Posted 06 Nov 2011 by Frank Mahon
Destination Riviera Maya
Eating My Way Through Paradise
The name says it all! Riviera invokes images of sun drenched coastal resorts. Maya recognizes the indigenous people of southern Mexico. Riviera Maya is an accessible tourist destination that is proud of its Mayan roots. Located just south of Cancun the Riviera Maya stretches from Puerto Morelos to the town of Tulum. Popular activities include snorkeling in the coral reefs found just off the coast or visiting the Mayan ruins of Tulum.
The Riviera Maya is located on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula and many of the restaurants feature the typical foods of that region. The cuisine of the Yucatan is unique from other parts of Mexico; mainstays include black beans, pork, habanero peppers and fresh fish such as grouper. Chaya a leafy green vegetable also known as Mayan Spinach is a common ingredient. Popular foods are Pibil, sort of the Yucatan version of a pit B-B-Q and ceviche, raw fish in lime juice. The towns of Playa Del Carmen and Tulum offer a variety of restaurants featuring the unique flavors of the Yucatan, here are a few of my favorites.
Playa Del Carmen
5ta. Avenida Norte esq. 38 Mezzanine
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
I wish that I could take this restaurant home with me! The food is Yucatan served with class. The pork al pibil here is delicious. Also, check out the torta (sort of a pork B-B-Q slider) drowned in sauce, they gave us plastic gloves to eat it with, so much fun…I could really see this catching on in the states.
38th Street North between the 5th avenue and the sea
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
If I lived in in Playa Del Carmen this would be my place! The scene is outdoors, bohemian and delicious. This is a great place to hang out and kick back a few mango margaritas. Check out the habanero crème soup, fried queso blanco and dried tuna
Ah Cacao
5th Ave and Constituyentes
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Did you know that chocolate is indigenous to Mexico? Are you ready to try the real thing? Well Ah Cacao is the perfect place start. I recommend experiencing the life enhancing effects of cacao in the form of sipping chocolate (espresso) and pick up a pack of Chaco-Nibs for the road.
Tulum
Piedra Escondida Hotel
Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km 3.5
Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Who doesn’t like sitting on the beach drinking a mandarin margarita and snacking on ceviche? For me this is the ultimate in good living. This is the perfect place to get away from it all. Perhaps you could write a few postcards to your less fortunate friends and family that must work for a living. Also, check out the Caribbean lobster taco with habanero cream.
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El Tabano
Beach Road
Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Although named for a biting fly that lives in the jungles of the Yucatan, El Tabano caters to humans with a conscience. The atmosphere is a cross between a tiki bar and a hippy commune. There are solar panels on the roof, much of the food is organic, trash is composted and the waste water is filtered with a manmade wetland system. El Tabano is all about harnessing the green energy! The restaurants features honey made by species of bee indigenous to Mexico. This is good place to chill out with a salad made with fresh local greens, for the carnivore out there I recommend the pollo rojo (chicken and red sauce) served on a bed of chaya.
Panna e Cioccolato
Av Tulum 72,
Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Who wants Ice cream? I do, I do! This gelateria is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Their coffee drinks are excellent also.
Need a chaser for your Tequila?
Try this Recipe for sangrita by Oscar Orbe Quiroz, Food and Beverage Manager of Hacienda Tresrios, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
For one liter
400 ml. orange Juice
400 ml. tomato juice
50 ml. lemon juice
30 ml. Grenadine syrup
20 ml. Worcestershire Sauce
Maggi sauce to taste
Tabasco to taste
Salt and pepper to taste