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

Love never fails.

Perhaps God knew that my days on the island were winding down. The sunrise that morning was spectacular! I could have posted one of a dozen pictures of it.

Joe and Deb served up breakfast (again).

They along with D, headed to Castilla de Garafon to snorkel for the day. On the otherhand, I stayed put to soak up our little place on a perfect day. Sue came and joined me but they had just shocked the pool and we couldn’t swim. But never fear, I was into another fabulous book!

On Isla, my hair is a real challenge. I have naturally curly AND naturally straight hair. It is an unusual situation and quite a challenge because one lock of hair will shape itself into a beautiful ringlet but the next, will be poker straight. It is impossible to curl the straight clumps for a unified look, so I straighten the curly ones. That is, if I have an hour to spare and on this day, I did! And then I took a selfie (or course).

We were going to walk into Centro that evening but I caught the beginning of a gloomy sunset before we left.

While walking, the skies cleared and it got hot! I captured this image while en route. Between the exertion of the walk and the last heat of the day, my hair was a curly/straight mess just in time for dinner.

Grill Garden is one of my top ten favourite restaurants on the island. Right off the top, I love the ambience. If you are a regular to the island, you will know that it is a tough choice to whittle it down to ten favourites. I absolutely cannot believe the quality of Island food! I don’t know how it compares to other popular destinations but you know what? I am hesitant to explore other locales because I love island food so very much.

Even though we were there to sample their new menu, I just had to have one of my old favourites-their fried cheese in cilantro sauce! We sampled many new menu additions and it was a “blow your mind” kind of dinner. Read here for all the amazing details. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-mujeres-2024-restaurant-features-grill-garden/

We were home in time for wine on the balcony where I daily thank my lucky stars that Isla Mujeres is a permanent fixture in my life.

Kath’s quote: “Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life.“-Jack Canfield

Love never fails.

Another beautiful morning.

We decided to make it a pool day as the opportunities to do so were fading away. Sue joined us for water time and visits with her Minnesota friends.

We were visited by the resident Iguana, that one of the guests decided to feed.

I love being this close to accessing the Caribbean!

We stayed pool side until there was just this little crack of sunshine on the shore.

Sue treated us to dinner at Rosa Sirena’s. It is lovely being up in the trees with a light breeze (but the spiral staircase to get up there was a bit tough).

We started with beautifully crafted cocktails!

There were beautiful views from our table.

And equally beautiful food. We ended dinner with this gorgeous coconut cheese cake.

Owners Debbie and Willy are wonderful hosts and it was so lovely to finally meet them. We arrived home to share some night time wine with Deb and Joe.

Kath’s quote: “I’m going to soak up the sun…”- Sheryl Crowe

Love never fails.

Woke up to another amazing day in paradise.

Deb and Joe made breakfast at the house.

We sent my brother Kelly, Lorraine and our friend Donna home that day. I had already taken pics of their sad faces. These were their happy ones.

We shopped at Hortencia’s and then had a tall cool one at Marea. I was happy to meet the owners there. Did you read that Restaurant Feature by sister Sue? https://foodmusings.ca/uncategorized/isla-mujeres-2024-restaurant-features-marea-located-in-selina-poc-na/

After a snack at home we left to meet Deb and Joe’s friends and take a dip in their pool. What a beautiful house and setting!

We cabbed down to Centro to join a sunset cruise. After the cruise we were peckish so we headed to Sonnys for amazing pizza. It was a late night for us old folks.

Kath’s quote: “You are my anchor in life’s unpredictable sea.” – Unknown

Love never fails.

We stayed in bed a little late but the sunrise was later too. I couldn’t believe that all three of these images were of the same sunrise. I was particularly enamored by the bottom one-there is reflection on the sea but where did the light come from?

After coffee we headed into town for Island Church at Jax and then stayed for breakfast. I love Jackie’s glassware.

D put down those overflowing breakfast burritos and I went for more traditional fare. Jackie tells us that this would be a typical breakfast back home in Texas. I loved the crispy bacon and perfect home fries.

We visited Jax on our very first trip to Isla some twenty years ago. I mourn the loss of their view, when the day tripper place was built across the street and sits virtually empty when I am in the vicinity. But it still is one of the best places to wait for sunset.

We headed home for showers and a snack, then were back in town to visit Marina Bartolome for an early dinner. We were blown away! If you follow this link you will see that my friend Valerie and I connected years ago when they had 1000 Tacos, which was my favourite taco on the island, pre-Covid. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-mujeres-2024-restaurant-features-marina-bartolome/

Valerie’s husband returned from fishing as we were eating dinner. The guys headed to the dock to see his haul.

We have on occasion watched sunset from Marina Bartolome. It was just beginning to go down that day.

I captured the end of it from our deck at home. I was excited to “try” to watch the Oscars from our place but after an extended struggle, I gave up. Oh well. I had a lot of writing to do that evening anyway.

Kath’s quote: “Every sunset is also a sunrise. It all depends on where you stand.” – Karl Schmidt

Love never fails.