I loved the old Zama Beach Club. I remember spending the afternoon there on our very first visit to the island 20+ years ago. Over the years in between, we had so many lovely lunches and meet ups. But it held especially wonderful memories for us as an extended clan because we had a family wedding there eight ish years ago.  There were 80 of us-approximately half from Canada and the other half from Australia. What a spectacular event! Recently I stayed on Sac Bajo and walked by the former Zama site, the dock was still there but everything else that was familiar to me was gone.

Fast forward to present times. I was invited recently to use a day pass for the new location of Zama Beach Club. The location of Zama, now on the intersection between Playa Centro & Norte is definitely a change but in some ways as sentimental as our time on Sac Bajo.

This area was formerly known as Playa Sol where the infamous Sergio-yes THAT Sergio (of the high end restaurant Limon), was once a bearded, ponytailed, rough & tough looking host of the beach club that sat on the very place now occupied by Zama. Oh, those were sweet days. Everyone and I mean everyone spent the day in the loungers at Playa Sol. Sergio hired the island’s best bartenders and waiters and the place was always hopping.

On this visit, I staked out Zama’s location which I found easily on the road that leads to Nautibeach. But because I usually passed Zama from the water side, walking the beach around the corner and plunking down for many a sunset, I had no idea that that was the property of Zama Beach.

Now I know and will likely never forget, as I spent a lovely day there. My time on Isla this year, turned out to be a “working” vacation. Any time that I wasn’t eating, I was writing about food or accommodations. Don’t get me wrong. I know that I am blessed to write about my favourite place in the world, but with the exception of watching the sunrise and taking a daily walk, I spent most afternoons in our apartment, writing underneath the fan. The day before my departure, I gave myself the day off and reintroduced myself to the staff at Zama. There was a lounger and an umbrella waiting for me as my server asked how I would like to start my day. Two bottles of water was the answer! It was hot and windy and I was parched.

That afternoon was lovely for people watching either on the beach or by the pools, appreciating anew that I am way too shy about how my saggy body looks in a bathing suit. I have rarely seen so many butt cheeks since I was a volunteer baby hugger and diaper changer at our local hospital. There were also frolicking families and a number of daytrippers.

I settled in with my book, ordered a mojito and the afternoon passed without a care.

I had enjoyed a late breakfast but when I started getting the munchies, I had a look at Zamas’ extensive food menu. I was tempted to order a burger and fries, but since it was my last day to enjoy Mexican food, I smartened up and chose something from the “Flipped Toastado” section. When I read “fried rice” I assumed it meant in a bowl, but no. This was a cake of rice that had been fried and replaced a toastado. It was then topped with a spicy salmon mixture, avocado and an Asian sauce. I loved every crunchy bite and then ate what fell off and onto my plate, with a fork. It was a perfect light late afternoon snack.

I still had a credit on my day pass and I asked my server if they served vino tinto on the beach! I was in heaven.

As I sipped the enormous goblet of chilled wine, the sun had started to go down and I reminisced about my wonderful month on the island. I must have been off in lala land because just then my arm swept that glass of wine, clear off the table into the sand. Back to reality. And the very next day, I was home in Canada.

Kath’s quote: “The only real battle in life is between hanging on and letting go.” -Authour unknown

Love never fails.

Right off the bat, don’t let the label Beach Club fool you. This is not a place where Cancun day trippers spend the day. We found Loretta’s easily by golf cart as the signage is much improved. Remember though that you do have to walk through Maria’s Kan Kin to find it. Once at the picturesque restaurant with a swimming pool, there is a mix of the persons staying at the hotel, families who arrive by boat and people like us enjoying a sunset dinner.

We were guided to a lovely table in the evening breeze but soon a rain shower rolled through and we had to take shelter under the roofed area of the dining room. I am still on my mojito blitz so I ordered one to compare to all the others I have imbibed in on this visit. It was very good. Penny chose a Paradise. She said it was delicious. So was the sip I tried. It was made with pineapple, passion fruit, lime, and mint with Flor de Caña 7 Year Old Rum which is distilled in Nicaragua with rich notes of dark chocolate, honey and vanilla. No wonder it was so delicious!

We took a short break to admire the surroundings and capture the sunset. The setting at Lorettas is perfect! For eith a beach club day or a sunset dinner.

We shared a delicious starter from the salad section. For the Burrata Salad fresh arugula was tossed with cherry tomatoes and crowned with silky burrata cheese. Tomato jam adorned the top. The dressing was a balsamic reduction and basil oil. We loved the sweetness of the jam and the satiny cheese in contrast with the peppery arugula and dressing.

My friend Penny is seafood allergic, so her menu choices were limited which makes sense. With our handsome waiters assistance, she chose the Filet Mignon.  The perfectly prepared medium rare tenderloin arrived perched upon creamy mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach, el dente asparagus and a red wine reduction. She took tiny slices to savour the lovely steak and accruements.

Since we were dining in an Italian themed restaurant, overlooking the sea, it only made sense to order a pasta with seafood. The dish was called Penne Rigate Scoglio. I actually had to look up the meaning which didn’t help me at all! 

The penne was cooked to el dente and then tossed with mussels, clams (also known as chirlas), octopus, and calamari in tomato sauce. I think the definition of “Rigate Scoglio” meant delicious!

Our waiter apologised that they only had ice cream and chocolate cake for dessert. No apologies needed! We dived into a scrumptious finale.

Kath’s quote: “If wishes were filet mignon, we’d always eat well at dinner”. Dean Koontz

Love never fails