I’ve created a new routine for Sunday mornings on Isla Mujeres. I’ve been packing a beach bag and taking it to church so that immediately after the service at Jax, I can change into my bathing suit and cross the street to the beach. After a couple hours on the beach though, we are all hungry. So today my sister Kathryne picked up lasagna from Il Pomodorino. Located on Juarez between Madero and Morelos you can’t miss this colourful building where you can grab and go.
We’ve had their delicious pizza as our beach meal before but today we tried their lasagna. Advertised as a special of the day it will become a fixture on the upcoming revised menu. It’s a good value at 165 pesos for a single serving and 275 pesos for a double.
We ordered the double and fed three people a nice sized lunch as it also comes with a good portion of “panzas” which are breadstick like piece of their excellent pizza dough brushed with garlic butter. The perfect vessel to sop up the extra meat sauce.
We all agreed that the lasagna was delicious. Homemade pasta with a tomato sauce that was full of ground beef and pork. Sometimes tomato sauce in Mexico is too sweet for my liking, but this was savoury with a good depth of flavour. You won’t find ricotta or béchamel sauce in this version, making it a lighter dish overall. Topped with mozzarella cheese and fresh Parmesan was delectable!
Insider tip: If you are going to eat on the beach the way we did, take your own forks.
Kath’s quote: “Once again, my life has been saved by the miracle of lasagna.”-‘Garfield’ (Jim Davis)
You may be familiar with El patio for the great line up of musicians that play there regularly or the equally Happy Hour food and drink specials. But do you ever think of El Patio for those special celebrations while on Isla? We did.
I was husbandless on Valentine’s Day because my Valentine through forty years of marriage was still working back home. In addition, my usual cohort in crime-Sister #3 aka Sister Sue was busy with another commitment. But undaunted, I invited my Sister-in-Law Lorraine and her husband Kelly to join me for a sweetheart dinner. At the last minute a friend and neighbour with no plans for the evening, also joined us.
Happy Hour had just ended and the place was hopping! We asked for a table away from the crowd and were wonderfully accommodated by a corner table at the rear of the second floor. New friends were made over pre-dinner drinks. Lorraine and I both imbibed in frozen mojitos. I had to curb my enthusiasm as I would have slurped it down in one long gulp.
We asked our server Oscar for some popular items on their full dinner menu and he successfully guided us to the Grilled Black Grouper and Grilled Octopus. We had fun choosing 2 sides from an extensive list and Lorraine was happy with the baked potatoes and fresh veggies that accompanied the grouper whereas I was equally delighted by my rice and Greek salad.
Both seafood selections are tricky to manage on the grill. Grouper is delicate and requires equally delicate attention. It came off the open flame at just the right time and was still moist and full of flavour. The garlic and butter moistened it even more and it was a luxurious choice.
Octopus too can be tricky because if cooked to much, it can result in what feels like chewing rubber erasers. This delicacy maintained a lovely char while still being tender and flavourful. I didn’t taste the garlic that I requested but that was for the best as the lovely briny seafood taste came shining through.
I have indulged in octopus all through the Mediterranean countries and it was never served with the body attached. So I was a little sheepish when two bulbous sacks were attached to the legs. I must confess: I talked my self into being full after I feasted on the legs. I left the bulbous remains staring at me from the plate. I think I am a pretty brave eater but maybe you might decide that I am squeamish.
During the course of the evening we enjoyed the strains of live music from afar. At one point Kelly stated: “I hear Javie singing!” Sure enough, our friend of many years made a cameo appearance for one song.
We finished our wonderful Valentine evening with a stroll along Hidalgo. In my humble opinion, Valentine’s Day is not just a celebration for sweethearts but for everyone that we are blessed to love in our lives.
Kath’s quote: “The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep-burning, unquenchable“. –Henry Ward Beecher
What are the words people would use to describe Jax Bar & Grill in Isla Mujeres? Welcoming, familiar, consistent, and quality are what come to mind.
Conveniently located at the north corner of Medina at the roundabout, Jax has been a gathering place for visitors and expats for 23 years.
This particular night I had just welcomed my sister and a friend at the UltaMar ferry. Having been up since 4:00 that morning, they unloaded their suitcases and we were off to Jax.
We arrived just in time for sunset!
We started by sharing a bowl of New England Clam Chowder. The soup was rich and tasty, with an abundance of clams. Great comfort food for the tired and hungry traveller.
Next we turned to the features menu which listed nine additional items not on the regular menu. “Our menu wasn’t large enough” jokes owner Jackie Walker, a pint sized Texan gal with the gift of hospitality. Believe me when I tell you there was already plenty available on Jax six page menu, but Jackie likes to offer a wide variety of options. “I add things I’d like to eat” she shared. The features menu has ceviche, seafood cocktails, a variety of salads and a few other items. From it we selected the Mexican Style Seafood cocktail. A dish I would highly recommend sharing as an appetizer. Served with tortillas chips and soda crackers, this soda fountain glass was filled to the brim with plump shrimp, octopus and conch in a mix of clamato, tomato, and orange juices, chopped tomato, onion and cilantro and topped with sliced avocado. So fresh and delicious.
Next we tried the spinach salad, opting to top ours with some grilled chicken. The spinach was fresh and the crunch of apple, red onion and toasted pecans played perfectly off the creamy bits of Gorgonzola cheese. Tossed in a honey mustard dressing this salad makes a great option for those looking for something on the lighter side.
Lastly we had to try the spaghetti bolognese, Jax first ever pasta feature. It’s something that manager Henry has always wanted to see on the menu. It was meaty and saucy and served with little buns that were topped with garlic butter. Again, comfort food at its finest. (Editors note: the leftovers were just as delicious for lunch the next day!)
Regular visitors to the Island are seeing prices increasing every year, however we noticed that Jax has not increased their prices. They also offer some incredible deals. These were listed on the flip side of the features menu. Did you know you can enjoy a cold domestic beer for only 40 pesos Monday through Friday afternoons from 1 -5? You’ll find a great sale item every day of the week. From half price martinis on Mondays and margaritas on Thursdays. Or enjoy a half price Mimosa or Bloody Mary on Sunday morning. Jax is famous for their Hump Day Happy Hour every Wednesday 3:30 – 5:30. Drink and bar snack specials, and live music. Who could ask for more? The place is packed with dancing and celebration. What are we celebrating you ask…it’s Wednesday and we’re on Isla. Don’t forget to stop by for Taco Tuesday or Fajita Friday.
See you at our home away from home-Jax!
Kath’s quote: “Home is not a thing. It is a feeling.”-Authour unknown
I almost don’t want to share about this little corner of paradise, because while I want it to be a great success, I hope it will continue to be a place of serenity and tranquility.
Located on the grounds of Marina Makax, Casa MKX is a multifaceted retreat. There are five guest rooms available for rent, a beautiful pool on lush manicured grounds. Under the giant palapa you’ll find daily classes of yoga, tai chi, pilates, and even salsa dancing. The day we visited there was a boxing class taking place.
It’s the brain child of Omar Alejandro Hernandez and Ramiro Nahuel Martinez. the two set out to create a get away from the hustle bustle and offer patrons a place to chill and enjoy incredible food. They are currently only open for bunch with an eye to launching dinner in the near future. There are tables in the air conditioned dining room and also on the expansive wrap around veranda.
My friends and I started with a coconut milk latte and a couple of matcha lattes as we pursued the menu. There are currently six items on offer. The goal is to ensure that each dish is stellar and worthy of its place in this highly curated selection.
We tried three dishes. Starting with the Toastada Valladolid, an egg scramble with potatoes and sausage made in Valladolid that gives the dish its red colour. Served on housemade sourdough with a side of pico de gallo, which gives it that kiss of freshness.
Next up was the delectable Corn & Sweet Potato Gorditas. A gordita, the Spanish word for chubby, is a stuffed tortilla that is literally chubby. This one was made of a dough of mashed sweet potatoes and corn mesa. It’s stuffed with requeson, a ricotta like Mexican cheese and the herb epazote. It’s topped with shredded lettuce, cortija cheese, and creama. It’s served with a side of green salsa which is the perfect way to cut through the richness of the melting cheese and crispy gordita.
The third item we ordered was the avo toast. To be honest, I’m kind of over avocado toast, that was until I tried the Casa MKX version. Served on housemade sourdough bread covered in slices of perfect avocado then topped with a leek and carrot puree and crunchy strips of sweet potato. In my opinion, what mades this the perfect dish was the pieces of escabeche pickled cauliflower scattered throughout.
My two brunch companions and I enjoyed tastes of each other’s plates, and while we loved it all, we each chose a different dish as our favourite. The sign of a well rounded menu. Something for everyone. There are options for vegetarians, two dishes are gluten free, and the vegan option of roasted cauliflower with lentil salad and poblano dressing looks incredible.
The other item I look forward to trying is the French toast. Made with housemade brioche and served with a spiced whip cream and jam made of whatever fruit is at its peek of perfection.
Brunch prices range from 220 – 280 pesos. On Sunday you can take a class, enjoy a mimosa or juice of hot beverage and your choice of entree for 400 pesos. And of course feel free to use the pool and shower facilities whenever you come to dine. Casa MKX is pet friendly.
Besides the dynamic duo of Omar and Ramiro, the team includes Chef Guillermo Mora. While you may not recognize his name, he has likely cooked for you if you’ve visited Madera Food and Art or Aurora Cocina & Bar. His creativity and ability to perfectly pair flavours is more than evident. I can’t wait to see what this team comes up with for their dinner menu.
So if you are seeking some peaceful pool time, enjoying brunch in the casa or lunch from the food truck, or if you want to move your body and enjoy nature, then this place is a piece of heaven. Oh, and about the food truck, it’s the Chile y Maiz truck, offering ribs, wings and burgers. Perfect for a pool side lunch.
Kath’s quote: “Do not let a day go by without taking some time for yourself – some time you spend in pure pleasure, as you see it”-Napoleon Hill
