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.

Today was my first visit to el meraki. My sister Kathryne went last year and still raves about it. And now I understand her affection. 

As you walk down the narrow entrance, the restaurant’s courtyard suddenly unfolds into a beautiful space with seating around an ancient tree. I love the rustic decor and the open kitchen. Besides the restaurant, there is a second floor sanctuary that offers a quiet place to read, mediate or enjoy a beverage or your food. The space is used for yoga, spiritual consultations, intimate musical and dance performances and has hosted pottery and sushi making classes. It’s meant to be a communal space that is shared. 

What Kath, and now I, enjoyed the most, is el meraki co-creator, Andrea. Swiss born, she first heard about the island from her mother who started visiting 25 years ago. Her mother brought her and the family 12 years ago and fell in love with the place. She moved here 3 and a half years ago, opening El Meraki in December of 2023.

We started by ordering beverages. I had the juice of the day, which was passion fruit and mint. My friend had the water of the day which was pineapple. They were both so refreshing. 

Deciding what to have to eat was not easy as there were a lot of delicious sounding choices. This vegan restaurant also offers lots of gluten free options. There is also a “Mexican dish” which changes seasonally and based on the cooks creativity and imagination. The day we visited they had vegetable tacos on offer. 

I decided to try the “Sweet Dream”; chick pea crepes, topped with a cashew cream and sweet cooked apples. I’m not one for anything overly sweet and this was perfect and full of flavour. 

My friend ordered the “Isla-Bowl”; a smoothie of banana, almond butter, protein powder, and spirulina, it was full of pineapple, papaya, and apple and topped with homemade granola. Andrea shared the vision for the bowl, the fruit is like all the treasures in the sea, the green smoothy, made with spirulina powder, a blue-green algae full of protein, vitamins and antioxidants, represents the sea itself. And the granola floating on top is like the island. Food as art!  I love when people think so deeply about what they present. Best part was it was super tasty and more than my friend could finish for breakfast. 

A fellow sitting next to us, visiting the island from London (England not Canada), thoroughly enjoyed an omelette, the restaurants one vegetarian option, that he requested be  filled with sautéed peppers, spinach, and onions. 

Next visit I’m going to have the “Sunrise of Memories”; oatmeal-banana pancakes with agave syrup and fresh fruit. A sure sign I loved the food, when I’m busy deciding on what to order for my next meal there. 

I so enjoyed chatting with Andrea. She has such a heart for the island.  She shows her care by offering fresh and healthy food and hosting events to improve people’s physical, mental and spiritual health. She talked about her dream of finding ways to increase sustainability on the island. Perhaps one day someone will let her set up a small community garden on their land. 

I absolutely cannot wait till the next time my vegan family members are on the island. They are going to absolutely love this place. 

In a video on El Meraki’s instagram, Andrea says “Do what you love and you will sparkle with that heart energy” That’s the energy I experience in Isla. And you can see that Andrea too is doing what she loves in the way she sparkles. 

Insider tip: If you stay in Centro, use that communal space as if it were your home. And then tell everyone you know about the oasis of el meraki!

Kath’s quote: Meraki is a Greek word meaning, “when you do something with love, creativity, and soul; putting a piece of yourself into what you do.” 

Love never fails.

I am starting with a reference to a post from 2024: “There are some readers here as well as my circle back home, that wonder why on earther I would holiday at the same place year after year for 20 years. Here on Isla Mujeres I have met so many people who have been coming here longer, come here more times a year and many more that stay longer than my cherished month. They get it. Don’t get me wrong, I know that it is a big world out there and I am blessed to say I have travelled to many places and hope to see many more. Isla is not a holiday for me, as strange as that sounds. It is even better. It is where I live; it is my home; it is my happy place for one month a year. You either get it or you don’t get it.”

Besides the people that draw us here every year (the locals, the ex pats, the other travelers), there is the food! Some of it is excitingly new. But equally so, is the fare we have enjoyed trip after trip. I cannot recount the times we have visited Rafael at Green Verde. His face lights up as we enter his well-loved restaurant, he lets us choose a favourite table and when we open the menu, we sigh in satisfaction that our much loved recipes are still there.

We started with cocktails. Green Verde’s artisan cocktails are worthy of mention, especially the Mezcal del Sur which D requested. A hibiscus house syrup, a touch of cinnamon and chile ancho created a smokey, complex drink that D adored. Green Verde is the only place on the island where this beverage is served.

I selected the frozen pineapple Margarita and was equally enamoured.

Since D arrived after me to the island, he hadn’t yet had a feed of ceviche. Greenverde’s mix of fish and shrimp was not swimming in lime juice but appropriately kissed with it. The sturdy chips allowed for large scoops as the bowl was enormous.

I now realize how often I order the same dish because I read through my own blog posts recently. I love the Mezcal Shrimp: first marinated in green sauce and then flamed in tequila, they were delectable when served on a bed of mashed sweet potato, alongside Mexican rice and fried plantains.

D and Richard both loved the Tequila Ribs-they were flavourful and fell off the bone. They were especially delighted with the buttery mashed potatoes and sauteed cactus, onions and carrots that were served as sides.

Melinda opted for Red Mole with Chicken. Green Verde’s mole recipes are authentically made with toasted chilies and vegetables.

Did you know that there are at least six colours of mole? The following is from the Que Rica Vida blog site:

• Black mole: Made with nuts, fruits, chiles, cinnamon, hoja santa (sacred leaf) and plenty of chocolate.
• Red mole: Similar to black and Mole Poblano. Its colors and taste depend on the chiles used, like guajillo.
• Green mole: Pumpkin seeds, cilantro and tomatillos are among the ingredients used.
• Yellow mole: Soft, spicy and without chocolate.
• Mole coloradito: Very similar to red mole, but sweeter because it’s made with plantains.
• Mancha manteles: It’s got it all! Sweet and sour, savory and spicy hues. Ingredients include chile ancho and pineapple.

We ordered one Lemon Pie and four forks for dessert. “Lemon” was lost in translation because what we were received was a luscious frozen pie of lime with vanilla ice cream and it was delicious!

The newest entertainment at the restaurant is Rafael and Paula’s beautiful daughter Lulu. I think that she was supposed to be sleeping but she packed up her backpack and pulled up a chair at our table. When we left soon after, she was blowing kisses from her Daddy’s arms.

I am in awe of how the Isla’s local restaurant operators manage. Staff shortages have to be managed by bringing in family members to help. There are no deep-funded investors behind these little gems. When I say they devote their life to the restaurant, I mean it literally! Bless them all.

Insiders tip: if you want to compare and contrast the moles, order the tricoloured moles. I have in the past and they are fabulous.

Kath’s quote: “Cooking with love provides food for the soul.” Authour Unknown

Love never fails.