Grand historic setting with popular breakfast and pastries; good food and service overall but pricing, portions, reservations, and valet policies frustrate some diners.
Saks delivers solid A-grade performance anchored by exceptional setting appeal—a stunning historic casona with prime Plaza San Jacinto views—and strong service attentiveness. However, inconsistent food execution (reliable breakfasts offset by variable mains) and operational friction (valet delays, rigid policies, premium pricing with modest portions) prevent grade A territory. Best experienced for breakfast and ritual rather than culinary ambition.
Set in a grand old casona off Plaza San Jacinto, Saks feels warm and bustling from breakfast through lunch. Reviewers gush about the pastry cart and friendly servers, noting a terrace perfect for people-watching. One diner summed it up: "The room is stunning and the staff kept a great pace." Policies and valet delays, however, can dampen the glow. Cooking leans traditional Mexican with international touches rather than showy techniques, delivering comforting plates like enchiladas, mole, octopus, and salmon. Expect solid flavors more than fireworks; when it clicks, it is memorable, and when it misses, it reads mild or underseasoned. Portions run modest, prices premium, and the appeal is as much about place and ritual as culinary daring. Families do well here: staff hand out crayons, and kids can land on familiar dishes like pasta, omelets, enchiladas, and sweet breads. No kids menu is cited, but the menu breadth covers picky eaters. Take note: strict policies on leftovers and sometimes slow dessert pacing may frustrate parents on busy weekends.
Area vibe: Historic, arts-focused district with weekend bazaar; attracts locals and visitors for culture, architecture, and plazas.
Safety: Generally safe, well-patrolled and busy by day; lively foot traffic around market days.
What's nearby: Steps from Plaza San Jacinto and Saturday art market; surrounded by galleries, churches, cafes.
Go for the pastry cart at breakfast, then pick a seafood main like octopus or salmon to follow.
Dress smart-casual, book ahead, and expect valet delays plus modest portions for premium prices.
A stunning historic casona with a sunny terrace and a lively, busy atmosphere that fills up on market days.