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.

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