The other day I had the pleasure of spending a leisurely afternoon with Memo and Yadi of Xaman (pronounced shaa.muhn) a fascinating restaurant mid island located above Caribbean Brisas. I visited last year and enjoyed the restaurants nod to traditional indigenous culture in both the food and surroundings. The restaurant was temporarily closed for a while but is open again and better than ever. 

Restaurants, like people, sometimes need to change and evolve. And just like owners Memo and Yadi, Xaman has been on a journey and all have emerged refocused. “We wanted to be true to ourselves, and live a more sustainable life, and that needed to be reflected in our restaurant”, Memo shared. He believes that recent changes to their personal and professional lifestyle have helped clear their minds and deepen their spirituality and now they want to share that energy with the wider community. 

As a result Xaman has gone from being a bar and restaurant, with most activity in the evening, to an alcohol-free, vegetarian restaurant open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  

Xaman is a communal place that hosts a wide variety of events, from song circles to intuitive practice circles. It is a great place to book for a private event or group retreat. Join their Facebook page to stay informed of upcoming events. There you will also see their Croissants for a Cause, a monthly 99 peso special with all proceeds going to support cats on the island.  Seventeen of whom were rescued by the couple. 

Xaman has a very welcoming vibe. While my friend and I enjoyed our lunch there was a woman who came in to order a grab and go meal and enjoy a beverage. A young man spent an hour in a comfortable corner with head phones enjoying coffee, earlier a group had been in for breakfast which turned into a friendly game of rumi.  There are games and books available for the individual and groups alike. 

So on to what we tried. As a bit of a tea-totaler, I am always thrilled to see a good selection of non-alcoholic beverages and fancy moch tails. One of the only alcohol beverages I still indulge in is my annual summer gin and tonic at the cabin. I love the taste of gin. So I was delighted to see a pink gin and tonic on the drink menu. Made with a zero proof spirit where the taste of the juniper berry comes through loud and clear. The tonic was crisp and refreshing. I was a very happy girl. My friend enjoyed an elderberry lemonade, one of their 25 cold beverage options. They also offer 13 ways to enjoy a hot or cold coffee. Their coffee is a combination of beans from Tabasco, Chiapas, and Veracruz. Memo blends his special ratio and grinds it fresh for each cup. 

While Memo is the master of the beverages and front of house hospitality, Yadi is the hard working woman responsible for the beautiful food. 

The menu offers breakfast and lunch selections. Egg dishes, fruit bowls, croissants, salad, toasts, hamburgers and baguettes. There is something for everyone. Vegans, vegetarians, and those who are neither.  

After much consideration we ordered the caprese pesto baguette. The flavour combination has long been a favourite of mine. The sweetness of the cherry tomatoes, caramelized onion, and tangy balsamic reduction are in perfect balance with the herby pesto and melted mozzarella. All presented in a crunchy in-house baked baguette. Yadi also bakes the brioche buns they use for their burgers. 

We also ordered the “traditional” croissant. Filled with scrambled eggs, plant based ham, onion, garlic and cheese, it is served on a delicate sourdough croissant. I can honestly say that if I was craving a breakfast croissant, this is the one that would come to my mind. 

I recalled from a previous visit that I enjoyed the truffle fries and they were as I remembered them. Skinny crispy fries with a touch of truffle oil and Parmesan. 

We thoroughly enjoyed the delicious food and wonderful hospitality. Do yourself a favour and make your way to Xaman for a great way to start your day or gather with a group of friends.  

Kath’s quote: “It is one world. And it’s in our care. For the first time in the history of humanity, for the first time in 500 million years, one species has the future in the palm of its hands.”— David Attenborough

Love never fails.

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