Many years ago when I first visited Isla Mujeres I booked us into Villa Punta Sur. In those days there were no such thing as Facebook pages or Trip Advisor and I had no clue that we were not in the middle of the action. The villas were nice and peaceful but we typically like to be closer to Centro. We usually stay on the east side of the airport strip because as soon as you go out back by the ocean, you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere even though you are on one of the busiest roads on the island. I am constantly on the search for what I call “the best of both worlds”-walking distance to Centro but on the water with a private/isolated feel. My first choice is not always available for the dates that I want it so I am always on the lookout for an alternative.

We visited the Sunset Grill in its new location for the first time this year and in speaking to Felipe, found out that they have two studio apartments for rent just above the restaurant.

We didn’t get a direct look at them because they were occupied but we did familiarize ourselves with the area to the back of the property to find that it too has that remote feeling.

Felipe told us that the studios come complete with a spacious bathroom, one or two beds, AC, good cross ventilation, a fridge and coffee maker and are affordably priced.

With their unique location on the island, you could watch the sunrise from your front door and see the sunset from your rear window.

For an extra special occasion, arrange to watch the sunset from a private cruise of a 37′ sailing lot. The package includes:

– 2 hours PRIVATE sailing tour on the bay to enjoy sunset

– 4 hors de ouevres per person

– 1 bottle of wine for 2 persons from our selection of house wines.

– Soft drinks

– Us $250 for 2 guests

– Us $80 per extra person (maximum 8)

If you are in need of Cruise or Marina information, contact Felipe directly on his website http://sunsetgrill.com.mx/#!/Contact.

Kath’s quote: “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”-Mark Twain

Love never fails.

Love was definitely in the air on our recent vacation to Isla Mujeres. There was a family wedding held on the island while we were there and the romantic and heartfelt betrothal set the tone for the rest of our vacation. When we arrived at The Sunset Grill’s new location (Rue Medina South), co-owner Margarita escorted us to a table for two set just outside the restaurant with a view of the marina and water.

Years’ prior I had my first taste of coconut shrimp at the original Sunset Grill on North Beach. On another occasion with my girls, my sister and her daughter, I recall having a late afternoon lunch at the Sunset Grill when a wedding was taking place. The bride arrived by boat to meet her groom as strains of “Come Away with Me” by Norah Jones floated all around us. We all swooned and agreed at once that Isla Mujeres would be the perfect place to have a destination wedding.

Suffice it to say, that memory stuck with me as I watched my beautiful niece wed her handsome man recently, but I digress. At that romantic table for two at the new Sunset Grill, D and I shared our last dinner together on the island. It was a special time in every way and we hoped that the food would complete a perfect holiday and evening.

We commenced with frosty cold beers as it was still warm in the setting sun.

We consulted Sunset Grill owner Felipe as to what he might recommend. He read us perfectly and the shared appetizer, soup and entrée was the correct amount of food with both subtle and bold tastes.

We started by splitting the most enormous shrimp (oxymoron?), that had been stuffed with hearty bacon pieces and a tart and silky cream cheese. D carved it into four bites and each was delicious and satisfying.

Next up we shared a decadent seafood soup which is Felipe’s own recipe utilizing a splash of brandy. As chunky as a chowder, it tasted closer to Lobster Thermidor with tastes of heavy cream and butter. The abundance of seafood was a lovely surprise-every spoonful containing a piece of huge shrimp, baby shrimp and other fish. The creamy stock was so luxurious that I had wished we had some bread on the table so that we could have mopped up every dollop.

The Sunset Grill is definitely a family affair as the next dish was a recipe of Felipe’s mother. Usually the dill sauce would adorn grouper but in this case it enhanced red snapper. Everything on the beautifully assembled plate was delicious.

Felipe added that next time we may want to try a dish such as his beef tenderloin in cherry wine, chicken livers and Dijon. In truth I spotted a number of dishes that I would love to try again including the Coconut Shrimp, which brings us back to the beginning of this story and

our on-going love affair with Isla Mujeres and the Sunset Grill.

The Sunset Grill has much more to offer, stay tuned for the next installment.

Kath’s quote: “Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it. There’s, um, shrimp kebabs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo, pan fried, deep fried, stir fried. There’s pineapple shrimp and lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich… That’s, that’s about it.”-Forrest Gump

Love never fails.

Sunrise, shelling and then met Jean and Rich for lunch at Tacos at Tumbras Loncheria.

D & Rich had Mexican omelettes,

Jean and I chicken and rice soup.

We visited Hortenzia and D had a play with the kids.

We walked from the airport strip to Centro and home again.

Finished my book in the sun and did some more beachcombing.

We watched the sunset from our place and what a sunset! We thought the first pic was terrific and then each stage was better and better.

Bro #3 & L picked us up en route to Basto’s Grill.

Chillies Relleno for me.

Hamburger Especiale for everyone else (ham, burger and arrcetta steak)! Everyone loved it.

We all visited Sergio for nightcap #1 before heading home for wine under the stars.

Kath’s quote: “Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ― Ruth Reichl

Love never fails.

No sunrise so I unconsciously decided to sleep until 9:30! D had already gotten the paper by the time I was up. Spent all day in the sun doing nothing. Did a lot of reading of “Girl on a Train”.

We walked into Centro for dinner. There was no sunset again.

We get such a kick out of the décor at La Lomita. We watched while all these magnolia blossoms were being painted onto the walls a couple of years ago.

I swear they have the best French fries. I don’t mean the best on Isla or the best in Mexico, I mean THE BEST fries I have ever tasted in my life anywhere!

We were dining at Sardinian Smile but were too early for Sylvia so we went to La Lomita for beer and fries. We were over the moon with Sardinian Smile (follow the link for the full feature).

We were home in time for wine & the stars.

Kath’s quote: “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

Love never fails.

No sunrise to speak of but a wonderful morning routine returned.

D walked to town

while I went sea glass hunting. I made egg salad sandwiches for our breakfast. I had a nap as I hadn’t slept very well. It must have been the Kahlua night cap. D was in the hammock and I finished my book.

It was a lovely lazy day. I went shelling twice. D did a lot of research on places to stay in 2017.

A late shower and then some time on the front porch with Gloria & Huw.

We were heading to the Grill Night Buffet at Priviledge Aluxes, but stopped to have a peak in the graveyard en route .

We loved the décor, rib-eye, apps, desserts, etc.

D and I on the bottom left, my second cousin across from us, her husband beside us, Bro #3 and L at the opposite end of the table and new friends G & C.

A good time was had by all!

Kath’s quote: “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone”. -Audrey Hepburn

Love never fails.