Category: 1 In Mexico

Panchos Backyard in Cozumel, Mexico

12/11/2018

Oasis on the Island

Don and I found the entrance to this restaurant, inside Los Cinco Soles, a large gift shop. That's usually a touristy thing... gift shops with restaurants. But this lovely place was a little piece of quiet heaven, on an October afternoon.

Marimba Duo

There were no other diners, which can also be a bad thing. But we were happy to have a pick of any table, inside or out. We chose a spot, directly in front of the father/son musicians. That again, could have been a bad thing. But they were a sweet pair, playing as many old Frank Sinatra hits as Mexican favorites.

Menu with History

Our wooden menus gave us some good food options, along with some history.

The building was once part of a warehouse, that stored and shipped bales of dried resin. In the late 1940's, the building found new purpose, since a few travelers began coming to the island.

The warehouse was transformed into a hotel, with gardens and a pool. I would love to step back in time and see the kinds of folks who ventured to Cozumel, back then.

Inside and Out

I loved our table, looking out on the garden. The open air interior felt cool and breezy on an October day.

Picture Time

We just couldn't resist having some gigantic beverages with our meal. Ferdinando, our gracious server, took this photo of us with our feast.

The Food

Don's shrimp with garlic was perfecto. My Tamales Yucatecos, was equally tasty. Steamed tamales, served on a banana leaf, with a cute mound of rice. There was a touch of sweet that made me feel like I was on vacation. Well...I was.

The Two Ferds

Ferdinando was a delight. He never made us feel awkward for being the only diners in the restaurant. He "intruded" just enough. He also seemed pretty pleased to know that Don's middle name was Ferd. Don has never loved his middle name, but Don didn't share that.

Our dining adventure ended with a very nice photo of The Two Ferds!

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La Floresta in Playa del Carmen

12/1/2018

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Lunch, Away From Tourists

Don and I got to enjoy a lunch outing with a dear friend who lives not far from Playa del Carmen.

Brenda picked us up after we came across on the ferry, from Cozumel. She said she'd take us to one of her favorite places.

White and Red

We parked in a gravel lot and walked towards the white, cement block structure. There was a sink near the wall where we could wash up before eating.

Order Window

We headed for the order window and let Brenda order for us. The waiter recognized her and didn't need to be told that she wanted a Coke and a half avocado with her meal.

Open Air Dining

It was such an adventure dining in a restaurant where no tourists would think to go. There was no beach nearby. Just the sound of traffic on the road. Some would think we shouldn't have ventured away from the tourist areas. But I've always trusted Brenda. Not only was she a wonderful piano teacher to my children, but she happened to be a police officer as well.

Fried Shrimp

We followed Brenda's lead and ordered fried shrimp.

The fish came piping hot and super crispy!

Brenda chopped up the avocado and used a little mayo and lime. The tacos were perfect and just the right amount. Such a simple little meal and so good!

Catching Up

The combo of fish tacos and Coke and good conversation was wonderful. Back when Brenda taught our children piano, we always ended up lingering after lessons. The subject we talked most about was travel. Here we were in Mexico, where Brenda and her husband now has a home!

Smile For the Camera!

I tried to sneak one more photo before we left. This fun couple seemed pretty amused and gave me a big smile.

What a simple lunch with a sweet glimpse of real Mexico. Thanks Brenda!

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Hosteria del Marques - in Valladolid, MX

10/21/2018

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Courtyard Lunch

In April 2017, Don and I visited the the Old City of Valladolid, in the Yucatan. We had heard that the Hotel, el Meson del Marques, was the perfect place to sample some authentic Yucatecan dishes.

Spanish Colonial Town

We had visited the Old City area, years ago with our kids. We had good memories of chatting with children, selling embroidered handkerchiefs the near the fountain. We'd gone inside the 16th century cathedral, San Gervasio. We'd even bought leather sandals from a shoemaker.

The Pink Hotel

But we hadn't noticed the pink hotel, that was once a colonial mansion, from the beginning of the 17th century. Luckily our friends who live in Mexico, tipped us off.

Inside the Walls

Before we even tasted the food, we were in love with the setting. The courtyard was a shady oasis. The hostess, dressed in her embroidered dress, took us to our table, past the vegetables and chiles and the tortilla maker, seated on a stool.

Open Air Dining

There were indoor dining spaces, but the tables surrounding the courtyard were too lovely to pass up. The painted chairs, white cloths and fresh flowers welcomed us... not to mention the playful artwork!

Sounds Around Us

Our table was perfect. We could hear the fountain and birds. Even the soft voices at nearby tables, were pleasing. It was a treat hearing no English at all. I loved knowing we were dining in a place enjoyed by locals.

Lunch is Served

Nestor, our waiter made us feel right at home. He brought over a stand to hold our hats. He gave us some good suggestions for beer and Yucatecan dishes. And... he graciously took our photo, with the lovely courtyard as our background.

First Time Foods

My order of Papadzules is shown above. The tortillas were filled with hard boiled eggs and topped with pumpkin seed cream and fried tomato sauce. Don went for the baby shark! Both dishes were a little out of my comfort zone. I never expect to fall in love with a new cuisine on the first try. But we finished it all and were more than pleased with the whole experience!

Nestor

Nestor couldn't have been better. He let Don practice his Spanish and he helped us out with a little English. Best of all he had a good sense of humor. I can't remember what these last words were between Nestor and Don, but they had a fun time.

Yay for our first Yucatecan Dining Adventure!

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Lorenzillo's Live Lobster House

5/27/2018

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Our Last Night in Cancun

Don and I usually avoid Touristy Mexico, but we got a good deal for a "resort" in the Hotel Zone of Cancun. Why not?

On our last night we chose a restaurant with good reviews, within walking distance. We put on comfy shoes and headed off. When we arrived, I had to grin at the sign. First of all, there was a giant lobster, which meant we could say, We dined, 2 times in one day, at a restaurant with a giant lobster on the roof. (see previous post)

I also had to grin at the words, under the name. "Since 1683" Hmmm? Is that a joke?

Built Over Water

To the left of the sign was the giant palapa restaurant, sitting over the water. Lorenzillo's brags that their palapa is the largest in the Americas. Of course they also claim a history going back to 1683. I was ready to find out.

First Things First

Before entering the main dining area, we paused to peek into the open air bar. It was on the early side, but still... How could this breezy bar with fabulous wood & canvas chairs and curious, striped wood floors, not be filled with people?

We didn't need an answer. We just took a seat by the water and sighed.

Martinis and Sunset

We sat at our little barrel table and watched the sun sink. The April temps were balmy, not sticky.

While sipping, I studied the words on the side of the building. I assumed Lorenzillo was the name of the owner. But later I learned that a man named Salvador, opened this restaurant and then others.

He even opened a furniture factory, to make the tables and chairs that fill his restaurants.

Main Dining Room

After our drinks we headed inside. The interior wasn't full, but it was still bustling and festive. The blue and white, nautical theme was inviting.

The Wine Vault

We took a moment to take it all in, before we were seated. The thick blue door leading to the wine vault, looked like something out of a James Bond movie.

Lobster Boat

Lorenzillo's has its own lobster and crab farm. They're known for their lobster, so we probably should have thought about ordering some.

But the boat filled with Lorenzillo's Girls, made me think twice. I've always been a wimp about seeing live food before eating it. So, how could I eat one of the Girls? That's like naming your pet chicken, that you plan on eventually eating.

On View

The display case made the fresh fish tempting, even to someone who doesn't adore seafood. I loved the artistically carved veggies, making pretty designs with the seafood.

Bar Boat

I love a theme and this place did a mighty fine job. Even the bar looked like a boat. The waiters wore blue and white shirts, accented with red lobsters. One of the men wearing a lobster shirt, welcomed us and had us follow him to our table.

Nautical Plates

We passed beautifully set tables. The white over blue tablecloths, plus blue & white china with a golden ships, looked very classy!

He took us to a perfectly fine table, except for one thing. It was not by a window and there seemed to be quite a few available.

New Table

It never hurts to ask and sure enough, we were moved to a better table, beside a window. I tried not to wonder why they didn't take us to a better table first. Better to not over-think it.

Our new table was lovely. A purse stand suddenly appeared next to me. My unworthy travel bag really wanted to hide under the table, but I used the stand anyway. Then a standing ice bucket arrived to hold our wine and then a basket with an amazing assortment of fresh breads and garlic butter.

Yum

Complimentary empanadas came next, with two kinds of sauce.

I was happy.

Curious View

There was a door nearby, that lead to the deck tables. After a couple sips of winel, I took a quick step outside to catch the sunset. There was one more giant lobster that needed to be photographed! In my picture, it looks like he's keeping an eye on Don, who can be spotted in the first window.

Sinking Sun

Then, I took a photo of the sun just before it slipped behind low clouds. If we had been vacationing during peak season, then we could have enjoyed lots of people watching, along with our sunset. The palapa and decks were mostly empty.

Feast

It was silly to order chicken at a place known for seafood, but I was in heaven with my crispy coated chicken, oozing with spinach and goat cheese. I enjoyed bites of pasta and asparagus between decadent mouthfuls of cheesy meat.

Don loves his seafood and he was more than pleased with the Veracruz-style Grouper, serves with onions, peppers and olives. He can be picky, but he raved.

Dessert?

We had no room for dessert, but we worked off a couple calories by hiking the stairs to the second level, for a view of the wonderful "striped" floors. I think there's a story about those floors...?

Flags and a View

The upstairs dining was closed for the evening, but our waiter invited us to go up and peek around. Instead of a window view, these tables could look down on the diners below, or up at the international flags hanging from the beams.

Best of all the upper level walls were covered with framed clippings and photos. We learned about past famous diners, like Jacques Cousteau and Omar Sharif. We learned about the two hurricanes that nearly destroyed the restaurant. I also finally learned the real age of Lorenzillo's.

The Legend

It was no surprise to learn that our restaurant had not been around since 1693. Lorenzillo's really opened in 1979 and was named for a legendary pirate.

The story claims that in 1693, Lorenzillo was a hungry pirate when his ship arrived at the port in Veracruz, Mexico. He became enraged to find no good food available. That pirate story inspired Salvador Vidal, when he opened his restaurant in 1979.

He could have just named the Lobster House after himself, since he has a pretty good name. Instead he used the legend and a little humor to create a restaurant with a reputation for delicious food, that could please a fierce and picky pirate, like Lorenzillo. Luckily all customers seemed content on the night we dined. I saw no outraged pirates or diners yelling and smashing the beautiful blue plates.

Happy Tourists and Happy Pirates!

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Miramar Restaurante & Lobster House

5/26/2018

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Isla Mujeres in Mexico

This was just about the first restaurant Don and I spotted when our ferry arrived on the island. It was early morning and we were starved. Any restaurant with a lobster on the roof, had to be good!

Under the Roof

Don and I paused to check the menu on the little carved stands in front. No staff rushed to greet, because they were all under the roof, eating their own breakfasts. But we were spotted and encouraged to come in and find a seat.

Don and I headed into the shaded restaurant and noticed more creatures hanging from the ceiling. All the tables were sitting in beach sand, which was pretty fun. But we headed down the wooden walkway, towards the water.

Table on the Deck

We picked one of two wooden tables, on the deck, where we had a little shade, plus a nice view of the water and dock.

All Alone

The other ferry tourists all seemed eager to get to beaches or golf cart tours. We seemed to have the place to ourselves and that was perfect.

Coffee at Last

Our waiter eventually arrived with menus. I asked if they served coffee. He answered no... and then laughed. Some diners in need of caffeine, might not have found that funny. I was just happy he was teasing.

Once I had a sip of coffee, I could enjoy the atmosphere. Our little, polished table had some character. There was a glass covered hole in the center, with a flower and shell display.

Carved Chairs

The chairs that went with the table were even more exciting. Don and I both had carved seahorses behind our backs, but there were chairs with dolphins and turtles and lobsters.

I think families with young kids would find these chairs pretty nifty. I can also imagine some bickering siblings, tired from a day at the beach... fighting over the octopus chair.

Eye on the Dock

This was the perfect little spot to start our day on the island. Don and I (and the overhead shark) kept an eye on the water and boats. Not only was the setting peaceful, but the music that played softly was quite pleasant. A nice change from some of the places that cater to young tourists!

Breakfast

The food part of the dining adventure was decent and priced well. Our orders of Ranchero Eggs and Mexican Eggs were pretty similar and I can't even remember which we liked better.

Lobster Next Time

Our memories of Miramar will be about the curious decor and the view and our friendly pelican. I wish we had a lobster memory. After we excited I noticed the glass window facing the street, with the lobster tank. Next time, we'll need to go at night for a real feast, with lobster memories!

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Casa Denis in Mexico

1/31/2018

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Yucatan Dining in Cozumel

Don and I returned to an old favorite, on a trip to Cozumel last May.

Over 10 Years Before

Here we are with our kids in 2007. The quaint sidewalk cafe, was just steps from the town's plaza. I believe our good humored waiter took the photo.

What's Different?

The place looked pretty much the same after 10 years. This photo shows the tables and chairs looking more modern... and the diners looking more aged. I kind of missed the old wooden tables and chairs.

Since 1945

As the placemat reminded us, Casa Denis has been around since before Don and I were born. So that made us feel younger.

Martin

Don and I recognized our old waiter from 10 years ago. Martin was just how I remembered him... gruff one minute and playful the next. He said he'd been working at Casa Denis for 17 years. He hasn't lost his posing skills.

Little Yellow Casa

Don and I arrived hungry at about 9 pm. There were plenty of tourists sitting outside the little yellow building.

In Daylight

When we walked by earlier in the day, I could see the house-like shape and hoped to take a peek inside when we returned.

Homey Interior

In the evening, I walked through the white doors and took a peek inside. I could imagine the Angulo family once living in the casa.

Yellow Walls

There were no tables for dining, just framed displays of family photos and a few famous guests like Jackie Onassis.

It was easy to imagine Denis, Juanita and their children working and living here long ago. The couple actually sold food from their home in the 1930's. Tourists hadn't begun to flock to the island yet.

Food and Drink

Don and I were happy to sit outside on a balmy evening. We had spent the cool and rainy day, visiting the ruins of Tulum and we were ready for margaritas and some Yucatan dishes.

Luckily the margaritas were delicious and safe...

Another Cozumel Trip

This is what happens when you indulge in bad margaritas. (I'm not proud of this mother/daughter photo from 6 years ago) I know I sound like I'm blaming the margaritas... which I am. They were deadly.

Food?

We were starved so we ordered 3 dishes. Don's Yucatecan pork tacos were yummy, as I recall.

My dish was very festive, as you can see.

Sadly I failed to take notes. This was a while ago and I'm not going to lie. I remember being happy with my food and that's about all I remember.

Ole for Mole!

I do recall that we ordered Enchiladas de Mole, since Casa Denis is known for Yucatan specialties. The enchiladas were smothered in a creamy mole with onions. Very delish!

New Friends

Lydia and Jennie stopped by selling key chains. They spoke some English and Don spoke enough Spanish to be able to communicate fairly well. They were good humored and talked about school, so we hoped it was okay to buy from them. There was a lot of discussion about which animals and shapes were best. Both insisted we include at least one mermaid in our purchase.

Pups and Music

I don't have a photo of the tiny dog that strolled about the tables as we dined. He was so old I think he may have been the Casa mascot, when we visited 10 years ago.

We enjoyed the strolling guitar player just as much as the amusing pup. Our musician wasn't intrusive. He just politely asked if we preferred something happy or something romantic.

We chose our favorite, the dramatic love song, Maleguena!

Until Next Time

Yes, this place attracts the tourists and sometimes the waiters are grumpy. But we love the place. We've been coming to Cozumel since before the cruise ships started coming. We will be back, I'm sure.

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Arabian Tacos in Cozumel

5/3/2017

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Lebanese Food In Mexico

Don and I had been in Cozumel for nearly a week, when we stumbled across this Lebanese restaurant, last April.

We'd eaten a lot of tacos, so we were ready for a change. Well, sort of a change. Arabian Tacos at least sounded curious.

Wandering Back Streets of Cozumel

Don and I ran across this not overly inviting storefront, when wandering far off the usual tourist path. We were in search of a curious music store, we'd read about. By the time we figured out the store was long gone, we were hungry and we were no where near the restaurants that cater to tourists.

It didn't look like the kind of place we would go for, unless we'd gotten a good recommendation.

But, it smelled so darn good!

We Peeked In

The bright yellow space was empty, except for a young man and his cell phone at one table. The floor was still damp from a recent mopping and the owner was out on the patio, with a hose. He smiled and waved.

In We Go

The owner greeted us and invited us in. We chose one of the 3 tables and Don ordered a pineapple drink, while we checked over the menu. The curious drink was green, with a hint of cucumber and a tiny bit of crunch.

Looking Around

While we waited on our food, we took in the decor. There was a Lebanese flag on one wall and a Turkish flag on the other. There was a bookcase, with mostly books in English.

Lebanese Roots

We assumed the owner was Lebanese, but he told us it was his grandmother, who handed down the Lebanese recipes. Luis was born in Mexico and moved to Cozumel at the age of 14. After years in various kinds of

business, Luis and his wife opened up this restaurant so he could cook and share the foods he loved.

Arabian Tacos

Don ordered the Arabian Tacos, which Luis recommended. The chicken and pork were flavored with delicious Mediterranean spices. The pita bread was soft and warm. Luis explained how to use the 4 sauce options, but we got a little confused.

Falafel

I went for the falafal plate, which came with 5 yummy, fried treats, hummus, salad and a yogurt based sauce. I ate every bit, except the salad. After a week of no salad, I was craving those greens. But I've learned to keep it safe... so I can enjoy my stay.

Dessert

We were full after our quick lunch, but took a look at the baklava and other goodies on the counter. We ended up ordering a couple to go.

Chatting With Luis

We were a little uncertain who was cooking the special recipes, back in the kitchen. Luis was fairly busy during most of our dining time, so maybe he was doing some cooking, too.

Once we finished though, Luis was more than happy to talk. We heard about his teen years in Cozumel and his unusual career path, which lead to the opening of Arabian Tacos, a couple of years ago. What nice guy. What yummy food.

Oops!

We sort of forgot our yummy treats for a few days. When we discovered them in a bag later, we were surprised at how absolutely delicious they still were! 3 cheers for our Arabian Dining Adventure!

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Panchos Backyard in Cozumel, Mexico

La Floresta in Playa del Carmen

Hosteria del Marques - in Valladolid, MX

Lorenzillo's Live Lobster House

Miramar Restaurante & Lobster House

Casa Denis in Mexico

Arabian Tacos in Cozumel

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