One of the many reasons I love Isla, is watching the sky at sunrise.
On this day, neither Sue or I had writing to do so we grabbed a bus and headed mid island for brunch at Casa Mkx.
MapChickappshas a new navigational feature and Sue followed our progress and then she shouted to the driver to let us off. That’s the way the system works here.
The food as shown in this blog link here: ( https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-mujeres-2025-restaurant-features-casa-mkx-written-by-sister-3/ ) is art and that is because a former Madera chef is at the helm.
When you have a meal, you are welcome to use the pool which is lovely. There are also classes under the palapa. We witnessed a boxing class and salsa dancing had been scheduled at 8 am. It was nice to get out of Centro for part of the day.
After a brief Happy Hour with Donna and visit with neighbour Cheryl, I was out the door again.
This time to dine with our friend Gustavo at Isla Burger. Brother Kelly and his wife Lorraine joined me. The food was perfect, as usual. Here is the Restaurant Feature that I wrote for the blog. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-mujeres-2025-restaurant-features-isla-burger/. Gustavo has met many members of my family including my niece and goddaughter Dani and her husband Dylan who live in Australia!
When the rain started, Kelly gave up his poncho for me. What a guy! In the rain I joined Donna for the 4 Nations Hockey final. It was fun to watch with an equal number of US and Canadian fans. It was a full and wonderful day filled with family and friends, old and new.
Kath’s quote: “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold.” – Nursery Rhyme
Learning how to let it go… Why is this a lesson I have to learn over and over again?
I was still at sunrise
and then I did a loop around my hood.
Here’s another question: If this suffices as my kitchen in Centro, why do I have to have such a well stocked and appointed one in Canada?My little balcony that I am so grateful for in a Centro apartment
I had missed our cleaner the day prior so I waited all day for her and she never came. I had lots of writing to do anyway but I got all indignant about that. Why? Well today I dont know why. I am letting go.
My only glimpse of sunset that evening.
There was a misunderstanding about our dinner arrangements
I do love dining on Hidalgo. People watching is almost as good as the food! I said “almost”.Donna enjoyed her tortellini in rose sauce.Sue loved her fruita de mare pasta. The foil is to keep the dish piping hot. The only other place i have seen it served this way? Riomaggiore, Italy!I order eggplant everywhere I go. How did Momma Rosa’s stack up? Top Five in the World!
but we ended up at Mama Rosa’s, a place I had never been before. The food was amazing and the evening was a lovely one!
Let it go, let it go…
Kath’s quote: “It’s funny how some distance makes everything seem small and the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all.”- songwriters Robert Joseph Lopez and Kristen Jane Anderson
This hidden gem is tucked away on a very residential street. I was glad my taxi driver knew exactly where to take me. I may have otherwise missed the entrance. On street level, a bit of signage is the only indication that you’ve found the place.
There is no storefront because the main floor of the building is the home of the family who runs it. Through the gate and up two flights of stairs and you’re in the dinning room; an open area with a bar and handsome wooded tables. A lovely setting for dinner, but I had heard about the amazing views from the very top so we ascended one more staircase to discover what is likely the best 360 degree view on the island.
We were greeted by Julio, who with his brother Misseal are the proprietors of La Casa del Ceviche situated atop their Abuela’s house.
Julio started us off with refreshing beverages, (my horchata was especially delicious), and a big plate of ceviche mixto. Because? How can you dine at the house of ceviche and not eat any? And it lived up to its namesake. The conch, octopus, and shrimp were tossed in lime, onion, tomato and cilantro, topped with perfectly ripe avocado, and served with freshly fried chips.
For our mains we had the coconut shrimp and the shrimp tacos. The coconut shrimp portion was huge with six large shrimp. A mix of panko and coconut, the coating was crispy and the shrimp flavourful. Served with a lightly dressed salad of mixed greens and fluffy rice, this dish could be easily shared as dinner for two. My favourite part was the sweet mango habanero dipping sauce.
The tacos of shrimp, red onion and peppers sautéed in white wine were also tasty. Although we were so caught up in conversation that our tortillas were a bit dry by the time we ate them. Totally our fault, but maybe I’d ask for my tortillas on the side next time so I can fill them as I eat them and they stay soft and warm under a napkin.
The brothers take great pride in the fact that every item on the menu is made from scratch. The dessert selection looked tempting and all the desserts are homemade by the wife of Misseal.
La Casa is known for its free delivery anywhere on the island. Including to the beach or out to your boat. Delivery is available on the same schedule as the restaurant, noon to 10:00 pm daily.
The restaurant can accommodate up to 40 people and the space can be booked for special events. It would be a perfect space for a celebration under the stars.
Watch for a new menu coming soon. And plans are underway to open a rooftop bar on the other portion of the terrace next year.
Kath’s quote: “For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me want to dream.”- Vincent Van Gogh
Sunrise from a stationary place. I realised that when I am walking the malecon with a group, something was missing in my moring. So I went back to my former habit of solitude while watching the sunrise and couting the many blessings in my life. It made for a sweeter day.
Do you see how the morning sun hits my chair perfectly?
I spent the morning writing and had a leftover lunch.
I disassembled the bacon wrapped jalepenos from the night before, making half a sandwich with crispy bacon and the gooey cheese from inside the pepper.
For dessert I halved a market mango and scooped it out into luscious bites.
I spent some time with Kelly and Lorraine under the palms at the beach. It was a hot one so Lorraine and I took a dip in the sea.
This was my only glimpse of sunset
That evening we cabbed it to the colonias for a fabulous dinner at a local family place.
These were just the condiments!The owners of Taqueria Mafer are on the right
To check out all of the wonderful food that we ate that evening, please follow this link. https://foodmusings.ca/isla-mujeres/isla-mujeres-2025-restaurant-features-taqueria-mafer/
It was like going back in time for all the reasons that I feel in love with the island in the first place.
Kath’s quote: “I know I am in love with you because my reality is finally better than my dreams.” — Dr Seuss
I think I can honestly say that I have never been as excited to try a new restaurant in Isla Mujeres as I was to try Yaakun. I am what you might call a food groupie. Having received formal culinary training myself, I truly appreciate the art of cooking. It takes a lot of discipline to hone your skills over years of learning and practicing. I went to college a very long time ago. I learned the basic skills I needed to cook in the restaurant industry. But I have learned so much more about food through my travels, research, and following the careers of other chefs. I take a special interest in the food of the Yucatan region, as it has a huge influence on the culinary scene in Quinta Roo, the state in which you find Isla Mujeres. A few years ago I was in Merida in the state on Yucatan where I tried lots of dishes for the first time. So imagine my surprise to learn that the menu of Yaakun, recently opened right here on the island, was created by award winning Merida Chef Obed Reyes. I’ve seen him on the Netflix show Taco Chronicles (season 2 episode 2 if you’re interested). He was talking about cochinta pibil, a dish I’ve enjoyed for years and often make at home. Looking at the menu he developed for Yaakun, it is clearly Yucatan. While it is down to earth, it is also immensely beautifully presented. Chef Reyes still lives and works in Merida, his restaurant there is called Holoch if you ever get a chance to visit, he has trained the team here to execute his vision to a tee. He was in town for the grand opening and I missed meeting him by one day. Maybe another time. Anyway, enough gushing. Let me tell you about Yaakun.
Situated on Juarez, across the street and just north of La Lomita. The building has a new facade but the footprint is the original family house of the grandmother of Nacio, one half of the restaurant’s creative team. He is married to Valerie, whose family home is just a short way down the block. Valerie pointed out some of the original features of Nacio’s family home that still remain, from the tile floor to some of the windows. She is quick to point out that all the design choices including the look of the logo, the menu, the serving vessels, are all Nacio.
She oversees the service end of the business and has brought on board a very experienced team, many of whom you will recognize as long time professional waiters.
As you enter the restaurant you’ll be in the bar area. A place for a nice drink and melow music. Looking at the liquor selection, you’ll likely see a wide variety of bottles you’ve not seen before. These artisanal libations were my first indication that this was going to be a special experience. But more about that later.
We started out in the dining room for lunch. A lovely space of dark wood furniture, sage green walls, and photography of Mayan subject matter. It was perfect for good conversation with my friend as we tried as many dishes as we could manage, knowing there would be incredible leftovers to enjoy the following day.
We selected three appetizers. First was the Longaniza de Valladolid. A smoked pork sausage made from scratch in-house and flavored with achiote and fire grilled. It is dry sausage which is to be enjoyed with chiltomate tomato sauce, bean sauce, and a grilled sour orange to squeeze over top.
Next was the Pibiuas, these crunchy little white bean and pumpkin seed cakes are halved and stuffed. We had two with cochonita pibil topped with pickled red onion and one with lomitos, a tomato and white bean pork stew with boiled egg. It is quickly becoming a house gem.
Our third appetizer was my favourite. Kibis is a fried beef and wheat meatball stuffed with Edam cheese. I loved the crispy edges of these flavour bombs.
I have to admit I accidentally ordered three appetizers because I misunderstood and thought they were out of the main I wanted to try, relleno negro. Not an easy item to find on menus on the island except perhaps a few Mom and Pop places. So I was delighted when it was brought to our table. For me this was the absolute highlight of our meal. I first had it in Merida where the meat was served on a salbute with slices of egg. Here, this turkey stew is served with fresh tortillas. Spices are blackened and ground to make the sauce. In the Yaakun version a pork meatball surrounds the boiled egg. Though it looks odd, it’s absolutely incredible.
It was a perfect afternoon. But we had yet to try one of the specialty cocktails that used those artisanal spirits I saw at the bar in the way in. Turns out there’s a bit of a secret cantina hidden in the back of the building. One of those “if you know, you know” things. We happened to be in time for an afternoon set with island musicians we have know for years.
So we enjoyed our cocktails as we were served small “botanas”, little bowls of simple Mexican tapas to complement your cocktail.
My friend ordered a Palo Monte. A pineapple, passion fruit drink with charanda tequila and gifiard banana liqueur, kalani coconut rum liqueur, and cinnamon. Like dessert in a glass.
I selected the namesake Yaakun. A show stopper of a drink in both presentation and taste. Pineapple and mango with Sokol, a liquor which is similar to tequila and mescal, it comes from Chihuahua and has a smooth smoky flavour. It was unique and refreshing. It is presented in a ceramic glass featuring the Mayan Jaguar mask. I will absolutely be back for a cocktail in the cantina. Rumour has it you can catch a salsa band later in the evening in the cantina space.
You may be wondering what Yaakun means. Well fittingly, it’s the Mayan word for love. And you can feel the love that went into the creation of every aspect of this place. The deep respect for the history of the home itself, honouring the cuisine of the region, carrying on the tradition of a back room cantina, and the love of Valerie and Nacio’s big island family.
Kath’s quote: “Family is not an important thing. It’s everything.” –Michael J. Fox
