just before sunset.

Parece una pequeña capilla, con una decoración agradable, fresca y libre de humo de cigarro (hay una parte exterior, donde supongo se puede fumar). La comida es muy buena, no se pierdan el Chile Empanado, delicioso. El servicio es bueno, amable y con un toque casero.

When we asked a local for a restaurant recommendation, one of the better restaurants in Guanajuato, they were quick to name the Real. This turned our to be a perfect location for us too since we were staying in a timeshare just a little further...north on the main road. Besides the beauty of the twinkling lights of Guanajuato far below, the eclectic nature of this place is what you will notice as you arrive; a Fairy tale looking conglomerate of structures resembling a puzzled matrix of colorful mission edifices and a plaza with some out buildings that looked like they belonged on the set of Robinson Crusoe. I think the exterior designer was having some magic mushrooms for lunch the day of inception. The thing about it is that it all worked together somehow. Don't think I would change a thing. The interior of the cruciform basilica-like structure was replete with a brick domed ceiling and complete with a raised section at the top of the cross shaped room where the alter might go. How unique looking! Art work from local artists adorned the walls and contributed to the pastoral and peaceful interior design. There was a huge painting of calla lilies reminiscent in style of Diego Riviera that hung over our table. The asking price was $700 and I am still kicking myself for not having bought it. The food was as nonpareil as the service was impeccable; just as the local had told us. We enjoyed steak medallions in a Madeira sauce while candles burned with a soft light from the nearby sconces and recorded Bocelli serenaded the evening with his tremendous tenor vocals. One of our most enjoyable and most special dinner experiences here, or anywhere for that matter. Maybe the resemblance to a church had something to with it as we would describe the evening and our experience here with one word, heavenly!