D and I arrived before the time of our reservation because we were so darned excited for the evening to commence. Plans had been made the year prior and that’s a long time to anticipate an evening. We met these precious Australians in person by “accident” in Tuscany in the Fall of 2015. Read the whole story here: http://foodmusings.ca/italy/tuscany-trip-report-day-3-part-2/

In the time in between their son became engaged to our niece and planned a destination wedding on Isla Mujeres; which was another beautiful story: http://foodmusings.ca/food-celebrations/anywhere-in-the-world-he-chose-our-beach/.

The first time D and I dined at Sardinia Smile on Isla Mujeres, the evening was so delicious that we sat back and reminisced about our time in Tuscany, and then we remembered that we would be together with G & H when the wedding took place. We sent them a FB message asking them to dinner at Sardinia Smile a year  in advance!

The evening had finally arrived. D was grateful that we were early so that he could study the wine list in advance and make a couple of Merlot selections for the evening. As guests started arriving and we had an opportunity to spend some extra time when G & H and their lovely friends G & A and B & K, the evening just flew by, so it was a good thing that we had the opportunity to gather our thoughts at the beginning.

This was exactly how I predicted the time would be when we finally were reunited.

We started with bruschetta and octopus ceviche and whatever else was ordered by the table which included Sister #2 (the Mother of the Bride), my wonderful brother-in-law and old friends of theirs.

Once entrees came along it was considerably later in the evening and the lighting was not opportune for food photos. This was the shrimp ravioli that D enjoyed.

H chose the spinach ricotta ravioli and loved it as did I with the fruita de mare fettucine.

The best choice of the evening was made by G who decided upon this simple mushroom ravioli with truffle sauce. In deed we were all enthralled with our selections, the wine an our time together. I felt badly when I heard that dinners at the other end of the table were less than stellar. Perhaps our anticipation of the evening made everything taste that much better.

Mini desserts ensured that the time would be remembered as sweet and delicious.

Since that evening we have been planning and dreaming about another traveling adventure. We intend to meet up with G & H, their family an their delightful friends B & K in Melbourne. How soon this will occur? No one can predict, but when it does, I know the time will one again be sweeter than honey.

Kath’s quote: “There isn’t any questioning the fact that some people enter your life, at the exact point of need, want or desire – it’s sometimes a coincendence and most times fate, but whatever it is, I am certain it came to make me smile.” ― Nikki Rowe

Love never fails.

Continuing with our new tradition of joining J1 and J2 for Happy Hour while they and the little girls enjoyed an early supper, Bally Hoo was our next destination. We were lucky enough to snag a table for all of us, as Bally Hoo was hopping as usual. The Wee One with Auntie Boo We have always loved the location, perched right over the water but this year even more so than most. It meant that D and I could take the wee ones for a walk on the piers when they got rambunctious waiting for dinner. The acorn doesn’t fall fare from the tree. J1 and J2 order their meals in tandem so that they share them as D and I love to (especially on vacation). They ordered fish tacos and coconut shrimp to share and then quesadillas for the little girls to split. They were all very pleased with their meals and the way that the Bally Hoo did their best to accommodate the kids and indeed all of us. Kath’s quote: “Ballyhoo are frequently used as cut bait and for trolling purposes by saltwater sportsmen. The fish is known to have reports of ciguatera poisoning to humans”.-Wikpedia Love never fails.

La Lomita is the very first restaurant that I ate at when I first arrived with my sisters in 2005. From that first day, the quirky place with the authentic Mexican food wins our heart over and over again.

So much so, that when we had one evening for our immediate family to have dinner together, we chose La Lomita. Please excuse the camera hog in the forefront of the photo.

We have so many favourites on their menu but especially the Chilies Relleno.

We have even found an authentic recipe for the rellenos so we can enjoy the chillies at home.

We love the authentic earthenware that all their fare is served upon. Being a beer loving family (J1 has studied to be a Brew Master) we really appreciate the clay tumblers like the one pictured are kept in the freezer to serve their beer in. The beer arrives at a lovely frosty temperature. We have even commissioned a potter at home in Winnipeg to replica the experience for us.

The sopa de lima with chicken has always satisfied and now we have turned a whole new generation onto the tastes, namely our granddaughters.

La Lomita’s shrimp ceviche tastes sparkling fresh and stands up to other ceviches on the island at double the price.

The garlic fish is another favourite. The portion was plentiful and perfectly cooked.

Kath’s quote: “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy”. – Benjamin Franklin

Love never fails.

Café Cito has long been on our restaurant “must visit” list.

From its cheerful corner exterior and the lovely beach touches within, we love everything about it.

This was where we first met Ziggy and we were delighted to have him as our server again this year.

We were a group of four and D and Daughter #1 had the same Mexican breakfast in mind.

Another friend loved her omelet.

I turned out to be the “radical” one choosing a torta instead.

We appreciated our mini fruit cups to start and Daughter #1 also enjoyed her strawberry slushy.

But let’s face it…we were all there for one thing: the banana coconut jam on toast!

Kath’s quote: “The cyclone ends. The sun returns; the lofty coconut trees lift up their plumes again; man does likewise. The great anguish is over; joy has returned; the sea smiles like a child”.-Paul Gauguin

Love never fails.

When we first started going to Rooster, I was sure that the slick operation must have been a restaurant chain. Over the years, we have come to enjoy their consistent food and service and with the exception of one experience (the morning of New Year’s Day-not a great time to dine on the island), we have been very pleased. I have yet to enjoy “Roster on the Go” which I intend on visiting and we have had the pleasure of dining at their big sister restaurant-“Bertha’s” but I will tell that story in another post.

This particular morning was the day of the wedding that we had come to the island to attend. I had hoped to have a small and healthy breakfast so I could fit into my dress for the wedding. Little did I know that ordering the Italian Bagel would be a substantial breakfast indeed. The artisan bagel was loaded with two eggs, Italian sausage and cheese. The hash browns that accompanied put my breakfast over the top. So much for eating light…..

D, the Frenchman and Daughter #1 chose all chose Benedicts but there were so many on the menu and I don’t specifically recall which ones. Can you identify them?

The kitchen does sometimes get backed up and we did wait for a bit before it was our turn to eat but it was so delicious and the severs were so apologetic that we didn’t mind in the least.

Kath’s quote: “I remember, as a kid, I’d follow the rooster and the chickens and watch what type of grass they’d eat. And me and my friends would eat that grass, like that was our lunch.”-Adam Beach

Love never fails.