How can you still be surprised when you have been visiting the same island for twenty years? Well, it happens to me over and over again. Case in Point: I understand that Kin Ha is a fun place to spend the day with a couple of pools, an extensive dock and fun features like a water trampoline. I did know that you could order food there if you wished. What I didn’t know was how lovely and quiet the setting would be for a romantic dinner for two!

We arrived as the sun was getting lower and various families and groups were packing up and heading home. We did notice that the people in the booths that were set up right in the pool, were the latest to end their day. Why would you?

We started with a couple of refreshing cocktails: a Mojito for me and a Caipirinha for D. The latter featured rum, fresh lime and muddled cochaca!

Mine started with muddled mint, a simple syrup and rum. There was just the right amount of soda to make it refreshing, with the tastes of the individual ingredients still shining through.

We were glad that we hadn’t filled up on appetizers that night because the mains were absolutely delicious and we ate every morsel from two platters. The big draw for us when we holiday on Isla Mujeres are vegetables as they seem to be lacking on many menus. Not at Kin Ha though. Both our entrees were cradled by hot, sauteed vegetables including carrots, peppers, zuchini and broccoli.

The other attraction in this case was a one cup scoop of curried rice, adorned with sprouts and plantains. I think that we ate all those vegetables and the rice before we had consumed the proteins.

The shrimp skewered with peppers and onions were perfectly prepared. You might think that the squeeze of a half a lime was redundant when they had already been marinated in tequila and lime juice. Au contrare, the eight jumbo shrimp just sparkled!

The House Specialty Chicken was a dish that I would have never ordered back home but was a welcome taste on the island. A double-sided chicken breast was topped with crumbled bacon, chopped walnuts, caramelized onions, spinach and cranberries. And it worked! It was savoury and a contrast to many Mexican taste profiles.

The manager Julio and our server who had worked at Kin Ha for 12 years, did an excellent job of taking care of us. All the staff were still smiling and enthusiastic when they must have served many people all day long in the hot sun.

Insider Tip: The dining tables in the pool looked like a whole lot of fun!

Kath’s quote: “The only thing that should surprise us is that there are still some things that can surprise us.” Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Love never fails.

When Au Natural opened just steps away from our long time hotel of choice-Xbulu Ha, we were delighted. It was so convenient, so nutritious & delicious, so economical and had the friendliest service around. It became “our” place when we didn’t know where else to go or what we felt like eating. D would stop in, many times for a snack of a single taco.

Some former Au Natural staff members are now involved with Esteban’s Kitchen.

We ordered-in recently to enjoy their offerings as el fresco dining.  

On this night we sampled two kinds of nachos-chicken

and shrimp. Tortilla chips were covered with Oaxaca cheese, pico de gallo, bean sauce and jalepeno peppers. The laden chips were still crunchy when bitten and the assembly of tastes was very complex and satisfying.

Fish tacos (which will soon be on the menu) were the stars. Six mini tortillas cradled a lightly coated fried fish. There was a latent heat that we detected, and the sparkle came from ribbons of lettuce and thinly sliced tomatoes.

Their menu is extensive…. you can have your eggs five ways, five different omelets, six different Chilaquiles, four varieties of sandwiches & six tortas, four different waffles/pancakes, six kinds of enchiladas, six nacho styles, six fajitas recipes and five different burritos! As well as a traditional Mexican feature every single day!

We love the flexibility of ordering in for a number of reasons but most of all is being able to enjoy that meal under the stars (in our case), with a breeze off the ocean with good friends for laughter and intimate conversations.

You may not know how to reach them. You can place your delivery order to the phone number +52 998 496 8384 or directly in Esteban Cuellar’s profile on Facebook. Wednesdays and Sundays they only deliver until 5 pm but every other day until 10 pm! Delivery is free and prices are so reasonable.

Our extended family is hoping that their extended family enjoys much success.

Insider Tip: Portions can be easily shared.

Kath’s quote: “*Al fresco dining at its finest – where every dish comes served with a side of fresh air and freedom.” -Authour Unknown

*Both spellings are correct.

Love never fails.

When I first met Gustavo Baptista, a couple of years ago, we had a great conversation, not only about his wildly popular restaurant Isla Burger, but about a concept he had for a future establishment. He had just found a building he loved and he had all kinds of ideas about creating condos, with a restaurant and shared work space.   

Today I walked into that building and it is well on its way to becoming exactly what he had described. Isla Bistro is in the process of what Gustavo calls its soft opening. Being the smart restauranteur that he is, he is starting with limited items to make sure the team masters working in their new digs. I can tell you this is going to be a hub for the community. A place for people to gather and enjoy the excellence that Gustavo and his team provide. You will likely notice some nods to the flagship restaurant including the logo and some of the symbols surrounding you. It’s like a thread that links the two concepts together. 

Let me first describe the space. You enter through the bistro’s terrace. A comfortable outdoor dinning space that will soon be provided shade by a new palapa, into the bistro itself which will provide air conditioned comfort. Move further back and you’ll see the coffee shop counter leading into the shared work space. A scanner and printer will soon be installed. The end goal is to ensure the best possible internet access on the island is available in this space. Pop through the side door and there is more outdoor space that will soon be filled with comfortable cushion seating and another palapa for shade and a great view to the water.  The aesthetic is consistent throughout.

Bright white walls and lots of shades of blue reminded me of both the Caribbean and Greek islands. There is a global appeal to the place, which is no surprise being Gustavo is a world traveler. It is also reflected in his menu selections. 

We joined Gustavo for brunch on this particular day and the food was as exciting as the beautiful space.  Presently coffee and iced tea are on offer, with fresh juices and smoothies coming soon. The organic coffee is a medium roast and was especially good. It is produced by an indigenous women’s coffee coop in Chiapas who ships directly to the restaurant.

On to the food. Our friend had the breakfast sandwich.  House cured bacon, egg, and melted cheese on homemade bread, it was served with delicious mini potatoes that had been roasted in toasted spices and served with that homemade ketchup they serve at Isla Burger.

My sister ordered the Mexican dish, enfrijolades. Three blue tortillas stuffed with scrambled eggs and cheese topped with chorizo sausage on luscious white chipotle beans and crema. 

I selected my favourite French creation, Croque Monsieur, a smoked ham and cheese sandwich, four types of cheese on the Isla Bistro version, topped with béchamel sauce. I made mine a Madam which typically means just adding an egg but also included sweet caramelized onions in this case. It was also served with those yummy mini potatoes. 

Our host had his breakfast favourite, eggs shakshuka. A middle eastern dish of eggs cooked in a tomato and pepper sauce that slowly stews for hours. It was served with house-made toasted savoury brioche to sop up the sauce. 

The portions were large with a few of us packing up our leftovers as a plate of “berry good” French toast arrived to provide a sweet bite to end our meal. A red berry swirl is baked into the homemade brioche which is in turn made into delectable treat and topped with fresh berries and real maple syrup. 

Other brunch items include steak and eggs, and two kinds of chiliquilles. More items are to be added down the road, including a kids menu. 

The plan is to open for lunch, providing hand held selections such as sandwiches and tacos. Again that international theme will shine through with likely offerings of Philly cheese steak, chicken pesto and mufuletta sandwiches and perhaps a build your own salad option. 

Later they plan to open for dinner and offer a bistro style menu.  You’ll have to stay tuned for details. 

Above the restaurant are the Isla Bistro condos. Details about renting them can be found online. And above those an expansive rooftop with views of the ocean on both sides. I look forward to seeing what Gustavo does with that space in the future. 

Kath’s quote: “You may say I’m a dreamer. But I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us and the world will be as one.”-John Lennon

Love never fails.

We are like groupies of Criss and her kids. Wherever they move, we follow. Our attraction began in 2021. Criss Medina is from a family that goes back many generations in Isla Mujeres. We first met when D and I visited one of her restaurants in Colonias. Her sons took such good care of us that day. Rinconcito Kahlo and a couple of spin off concepts have moved locations a few times, but I think where they have landed, is the ideal spot for them to put down permanent roots.

On this evening there were 3 couples-long time friends Melinda & Richard from Toronto, Canada and Isla friends Jan and Bruce from Grand Rapids, USA. The latter stay very close to the restaurant, so we met there first, for Happy Hour.

By the time we arrived, the music for the evening was just about to commence and so were some enthusiastic dancers. There was a table close to us with a beautiful woman who had her gold dancing shoes on and was accompanied by a younger member at their table. We were particularly enamoured by the senior of the two. In spite of her cane, her hips and feet moved in time to the great music!

I remember their mojitos being particularly good and they did not disappointed. The simple syrup was yummy and I even slurped down every shred of muddled mint. I think the mint saved my tummy that night because I ate way too much.  But it wasn’t my fault…the food was just too good!

We were impressed with the Gordos on our very first visit and equally enamoured on this evening. Los Gordos are beautifully butterflied shrimp (shell on) crowning amazing guacamole (I think it was the refreshing lime that balanced the rich avocado), shredded chicken and a smear of refried beans topping a crispy taco sphere. The chicken was succulent and the shrimp sublime. Everything came together with a bite, and I think that Melinda and I both moaned.

D enjoyed his shrimp burrito and was amazed that they could stuff all that food into a tortilla!

Jan, Bruce and Richard were all taken by the Quesabirrias. The first time we had every tasted this Mexican dish was at an early location of Riconcito Kahlo and I think that they should be credited for bringing this delicious craze to the island.  Crunchy tacos were stuffed with a sheet of crunchy cheese (how do they make that?) and pulled beef that has been slow cooked and was chuck-full of flavour. And if that wasn’t enough, it was served with a bowl of broth made using the drippings of the beef as its base. You add chopped red onion and cilantro and a squeeze of lime to the broth and then dip your tacos in like a Mexican beef dip. After you are done, you can finish the broth as a soup. 

My research tells me that Quesabirria are also called birria tacos or red tacos. They are a Mexican dish comprising birria-style cooked beef. The dish, which has origins in Tijuana, Mexico, was originally made with goat meat.

Once we were satiated with good libations and excellent food, we sat back and enjoyed each other’s company, and I was filled with gratitude for the island itself, this particular restaurant and the family who operate it as well as the friends around the table. Life is very good indeed.

Insider Tip: Performers that you might not get a catch to listen to, other places on the island are often booked at Rinconcito Kahlo. Check their FB page often for the line up.

Kath’s quote: “Mexican food is so full of color, love, and music.” Authour unknown

Love never fails.

I am amazed when I return to the island 11 months after I last visited and find a whole new resort in a place when none existed the year before. Case in point: Bahai Del Rey. I understand that it was an onerous task to peel back vegetation on the shoreline and then stabilize it to add a marina. I imagine that the yacht owners were pleased to have another place to moor in calm waters. When we enjoyed a sunset cruise last year, I was surprised at all the boats that have permanent homes in the inlet between Sac Baho and Medina.

We walked to the end of the dock after being seated at an enormous dining platform where we sat in cushioned Adirondack chairs (I guess they don’t call them that here).

After dinner Mauicio escorted us to a second story palapa, (overlooking the dining palapa) that when finished, can host private events (like weddings) when they won’t have to close the main facility to accommodate them.

I imagine that many guests will appreciate this because there are different zones that you would consider using daily (and there is no day pass charge): a kids spray pad,

a beautiful “everybody welcome” pool with a waterfall at one end, the bar where a corn hole tournament goes on every Wednesday and then the zone where we dined at the water’s edge that could be designated “adults only”. On Thursdays they feature Ken Wanovich on guitar and cook up Barbeque Ribs, Friday there is music from the 60 and 70’s and they serve burgers with a “fixins” buffet! There are working on being opening for breakfast in another couple of weeks. It has the potential to become your “one stop shop” with all their plans.

Our friend Melinda says: “I would be tempted to come frequently for a beer and Coconut Shrimp at sunet” if I could. She pronounced them the best she had ever tasted on the island.

Which is the perfect segue to why we were actually there….the food!

We started with a “from scratch” guacamole that was much appreciated as we are beginning to determine which restaurants use the premade option.

I am a confessed mango lover and Bahai Del Ray’s Shrimp Ceviche is elevated by nuggets of my favourite fruit. So too, the ceviche was not drowning in lime marinade as is sometimes the case (certainly with the version that I make at home).

Richard indulged in a burger and since I have tasted the wicked burgers that he makes on his barbeque, this was high praise: The meat was properly seasoned and cooked. Cheese, lettuce & tomato were all fresh & tasty. His only suggestion would be a smaller bun to better align the meat/bun ratio.

As mentioned above, Melinda was so pleased with her Coconut Shrimp that she generously shared them so we could appreciate them too. Bless her as when I eat something that delicious, I am the opposite when it comes to sharing. She made mention too of the scrumptious mango chipotle sauce that was served alongside for dipping. I even have a coconut shrimp to enjoy at lunch with our other leftovers!

D loves whole fish and especially the grouper that is served on the island. It was perfectly prepared so that the delicate fish tastes were not overcome by the breading or frying. He picked the fish clean (remember he is one of 7 children) and then I could see his delight as he flipped the fish over and got to start again on the second side!

I understand that octopus is not for everyone but it was recommended by Mau so I was happy to oblige. The spicy, curled legs were juicy all the way along which is a difficult fete when one end is broad and the other tapers to the tinniest morsel. The seafood came with salad and Mexican rice and when I heard that Bahai del Rey makes their own bread, I asked to sample some.

We were accommodated with a sample of their garlic toast and oh my, it was perfection! Too bad my four-year-old grandson wasn’t on the island as well-prepared garlic toast is his favourite food!

I neglected to mention the drinks that we started with! Richard had a Classic Margarita with a lovely flower garnish,

Melinda an Aperol Spritz

and I enjoyed a Cadillac Margarita but the big hit was D’s Watermelon Margarita, for its beauty as well as taste!

I often speak of the sacrifice that Isla Restaurant operators make, Mau has not had a day off for months and he shared that he looks forward to that time so that he can go visit his kids…in Germany!

Insider Tip: Their menu is a work of art! The photos and graphic design make it look like it came from an upscale Manhattan Advertising Agency. Don’t order too quickly so that you can linger over the beautiful images.

Kath’s quote: “There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that’s about it”. -Forrest Gump

Love never fails.