Sous Sol is somewhat of a mystery, including its location. When we instructed friends to join us at the restaurant we gave them the address and then had to add that it was in the basement and that they must enter from a back lane where they would get no assistance by signage. Searching it out was well worth the trouble.

The funky Parisian interior features whitewashed walls, turquoise painted wooden chairs, dim candlelight and mismatched china plates. It all worked and created an intriguing, cozy ambience. The evening that we dined was a chilly one so our shawls and fuzzy sweaters were in keeping with the casual décor.

On the night that we visited the appetizers featured on the ever changing menu were steak tar tare, scallops done in a Coquille St. Jacques style as well as a little pot of poached shrimp and clams. Keep in mind that if you go to check out the little French bistro you may find something entirely different on the menu. This meant that we could count on the use of fresh seasonal items in the dishes and it also added to the mystique of the restaurant.

Our mains were as delectable as the starters featuring lamb shank, beef noisette and salmon. All meat entrees were tender and succulent and perfectly

offset by savoury sauces and carefully selected and prepared vegetables.

For our party, crème brulee was a “must” testing the culinary skills of Chef Mike Robins. The thin caramelized crust of the custard dessert, splintered when struck by the back of a spoon, exactly the way the classic dish’s preparation might have been taught in culinary school. Perhaps too, Chef picked up the skill working at a Michelin starred restaurant in New York.

A lovely amuse bouche of sea salted chocolate accompanied the cheque which was a fun surprise given that the treat from a chef typically commences a meal by “delighting (amusing) the mouth”. The final mystery of the evening revolved around the bill, but let’s not spoil all the surprises.

Sous Sol (when translated means basement)

The address is not included on their website but is at 22-222 Osborne St. Remember that you enter off of the lane which runs at a right angle to Stradbrook St. Look for a plain black awning and a glass door that says “Building B, Lower Level”.

Hours have recently changed an they are now open Thursday to Saturday, 5 pm – 2 am. Reservations not accepted. Not accessible to persons with disabilities which is such as shame as our daughter Beep would love it!

Kath’s quote: “A good cook is the peculiar gift of the gods. They must be a perfect creature from the brain to the palate, from the palate to the finger’s end.”
-Walter Savage Landor

Love never fails.

Yes, our family is a close knit one. In winter it is more challenging to find reasons to assemble every month or so. But Mom’s 89th birthday was the perfect opportunity.

I hope that I look as youthful and happy as Mom when I am 89 years young.

But what to get a Mom who never asks for anything and is always more willing to give than receive? Sister #3 had a great idea. Mom is so proud of her children, grandchildren and great-granchildren and all of their significant others, so it was decided that we would fashion Mom’s party around a talent fair!

We set up three banquet tables to display photography, painting, writing, beer & wine making, wood working, leather work, other crafting and pottery.

Many decided that cooking was their talent and having tasted everything, I can assure you that we have scads of culinary experts in our midst.

In addition, everyone provided snacks, so there was more than enough for everyone.

Once we had visited and tasted all of the fare, it was time for the entertainment portion of the evening. One sister-in-law recited a poem.

Sister #3 serenaded us (acapella, no less).

Three generations formed this musical trio and after a one night rehearsal, entertained us with “Crazy” by Patsy Cline, Elvis’ “Jailhouse Rock” and even a modified Ronny Milsap birthday themed song. It was the highlight of the evening and Mom grinned from ear to ear.

A second sister-in-law baked Mom’s birthday cake.

Perhaps the secret to living 89 years is my Mom’s atttitude of giving, of gratitude and in the joy of her family. Mom lives a simple, blessed life that is full of love given and experienced.

Kath’s quote: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” ― Albert Einstein

The youngest member of our clan sitting on her soon to appear cousin. Birthing another member of our big loving family-a wonderful talent indeed!

Love, that is all.

Before we walked into Centro, I did some beachcombing and then we had a little visit with friends of our next door neighbours (from Saskatchewan). Their friends were from our home town of Winnipeg and because everybody knows everyone else back home-it turned out that he had done an inspection of our beach house at the lake.

We walked through Centro to meet the rest of our entourage at the old Playa Sol for sunset. Along the way I captured a couple of moments that I was particularly enthralled by, including the above. What I liked about it was that often times when you see a depiction of the madonna, she has a halo and rays streaming from her head/crown but in this, the halo is in the heavens. Pretty cool, I thought.

Even chipping plaster strikes me as pretty; especially when it is the backdrop for these dashing musicians.

Oh that I could have a retro floor like this in my home……

What came first, the restaurant or the vine?

The deep sea fishing boats.

Live lobster tank.

The palms silhouetting the firey sky.

Sailfish statue.

This too was one of my favourites. The wide flung door says “possibilities” to me. The fading sun was now pastel and that is my borther, my sister, my sister-in-law and an honourary sister waiting for us on the far dock.

This was our view as D poured us Kahlua and banana cocktails and we nibbled on snacks.

That evening we had dinner a fabulous (as always) at Fredy’s  before wandering down to watch a game of basketball near the square, a stroll home to Luna d’ Miel and lastly moon gazing by the ocean. Another perfect day.

As much as I know that all the walking that I do from the airport strip to Centro and back again is good for me, I am very much looking forward to staying in Centro for our upcoming trip. I haven’t done so in years. We will be at the Villas San Miquel, a relatively new build of apartments clustered around a walled pool. The kitchen is beautifully equipped so we anticipate making lots of good food and hosting happy hours. We will be nice and close to our favourite juice man and to fetch tortas first thing in the morning at the Supermercado. Counting down the days now…..

Kath’s quotes: “The moon is a loyal companion. It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.” ― Tahereh Mafi

Love, that is all.

We spent lots of time on the back patio of Luna d’Miel on this day for a couple of reasons: 1) the sunrise was gorgeous (would you agree?) and we had new neighbours in the apartments. It is fun to write this months later as Kelly & Peggy are my Facebook friends and I hope to see them on the island in a month or so.

We waited on the airport road for Sister #3 and Dona to pick us up in a cab. We were on our way to visit Fredy and Anna’s breakfast restaurant in the Colonias. Fredy explained how Mel and Alda’s was named for their grandkids Melodie and Aldair.

In the vicinity was a home with a with this uniquely crafted wall. On one side you could see the bottle bottoms but through the curved window, you might be able to see that the entire bottle had been plastered in. Home owners on Isla are so inventive!

Our next stop was to tour Joyce and Bob’s Casitas. I mentioned in a previous post that even though we had just met, we had lots of commonalities between us. The Casitas are so beautiful, carefully decorated and equipped with every convenience you might need for a couple of weeks stay. Can you imagine this view from your bed? I love the stretch of beach, across the road-perfect for beach combing, one of my favourite Isla past times.

Joyce was also kind enough to let us have a peak at their own home-equally gorgeous with little touches that I was particularly fond of.

Our gang on their second floor terrace.

I was especially enamoured by this exquisite tree that was carefully tended in their yard.

We walked around the neighbourhood a bit before heading back to the north.

By the time the sun was lowering in the sky we were on our back into Centro. But those photos and narrative will have to wait for another day.

Kath’s quote: “The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.”  ― G.K. Chesterton

Love, that is all.

A business associate asked to meet me her for lunch so that she could get some traveling tips about Isla Mujeres. The opportunity was a perfect excuse to think about warm temperatures in the middle of winter. We decided to meet in the vicinity of her office at Peaks Restaurant at 106 Scurfield Blvd. in Whyte Ridge.

I suppose it was because we were both contemplating fitting into our bathing suits, that we ordered salads. She ordered the Greek Salad and me the Strawberry Spinach Salad. Each of us added a grilled and sliced chicken breast. Large pieces of garlic toast were perched on the rims of our salad plates. They had been saturated in butter (a good thing) and were crispy as well as delicious.

I admired my friend’s salad from across the table not knowing her quite well enough to request a taste. I noticed that her Greek salad included plenty of crumbled feta and kalamata olives. Uncharacteristic of a traditional recipe, the salad also included home-made croutons. As she asked the questions and I did all the talking, it took me longer than her to consume my huge lunch.

The delectable slices of strawberries, toasted almonds, shredded mozzarella and red onions were a summery taste as we chatted about golf carts, seafood restaurants and the best beach spots. The restaurant’s own poppy seed vinaigrette provided both acidity and sweetness and made the varied ingredients sparkle like the sea.

When a call was placed to the owner of the restaurant to check on the spelling of the unusual family name (Skrbic), he hinted that they originate from Eastern Europe so I was not surprised by the generous portions having travelled to the area in the past.

Peaks Restaurant & Catering (as stated on their website), external sign reads: Peaks & Ridges

Kath’s quote: “The West wasn’t won on salad.”-North Dakota Beef Council

Love, that is all.