What NO Mole Poblano? (San Angel)

[ktlm]

Normally I am one of the biggest defenders of the San Angel on these boards; however we just got back and were very disappointed with it this time. We went out of our way to try to eat there this trip even though our evening plans got messed up due to Friday night's monsoon. That left us trying to both see Osborne lights (what we had planned to do Fri night) and keep our San Angel ADR on Saturday night- which resulted in quite a jog through Epcot to Mexico. We kept the ADR specifically because the Mole Poblano is so good neither DH or I wanted to miss it. We got there only to find out that they had implemented a "reduced menu" for December which we were told was due to the Candlelight Processional. One of the things taken off was of course what we consider the best thing on the menu- the Mole Poblano. There were only 5 entrees available on the entire menu. 3 of those entrees were seafood (which I don't eat), so that left me 2 choices-- a chicken in cream sauce or some type of new spicy sirloin dish. The waitress told me the chicken was better so I tried it. I wasn't impressed. It was okay. The sauce was too rich to eat much more than a few bites of the chicken. DH tasted it and said the same thing- not bad, but not really good either. DH got the shrimp and he wasn't thrilled either. We both decided it definitely wasn't worth the bother we went through to get there. We both wished that we had cancelled the ADR and spent more time at the Osborne lights instead. I do have to say that they have switched to fresh chips and salsa which were really good instead of their old Tostitos and Pace. The waitress said it was her understanding that in January the Mole Poblano is supposed to come back and the menu is supposed to expand again. I guess we will have to wait and see. If it doesn't, I think that will be our last time at the San Angel which is sad because until a couple days ago, we loved that place.

 

[LandChildWorldAdult]

Ugh!

Thanks for posting about this. We have an ADR for our first night, specifically for DH to eat the Mole Poblano.

Not having the menu, I think we will see how we feel and eat counter service -- it will give us more flexibility. I am disappointed, especially since I had a ressie for Teppan Edo and canceled it in favor of San Angel (and a better time to eat).

Actually, I just looked at the menu on All Ears ... could you look at it? It seems to me that there are only 6 entrees on the menu and 2 of them you described (chicken in cream sauce & spicy sirloin) plus 2 seafood dishes. Could you look at it?

http://allears.net/menu/menu_mex.htm

Maybe they were out of Mole and the server told you a tale?

 

[ktlm]

The allears menu is definitely not the menu they are using right now. It wasn't a matter of the server telling us they were out of the Mole, it was nowhere on the printed menu. You better get your DH prepared. Maybe if they have enough complaints they will go back to the old menu, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Supposedly, the new printed menu had only been in effect starting when the Candlelight Processional started, which I think was Thanksgiving weekend wasn't it? The waitress said they reduced the menu because of the crowds the processional brings in, but as DH pointed out- everytime we go there the place is booked solid, so how can it be any different right now? They definitely had the Mole last December because we ate it.

The "December" printed menu only has 5 entrees. I specifically remember because I thought it was ridiculous. The Allears menu actually has 8 selections-- I don't think you counted the Chef's selections below the initial 6 entrees. The "December" menu does not have either of the beef dishes or the pork dish or appetizer which are on the Allears menu. The only current beef dish was not listed as a tenderloin, it was specifically described as a sirloin dish with an ancho sauce. They did have a Mahi-Mahi which I think was the same one. I'm not sure if the shrimp was the same as the one on the Allears menu. I think my chicken was the same as the allears menu. The other seafood dish was a codfish dish (I remember because it made me think of Captain Hook- that old codfish). I just hope the server didn't tell me a tale about the old menu reappearing in January. I would hate to think that nasty menu they have now is permanent.

 

[LandChildWorldAdult]

The allears menu is definitely not the menu they are using right now. It wasn't a matter of the server telling us they were out of the Mole, it was nowhere on the printed menu. You better get your DH prepared. Maybe if they have enough complaints they will go back to the old menu, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Supposedly, the new printed menu had only been in effect starting when the Candlelight Processional started, which I think was Thanksgiving weekend wasn't it? The waitress said they reduced the menu because of the crowds the processional brings in, but as DH pointed out- everytime we go there the place is booked solid, so how can it be any different right now? They definitely had the Mole last December because we ate it.

The "December" printed menu only has 5 entrees. I specifically remember because I thought it was ridiculous. The Allears menu actually has 8 selections-- I don't think you counted the Chef's selections below the initial 6 entrees. The "December" menu does not have either of the beef dishes or the pork dish or appetizer which are on the Allears menu. The only current beef dish was not listed as a tenderloin, it was specifically described as a sirloin dish with an ancho sauce. They did have a Mahi-Mahi which I think was the same one. I'm not sure if the shrimp was the same as the one on the Allears menu. I think my chicken was the same as the allears menu. The other seafood dish was a codfish dish (I remember because it made me think of Captain Hook- that old codfish). I just hope the server didn't tell me a tale about the old menu reappearing in January. I would hate to think that nasty menu they have now is permanent.

Not prepared, I'll just cancel the ressie. We actually had two, thinking we might eat it twice if it was really fabulous. Sigh. At least I know ahead of time. Thank you! That will allow me to have us eat somewhere else, avoid the disappointment and be more flexible.

I'm so sorry and I do hope they restore the menu -- Mole is a real Mexican classic. (This coming from someone who grew up in Northern Mexico, err, Southern California )

 

[oybolshoi]

While I've never eaten at San Angel this decision of theirs seems completely off the mark. Why pare the menu back during one of the busiest times of year? I can't help but wonder if the Disney Dining Borg have been working their magic again.

Sorry your experience wasn't what you expected or wanted it to be.

 

[ktlm]

Not prepared, I'll just cancel the ressie. We actually had two, thinking we might eat it twice if it was really fabulous. Sigh. At least I know ahead of time. Thank you! That will allow me to have us eat somewhere else, avoid the disappointment and be more flexible.

I'm so sorry and I do hope they restore the menu -- Mole is a real Mexican classic. (This coming from someone who grew up in Northern Mexico, err, Southern California )

You might wait to cancel one of your 2 ADRs until you get there and see if maybe they have enough complaints that they bring back out the other menu. I'd hate for you to miss it if the Mole magically reappears. Of course, that would probably leave you with counter service that night if you didn't want to eat at San Angel. I'm a huge Mole fan too and it can be hard to find a really good one. I'm an Oklahoma girl myself and although we do have a big hispanic population not too many of the places around here have Mole on the menu- it's mostly all Tex-Mex.

Disney Dining Borg-- that made me laugh!

 

[LandChildWorldAdult]

You might wait to cancel one of your 2 ADRs until you get there and see if maybe they have enough complaints that they bring back out the other menu. I'd hate for you to miss it if the Mole magically reappears. Of course, that would probably leave you with counter service that night if you didn't want to eat at San Angel. I'm a huge Mole fan too and it can be hard to find a really good one. I'm an Oklahoma girl myself and although we do have a big hispanic population not too many of the places around here have Mole on the menu- it's mostly all Tex-Mex.

Disney Dining Borg-- that made me laugh!

Lucky me! I got a reservation for the Crystal Palace, so I switched us to MK for that day and I'm switching another day which was less favorable according to UG from MK to Epcot. I will hold on to the second reservation until I can check with resort staff and/or WDW dining to confirm and complain

Fortunately, the switch doesn't kill the 2nd ADR, since MK closes early that night for a MVMCP.

We needed to lose a TS ressie or two anyway and I can always flex more if more comes my way.

Once again, I want to thank all DISers for their help planning and especially the OP on this thread, for helping me avoid their disappointing experience.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

We went on Thanksgiving day and no mole to be seen. The menu on All Ears is not right either... there were things that neither menu had but for sure there was no mole.

 

[ktlm]

You're very welcome. I'm glad to help your DH avoid the shock of sitting down expecting the yummy mole only to be handed a menu without it. My DH had to talk me down from about losing it after I had just run about a mile to get there in time not to miss our "Mole" ADR. I love Crystal Palace!! Sounds like you did good!