I knew that I would miss sunrise from the Malecon and all the Isla friends who greet me.
I had some “real” work to do that morning. I am so grateful that I can work anywhere in the world as long as there is internet.
Sue and I visited two restaurants that day. Beautiful Lupita (follow this link for all the details: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-mujeres-2025-restaurant-features-restaurante-lupita/
and Pizza Rock-a long time fav of ours. (See that blog link here: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-mujeres-2025-restaurant-feature-pizza-rock-by-sister-sue/ )
Sunrises, friends, food, family. What could be better?
Kath’s quote: “People who love to eat are always the best people.” –Julia Child
Donna and I went shopping at Hortencia’s and Irma’s.
We walked past North Garden on the way to walk the beach.
I spied a a spinach & feta bagel and split it with Donna .
North Beach is not as lovely as my memories of it. We wound around to Centro Beach which was hot and still, so we made our way home to read in comfort.
Out to beautiful Olivia’s for dinner with Susan. Read all the delicious details in this link to the blog: https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-mujeres-2025-restaurant-features-olivia-tastes-from-the-mediterranean-by-sister-sue/
To Nashs for the last half of the Jets game. So grateful that Sue is on the mend.
Kath’s quote: “Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say.” – Alice Walker
For many years La Adelita was a tequila bar tucked in the corner of Faynes, our favourite late night spot for drinks and live music. As we have matured, so have they. Our maturity means we now go to bed early, but they have matured into a great little restaurant with a wonderful regional menu.
“La Adelita” in Spanish refers to a female soldier, specifically a “soldadera” who fought in the Mexican Revolution! A proud and fitting name for a restaurant whose bold dishes represent the traditions of various states.
La Adelita still honours its tequila history by offering an extensive tequila menu and a wide variety of very good Margaritas. Kathryne had the Mango Aguacate. A mix of tequila, mango, lime, syrup, coconut cream, and avocado. The later two ingredients giving it a creamy consistency. I opted for the Jamaica Mixed Berry which had a great mix of flavours; hibiscus, berry, lime, syrup, rosemary, triple sec and of course tequila. Our glasses were rimmed with a flavourful spice mix that left our checks slightly stained when we went in for an eager sip.
Manager Victor wanted to start us off with bacon wrapped jalapeños that were stuffed with cream cheese. I failed to find these anywhere on the menu. Perhaps they were a special feature that night.
Kathryne had her favourite, Michoacán Carnitas, named for the state in which carnitas originated This confit of pork, cooked slowly in its own fat, until it’s partly crispy is served with warm tortillas, rice, guacamole, onion, and lime so you can create the perfect taco.
I had the Xcatik Salmon. The fish was perfectly grilled and smothered in a cream sauce flavoured with xcatik chiles, a yellow variety from the Yucatan. It was a bit spicy for me but balanced by rice and sautéed vegetables. The crispy salmon skin was the best part.
The menu has dishes from many regions of Mexico that we’ve yet to try. Molcajete is a dish from the state of Sonora. Served in a lava bowl with a variety of meats and seafood.
You can have your fish breaded or served “zarandeado” style from the state of Nayarit or “tikin xic” style from right here in the state of Quintana Roo.
Last year I had what so far has been my favourite dish there, the tortilla soup, a favourite of Mexico City.
Mexico has such a diverse culinary culture. Some dishes are found in many states, but each state also has its own unique dishes. It’s wonderful to find a restaurant that celebrates that diversity.
Kath’s quote: A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it is not open“. -Frank Zappa
I’ve created a new routine for Sunday mornings on Isla Mujeres. I’ve been packing a beach bag and taking it to church so that immediately after the service at Jax, I can change into my bathing suit and cross the street to the beach. After a couple hours on the beach though, we are all hungry. So today my sister Kathryne picked up lasagna from Il Pomodorino. Located on Juarez between Madero and Morelos you can’t miss this colourful building where you can grab and go.
We’ve had their delicious pizza as our beach meal before but today we tried their lasagna. Advertised as a special of the day it will become a fixture on the upcoming revised menu. It’s a good value at 165 pesos for a single serving and 275 pesos for a double.
We ordered the double and fed three people a nice sized lunch as it also comes with a good portion of “panzas” which are breadstick like piece of their excellent pizza dough brushed with garlic butter. The perfect vessel to sop up the extra meat sauce.
We all agreed that the lasagna was delicious. Homemade pasta with a tomato sauce that was full of ground beef and pork. Sometimes tomato sauce in Mexico is too sweet for my liking, but this was savoury with a good depth of flavour. You won’t find ricotta or béchamel sauce in this version, making it a lighter dish overall. Topped with mozzarella cheese and fresh Parmesan was delectable!
Insider tip: If you are going to eat on the beach the way we did, take your own forks.
Kath’s quote: “Once again, my life has been saved by the miracle of lasagna.”-‘Garfield’ (Jim Davis)
