Excellence Playa Mujeres offers an irresistible line‐up of nine international all‐inclusive dining options that never require a reservation. The food and beverage program at Excellence Playa Mujeres (EPM) is one I am most impressed with, considering my background and I'm excited to share all this delicious information with you. If you get through this entire post, I hope you strongly consider visiting this glorious resort just for the culinary experience they are able to provide! I've broken down the plethora of information by meal type, options of where to go, what to expect and some other fun culinary offerings at the resort...
Let me first introduce Food & Beverage Manager, Sr. Aldo Barbarin. Aldo was our initial and main point of contact once we arrived at EPM. He greeted us as we entered the resort and I was thrilled we had someone tied to the food and beverage program to be there for us and really connect with my personal interests. Aldo was fantastic and I cannot thank him enough for the amazing service, guidance and care he provided throughout our entire stay. I loved that he took the time to get to know us, our specific culinary interests and really delivered excellent service by going above and beyond as outlined in my reviews below.
Secondly, I wanted to make mention of Executive Chef Antonio Torres Rios. Sadly, on our last day of our visit, he was off from work and we were unable to get a picture with him. But together with Aldo and his staff at the resort restaurants, Chef Antonio provided us with such memorable dishes, highlighting the flavors, textures and culture in each restaurant we dined in. He took the time to share his experience working all over the world, his expertise as we tasted his dishes and also educating us on the cuisine of Mexico - something I truly value and learned so much about.
(Northwest view looking at main building)
A majority of the restaurants are clustered centrally in and around the main building - same one all guests arrive and depart from. Within the main building, you have five eating establishments (Aroma Cafe, Chez Isabelle, Spice, The Flavor Market, Barcelona) and The Martini Bar. Connected to the main building and accessible from outside the building are two more restaurants (Basmati and Tuscany.) There is also a stand alone restaurant, Agave, which is the southern most restaurant, closest to the spa and Buildings 1-6.
Near and around the beach, there are two more restaurants (The Lobster House and The Grill) that sit above the main resort pool and swim up bar. There is also a large open-air thatch-roof palapa (Las Olas) which offers daily themed specials.
(Awesome bartenders at The Martini Bar)
There are a total of 11 bars located throughout the property and a nice cold drink is never more than a few steps away. Some bars have things to eat available, such as self service ice cream and brick oven pizzas.
With so many options to eat and drink, please note that not all places are open at the same time and every night there is at least one restaurant closed for dinner (specific details below). None of the restaurants require a reservation, however there are some tips to take note (additional details below). Now that you know where the food is at, let's go over what options you have for the various meals...
BREAKFAST
There are quite a few options available for breakfast at EPM, including the daily buffet, select restaurants, a coffee house, room service, and the Excellence Club in-room champagne breakfast.
(Outdoor patio seating in front of Toscana restaurant)
Toscana Restaurant offers a daily breakfast buffet everyday of the week. The restaurant is the largest on the resort and there is rarely a wait for a table. You're welcome to dine inside or outside along the patio entrance. It is generally open for breakfast from 7am to 11am. Breakfast offerings include:
(Bread & pastry section from Toscana's breakfast buffet)
fresh baked breads and pastries
sashimi bar with condiments (wasabi, ginger, edamame, soy sauce, etc)
lox & bagels bar with a variety of toppings (hard boiled egg, capers, onions, various cream cheese)
2 made to order griddle stations (for eggs/omelettes, waffles, crepes, pancakes)
chafing dishes with breakfast meats (sausage, bacon, ham)
juice bar (various juices prepared in ready to go glasses and made to order too)
yogurt bar with toppings (granola, fresh fruit, jams, etc)
fresh fruits (melons, pineapple, papaya, berries, oranges, etc
cereal bar (assorted small boxed cereal with milk)
Mexican favorites (quesadillas, taquitos, rice, beans, chilaquiles, etc)
assorted cold salads
mimosa bar with assorted juices and champagne
bloody mary bar with tomato juice, vodka, olives, etc
TOSCANA DRESS CODE: Breakfast - Casual
Shorts, bermudas, sarongs and t-shirts are welcome.
Tank tops, swimsuits and wet clothes are NOT allowed.
If a breakfast buffet isn't your thing, you can also enjoy breakfast The Lobster House. This restaurant is connected to The Grill restaurant and both are situated above the main resort pool and swim up bar. The Lobster House is open everyday for breakfast from 8:00am - 12:00noon. For breakfast, The Lobster House offers:
(Breakfast menu from The Lobster House)
LOBSTER HOUSE DRESS CODE: Breakfast - Casual
Shorts, bermudas, sarongs and t-shirts are welcome.
Tank tops, swimsuits and wet clothes are NOT allowed.
If the daily breakfast buffet or restaurant are a bit too heavy for you in the morning, you can also check out Aroma Cafe. Located in the main building on the top floor, here you can find a great spot to enjoy your morning coffee with ample tables and bright windows. Aroma is open from 8am until 8am everyday and offers items including:
coffeehouse favorites (hot & cold coffee/tea, espresso drinks)
fruit juice smoothies
pastries (served cold or warmed)
savory mini paninis
sweet and savory crepes
gelato (yes, for breakfast - why not?!.. I personally like affogatos, gelato with a shot of espresso poured over it)
AROMA CAFE DRESS CODE: Breakfast - Casual
Shorts, bermudas, sarongs and t-shirts are welcome.
Wet clothes are NOT allowed.
TIP: You're able to request your food and drink order to go - you do not have to eat it at the cafe. They can also provide disposable serving ware if needed.
TIP: If the Martini Bar below is open on the lower level of the main building, you can ask for a shot of liquor mixed into your coffee!
TIP: Like to stay on the grid while on vacation? You can check email and surf the web while enjoying the offerings from Aroma Cafe in the Library/Internet Cafe, located next door. You'll be able to change the language settings from Spanish to English easily or simply surf via Google using a specific country. Just don't save your passwords on the computer and be sure to log off completely as these are public computers!
(Eggs Benedict and Country Breakfast from Room Service)
If you're not much of a morning person, much less interested in going out for breakfast, room service is always available. Room service is available 24/7 and breakfast is the most busiest meal that's ordered via room service. Typically, they communicate a 45 minute wait for breakfast once your order is placed by phone... but their internal target is 30 minutes. (More on this in a bit...) Breakfast room service hours are from X to X and offerings include:
TIP: If you do not want to wait 45 minutes for breakfast or wish to have breakfast ready at a specific time in the morning, I recommend you call in your breakfast order the night before and state what time you'd like it delivered.
Excellence Club members also have the additional perk of an Excellence Club Champagne Breakfast delivered to their room. One Champagne Breakfast is offered per stay, per room and can be scheduled with the EC concierge. The breakfast menu is the same as the standard room service breakfast offerings with the addition of a chilled bottle of champagne. When delivered, staff will be happy to set up your breakfast either inside on the large table or outdoors on your balcony/patio.
LUNCH
Ready to move onto lunch? So lunch options are similar to breakfast where there is also the daily buffet, select restaurants, a coffee house, room service, and beach offerings.
Toscana Restaurant offers a daily lunch buffet, everyday of the week. The restaurant is the largest on the resort and there is rarely a wait for a table. You're welcome to dine inside or outside along the patio entrance. It is generally open for lunch from 12noon to 4:00pm. Lunch offerings include:
(pizza bar offerings at Toscana)
fresh baked breads and pastries
sashimi bar with condiments (wasabi, ginger, edamame, soy sauce, etc)
charcuterie bar (cured meats, cheeses, crackers, olives)
2 made to order griddle stations (for hamburgers, hot dogs)
burger topping bar (cheeses, condiments, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc)
pizza bar of assorted pizzas, flatbreads)
pasta bar (pastas, sauces, meats, etc)
assorted cold salads
chafing dishes with additional lunch dishes
juice bar (various juices prepared in ready to go glasses)
fresh fruits (melons, pineapple, papaya, berries, oranges, etc)
Mexican favorites (quesadillas, taquitos, rice, beans, chilaquiles, etc)
dessert bar (cakes, pies, tarts, mousse, parfaits, ice cream, etc)
TOSCANA DRESS CODE: Lunch - Casual
Shorts, bermudas, sarongs and t-shirts are welcome.
Tank tops, swimsuits and wet clothes are NOT allowed.
(chip, guacamole & salsa from The Lobster House/The Grill)
You can also enjoy lunch everyday at The Lobster House and The Grill. These two restaurants are connected and are situated above the main resort pool and swim up bar. The lunch menu is typically the same at both restaurants. The Lobster House is open for lunch from 12:30pm to 3:00pm while The Grill is open for lunch from 12:00noon to 6:00pm. Lunch offerings include:
Cold appetizers - ceviches & shrimp cocktail
Hot appetizers - calamari, onion rings, nachos, buffalo wings
Soups & salads
Burgers & sandwiches
Pastas
Grilled steaks, ribs
Tacos & fajitas
Chef Specials & seasonal items
LOBSTER HOUSE & GRILL DRESS CODE: Lunch - Casual
Shorts, bermudas, sarongs and t-shirts are welcome.
Tank tops, swimsuits and wet clothes are NOT allowed.
TIP: During the lunch hours, there is often some live music being played on a small stage at The Lobster House, just above the main pool and swim up bar..
If you're still full from breakfast but want something lighter, hit up Aroma Cafe, as outlined above for breakfast. Same offerings throughout the day for something light.
(Aroma Café menu)
Lunch time is fun on the beach! Everyday, something different is offered at Las Olas, an open-air thatch-roof palapa.
Usually with some kind of themed lunch available, you can find out what's being served the night before through the Excellence Times newsletter, which is left in your room during the nightly turn down service. During our stay, the following were offered at Las Olas:
(Spanish Paella cooking event at Las Olas)
Monday - Sub sandwiches and fruits
Tuesday - Ceviches and fish dishes
Wednesday - Taco festival
Thursday - Tex Mex favorites
Friday - Spanish paella
Saturday - Mediterranean gyros
Sunday - Burger day
LAS OLAS DRESS CODE: Lunch - Casual
Shorts, bermudas, sarongs and t-shirts are welcome.
Tank tops, swimsuits and wet clothes are also allowed.
(Made to order brick oven pizza at Sol Bar)
Another beachside option for lunch is Sol Bar where there brick oven pizza is available. There are a few varieties offered including: deluxe, cheese, hawaiian, sausage, pepperoni, etc. Expect a line for the pizzas as they can make a few at a time... but the wait isn't long as they cook up within minutes in the brick oven. Pizzas are served to go in small pizza boxes, allowing you to carry them out and enjoy on beach, poolside, back in your room, etc.
TIP: If eating the pizzas on the beach or around the pool, note there is a pizza box disposal next to Sol Bar. The property has made great efforts in being 'green' and separating waste accordingly. So please do your part and dispose of your pizza boxes in the designated bins.
SOL BAR DRESS CODE: Lunch - Casual
Shorts, bermudas, sarongs and t-shirts are welcome.
Tank tops, swimsuits and wet clothes are also allowed.
And of course, if the midday sun and heat has you relaxing in your comfortable air conditioned room, you can pick up the phone and order room service for lunch. (Just anticipate up to a 45min wait for your food to arrive!)
SNACKS
Whew! With breakfast and lunch done, let's take a breather before we tackle dinner... and talk about snacks. Snacks are everywhere. You definitely will not go hungry or thirsty at EPM!
We've already covered the snacks available in your room/mini fridge - Snickers candy bars, Plain M&Ms, Oreo cookies, Lay's potato chips. Room service snacks are available too.
Some other notable snacks include the self serve ice cream stand at Cafe Kafe - vanilla, chocolate and twist - which you can enjoy on a mini cone or cup. TIP: Bring your ice cream cup inside to The Martini Bar and add a touch of liquor (Baileys or Kahlua, anyone?)
Again, I'll mention Aroma Cafe for their sweet and savory crepes, gelato, mini paninis and pastries.
And because Toscana's lunch buffet is open until 4pm on most days, stop in before they close to grab something to nibble on!
(dessert offerings at Toscana's lunch buffet)
DINNER
Ok... ready for dinner? This is going to be pretty detailed (as if it isn't already) so here we go! As previously mentioned, there are 8 specialty restaurants to choose from. Every night, at least one restaurant is closed in order to have staff help with special events that may be happening and/or to assist other restaurants. Each restaurant has their own special menu where each is different and highlights a specific type of cuisine. As someone who regularly does reviews of restaurants, I was highly impressed with the amount of detail put into the food and beverage program. It went beyond the food and took into account the culture of the cuisine presented. The ambiance of the restaurants, dress and attire of staff, music played over dinner - everything was taken into account to provide a well rounded experience. And to put it over the top, the staff did their best to not only accommodate your needs, but they were also very knowledgeable, professional and so welcoming. Below are my reviews for a majority of the property restaurants, names of specific staff members who made our meals memorable and some notable dishes to try:
Chez Isabelle (French) - We dined at Chez Isabelle on our first night. In fact, on our way to the restaurant, we ran into Sr. Aldo and he escorted us to the restaurant, introduced us to the manager and had us seated at a beautiful table adorned with fresh rose petals. Being this was our first restaurant to dine in on property and I was immediately impressed. The interior of the restaurant is beautiful with turquoise and gold as its theme. Soft candle light and the glow of the chandeliers added ambiance to tables. Clean white tablecloths added a level of class. This restaurant reminded me of being at a top notch restaurant in an urban city. It was at that point, I understood that EPM took resort dining to a new level. Chez Isabelle's menu includes:
Cold salads/appetizers - Nicoise, Pear & goat cheese, Beef tartar, Duck & peppercorn paté
Hot appetizers - Quiche Lorraine, Mushroom & goat cheese crepes, Phyllo wrapped escargot
Soups - French onion, Seafood Bouillabaisse
Meats - Grilled chicken, Grilled beef medallions, Grilled beef tenderloin, Roasted duck, Lambchops
Seafood - Grilled mahi mahi, Pan seared grouper fillet, grilled salmon, broiled sea bass, seared tuna
Daily specials - King prawn tartar; Porcini mushroom cream
Desserts - Cheesecake with praline crust
We started our meal with the pear & goat cheese salad (me) and French onion soup (husband). Both were well prepared and a good portion size. The salad of field greens had roasted pears, creamy goat cheese and orange segments with a drizzle of honey mustard dressing. The French onion soup was made with a touch of white zinfandel wine and topped with a baked gruyere cheese crust.
For our entree, we had the Grilled Beef Medallions (me) and Filet Mignon (husband). Both were prepared exactly as we asked (medium rare). The grilled beef medallions were served with a red wine and black pepper sauce, along with a bernaise sauce. The sauces were just enough for some flavor, and did not overwhelm the lovely cut at all. The filet mignon was served with a cabernet sauvignon reduction and served with mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables.
By the time we were done with our entrees, we were stuffed... so we thought. Our server, Martin, came by with a special dessert from the chef - a dessert tasting plate of cheesecake with a praline crust and chocolate molten cake to share. It was the perfect ending to our meal. Simple dishes are the most difficult to make and our dinner at Chez may have been simply stated but executed perfectly.
After our dinner, Sr. Aldo was there to greet us and ask us how our meal went. He also asked if we would have time to meet Executive Chef Antonio the next day to go over our dinner plans for the rest of our stay.
This restaurant is open from 6pm to 10:30pm.
This restaurant was closed on Wednesday the week we visited.
CHEZ ISABELLE DRESS CODE: Dinner - Casual Elegance
Gentlemen: Long pants, dress shirt
Ladies: Dresses, long pants, capri pants, skirts with blouse.
Shoes: Casual shoes or elegant sandals must be worn.
Not Allowed: Tshirts, tank tops, shorts and beach sandals.
Spice (Asian with sushi bar), was where we had dinner on our second night. This restaurant is popular for their teppanyaki table. We were told beforehand that guests tend to line up at the restaurant before it opens to place a reservation for a spot around the teppanyaki table - which seats 8. There are two of these tables available and so seating can be limited if there is a large group that want to eat together. Sr. Aldo was able to secure a reservation for us, so there was no need for us to wait in line to place our name. When it was time for dinner, we were seated around the table with 3 other couples. Dinner was entertaining and interactive, just as teppanyaki meals should be. Having dined at various teppanyaki restos, I was quite pleased with EPM's quality and the portion sizes were perfect.
We started with a Maki Combo, which included 1 piece of each; California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll and Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese Roll.
To cleanse the palate, we had a nice miso soup.
Our entree was made during the teppanyaki show and guests had the choice of chicken breast, group filet, shrimp, beef tenderloin, squid or a combo of chicken/shrimp/beef. The entree was served with fried rice and stir fried vegetables.
For dessert, tempura ice cream, which were profiteroles filled with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce (or strawberry or honey).
To drink, any requested cocktail, beer, wine, juice and even tea were available.
Aside from the Teppanyaki Menu we had, Spice has a well rounded menu including...
Appetizers to share:
Maki Combo - 1 piece of each; California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll and Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese Roll
Maki & Nigiri - California Roll, Futomaki, Nigiri Ebi (shrimp), Shake (salmon), Maguro (red tuna)
Spice Combination - Shumai, Spring Roll, Chicken Satay and Gyozas
Cold & Warm Appetizers:
Asian Salad
Thai Beef Salad
Sumashi Soup
Tom Kha Gai Soup
Main Courses:
Chili Basil Grouper
Thai Green Curry
Japanese Seafood Curry
Thai Fried Rice
Pad Thai Noodles (with shrimp or chicken)
Tempura Donburi (shrimp)
Yaki Udon Soup
New York Strip Steak Teriyaki
Triple Spicy Duck
This restaurant is open from 6pm to 10:30pm.
This restaurant was closed on Sunday the week we visited.
SPICE DRESS CODE: Dinner - Casual Elegance
Gentlemen: Long pants, dress shirt
Ladies: Dresses, long pants, capri pants, skirts with blouse.
Shoes: Casual shoes or elegant sandals must be work.
Not Allowed: Tshirts, tank tops, shorts and beach sandals.
Basmati (Indian) was where we had dinner on our third night. I love (non-spicy) Indian/Pakistani cuisine so I was looking forward to seeing how Basmati's dishes would turn out being in Mexico. In one word... amazing. My husband isn't that big of a fan of Indian/Pakistani cuisine, so when he was impressed and he finished dishes with no help from me, that was a home run in my book. The first thing you will notice upon entering the restaurant is the ornate entrance as well as a traditional garb worn by the hostess. These small details really add to the ambiance of the dining experience at Basmati and these are details I truly appreciate. You'll also notice a front table with a variety of spices commonly used in Indian/Pakistani cuisine. This signifies that they are not using commercially prepared spice mixes. Our table was once again adorned with fresh rose petals... such a romantic touch!
"Basmati" is the Hindi word for 'fragrant' and refers to the nut-like flavor and aroma of the small, long-grained rice. It has been used in India and Pakistan for thousands of years and pairs well with curries.
While dining here, we left it to the chef to prepare us a special offering of dishes per the suggestion of Executive Chef Antonio. Our server was Angel and he, together with the preparing chef, came by to describe the dishes presented for each course. I had a chance to chat with the chef and learned that while training to work at Basmati, he was taught to cook Indian/Pakistani chef for 4 years. There are actually 2 Indian/Pakistani chefs on staff who came from India to educate other chefs the complex skill of combining traditional spices and prepare the authentic dishes of the menu. They take their culinary training seriously and it was quite evident in the dishes we feasted on...
Appetizers - Samosas and Pakoras. The samosas were delicious and not too doughy, with the perfect balance of dough and filling. These samosas were stuffed with potatoes and green peas. We also had pakoras, which are lightly battered vegetables and fried. Both were served with a trio of sauces - raita, mint sauce & tamarind chutney.
Main Courses - We were each served a tasting platter of 3 entrees and rice. The entrees included Chicken Tikka Masala (grilled chicken in a creamy tomato gravy), Kori Gassi (chicken in ground coconut, coriander and red chili), and Lamb Rogan Gosh (lamb simmered in Kashmiri herbs and spices). All of these entrees were outstanding. It was hard to pick my favorite as I always love a good chicken tikka masala, but the chicken gassi was unique and so delicious. My husband's favorite was easily the chicken gassi. Our entrees came with two kinds of rice - basmati rice and Kasmiri Pulao (basmati rice with vegetable and nuts). We also had a basket of naan bread.
Dessert - By the time dessert came, we were stuffed but managed to enjoy the chef's dessert platter which included a small cake and ice cream to share.
Aside from what we enjoyed, Basmati offers a standard menu to choose from (above) and also two specialized menus:
"Tiranga Menu"
Samosa - stuffed with potato & green peas
Daal Basmati - creamy black lentils
Miloni Subji - assorted vegetables in creamy tomato & onion gravy
Murg Tikka - chicken kabobs in spiced yogurt
Lamb Rogan Josh - lamb simmered in Kashmiri herbs and spices
Side Sadha Chawal - steamed basmati rice
Naan - tandoor baked bread
"Konark Menu"
Pakora - lightly battered vegetables served with green chutney
Daal Tadka - yellow lentils flavored with garlic and mustard seeds
Paneer Masala - cheese & green pepper with cumin and onion gravy
Chicken Tikka Masala - grilled chicken in a creamy tomato gravy
Ghost Atchri Tikka - lamb marinated in mustard oil, fennel & spicy chili
Side Sadha Chawal - steamed basmati rice
Naan - tandoor baked bread
This restaurant is open from 6pm to 10:30pm.
This restaurant was closed on Tuesday the week we visited.
BASMATI DRESS CODE: Dinner - Casual Elegance
Gentlemen: Long pants, dress shirt
Ladies: Dresses, long pants, capri pants, skirts with blouse.
Shoes: Casual shoes or elegant sandals must be worn.
Not Allowed: Tshirts, tank tops, shorts and beach sandals.
Agave (Mexican) was where we dined on out fourth night. We spent the day on an excursion visiting Chichen Itza, where we really were immersed Mexican history and culture. It was great to come back to EPM and continue with a truly authentic Mexican dinner prepared by Executive Chef Antonio himself.
Upon entering, you can't help but notice the attention to detail yet once again. Our hostess, Angelina, greeted us by name before we even said anything. We loved the display of tequilas, which encouraged us to have a drink in hand shortly after lol.
The restaurant itself has a wonderful feel, with the center open and exposed to the sky. It brings in natural light and a very relaxed atmosphere. However, we did not eat under the stars. Instead...
We were escorted to this room, only it was decorated with a beautiful design of fresh rose petals on the floor and up to the table setting. A huge floor candelabra was lit with large candles. We were taken aback by the beautiful dinner setting they created just for us with no other surrounding tables. (We had issues with our camera the night of our dinner that we missed taking a shot of the setting, so we came back the next day to take a picture of the room as a memory.)
Then it was time to start dinner. Executive Chef Antonio came out and explained he prepared several items for our special menu. Some of the dishes were taken from the Agave menu, but many were created off the menu:
1st course
Salsa mexicana
Guacamole
Ensalada de nopal (cactus leaves salad)
2nd course
Ceviche de mero estilo Ensenada (grouper ceviche Ensenada Style)
Gorditas de chicharron / pork rind gorditas (fried corn dough with chicharron)
Salbutes de pavo / turkey salbutes (small corn tortilla with black beans and turkey)
3rd course
Pozole blanco / white pork pozole
Tacos de canasta / basket tacos
4th course
Chiles en nogada / chile poblano stuffed with ground beef and pork, dried fruit and pecan sauce
Enmoladas / chicken tacos with mole poblano sauce
Dessert
Sorbete de mezcal y naranja / mezcal and orange sorbet
Pastel de 3 leches / 3 milk cake
Camote enmielado / candied sweet potato
Throughout the dinner, Executive Chef Antonio not only described the dishes served but also educated us on the various regions of Mexico, their known specialties and the inspiration for the dishes he created. I learned so much during our dinner that I have an even greater understanding and appreciation of both Mexico's culture and cuisine. It was such a delicious and memorable experience and I cannot wait to visit again. Here are pictures of the full menu in which our dinner was taken from:
As our final treat to finish off such an amazing multi-course meal, Hugo prepared a Flambé Mayan coffee, which was involved yet fascinating to watch. Coffee was prepared with a bit of Xtabentún, an anise liqueur made in the Yucatán region of Mexico. It's derived from anise seed, fermented with honey made from the nectar of xtabentún flowers and mixed with rum. Hugo carefully prepared this using flameproof sauce boats by pouring coffee and the liqueur while the alcohol was lit, casting a blue flame. So skillful and delicious too!
Our server was Hugo (far right) needs a little shout out as he was such a wonderful server. We loved how he made us feel so welcome and enjoyed learning about him and his family. With each course, he accompanied Chef Antonio and ensured we had everything we need. We returned to visit Hugo on our last night before we left to thank him for his time, effort and overall service. He was so appreciative, we exchanged hugs and I look forward to seeing him and the other staff again too.
This restaurant is open from 6pm to 10:30pm.
This restaurant was closed on Tuesday and Friday the week we visited.
AGAVE DRESS CODE: Dinner - Casual Elegance
Gentlemen: Long pants, dress shirt
Ladies: Dresses, long pants, capri pants, skirts with blouse.
Shoes: Casual shoes or elegant sandals must be worn.
Not Allowed: Tshirts, tank tops, shorts and beach sandals.
The Flavor Market (gourmet selections), was our dinner choice for our fifth night. This was such a great restaurant and I only wish we stayed longer to enjoy the variety of offerings available. Our dinner menu was also custom planned on our behalf by Executive Chef Antonio. His head chef at the restaurant prepared our dishes and came out at every course to describe each to us.
We were seated at this table, only again, adorned with fresh rose petals and candles. It was beautifully done as usual! Our server for the night was Francisco (middle), who was fun, entertaining and so personable. We really enjoyed his energy at dinner and are so thankful for the warm welcome and service from the restaurant manager (left) and hostess (right) too.
We started the dinner with some sangria and three various kinds were available made with red, white and peach wines. They were all delicious and I could have easily had a pitcher to myself at the table! For our dinner, we enjoyed the following dishes:
Pimientos del piquillo relleno de cangrejo / piquillo peppers with crab salad
Croquetas de jamon serrano / serrano ham croquettes
Mejillones al vino blanco / mussels in white wine
Lengua de ternera en salsa de perejil y ajo / veal tongue with parsley and garlic sauce
Montadito de manchego y chorizo / manchego cheese and chorizo
Chistorra / spanish sausage
Pulpo a la gallega / galician style octopus
Tortilla de patata / spanish omelette
Everything was wonderful and such a nice combination of flavors, textures all in well sized portions. This is a place where you'll want to try everything on the menu to share while sipping sangria through the night! We especially loved the cheese platter that was offered and we came a second night just for some cheese & bread to snack on. Aside from what we enjoyed, the restaurant has two large menu boards outside with their offerings and a smaller one inside...
Overall, I loved how the interior of the restaurant truly has a Spanish tapas feel complete with the traditional tapas bar with refrigerated cases. Inside the cases a few prepared tapas ready for serving, perfect for a quick snack or appetizer with cocktails in hand.
This restaurant is open from 6pm to midnight.
This restaurant was closed on Thursday the week we visited.
FLAVOR MARKET DRESS CODE: Dinner - Casual Elegance
Gentlemen: Long pants, dress shirt
Ladies: Dresses, long pants, capri pants, skirts with blouse.
Shoes: Casual shoes or elegant sandals must be work.
Not Allowed: Tshirts, tank tops, shorts and beach sandals.
The Lobster House (beachside lobster) was where we had our sixth dinner, the last restaurant we had dinner at during our stay. We've eaten here previously for lunch (which we loved!) and we were anxious to see how dinner at The Lobster House would be. We were seated overlooking the lit up pool, which was gorgeous at night, with the beach off in the distance. Our table was beautifully decorated with more fresh rose petals and napkin swans with tealights. Such a romantic setting!
Sr. Aldo greeted us as we were seated and together with the head chef of The Lobster House, they presented our dinner and described it for us...
Ensalada Excellence / Excellence salad
Crema de champiñón porcini y trufa blanca / porcini mushroom and white truffle cream
Cola de langosta en mantequilla de eneldo / lobster tail in dill butter
Sorbete / sorbet as a palate cleanser
Filete de res, pure de papa, reducción de cabernet / beef filet, mashed potatoes, cabernet reduction
Peanut Butter stuffed chocolate cake and tres leches cake
After this