CancúnTom's Mexico

The Habichuela Sunset is the second of 2 family owned restaurants with the Habichuela brand located here in Cancun. The original is located in El Centro and is a local legend for it’s culinary delights. It has been a staple in Cancun since 1977. This newer endeavor has been in existence for a couple of years now. It features a similar menu. The ambiance and decor is spectacular. This is our 3rd visit so I thought it was time to see how they have matured.

This facility is located in the hotel zone at kilometer 14 across from the fire station on the lagoon side. It is very near the Kukulkan Mall. The reservation line is: 998-884-3158 or 998-887-1716. We always make a reservation.

The outside signage……

The palapa entrance-way and valet parking

This is the street level dining room which we wanted to try this time. On previous visits we sat outside in the garden and after that in the lower level dining room at the bottom of the stairway. The decor resembles the Chichen Itza ruins. It is very well done with authentic looking artifacts highlighted with colored lighting.

This is a picture looking at the glass floor panel at the bottom of the stairway…..It’s a leap of faith to step on it as it looks as if you will fall into the archeological dig 7 ft below….

A toast from Suzie to all our readers………….

We started with icy cool Cosmopolitan cocktails….. 88 pesos each

An Hors d’Oeuvres….. toasted bread and crab meat spread….. complimentary

The waiter’s assistant came by with a basket of various hot rolls and buns, your choice served with garlic and plain butter…..complimentary

Suzie started with an Italiana Ensalada……w/ house dressing…….. 93 pesos

I wanted to try their famous Cream of Habichuela string-bean soup…….98 pesos

Recipe: Habichuela Cream  of String Bean Soup

Start with high quality fresh vegetables which is the secret to making the real cream of string beans.

Chop carrots, onions, garlic, leeks and celery.  Cover lightly with flour. Add cold butter, brown until  golden. Cover with water. Stir and bring to a boil then simmer for at least 20 minutes until thickened. Correct the seasoning. Be careful not to add too much salt. Pour into bowls. Use pastry cream in a tube to make the design. We always serve Bean Cream accompanied by our homemade bread.

Recipe for 4 people

• ½ kilo green string beans

• Carrots 60 grams

• 1 clove garlic

• Onion 80 grams

• Celery 40 grams

• Leek 60 grams

• 4 tablespoons wheat flour

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A small scoop of Lemon sorbet to cleanse the pallet before the main course arrives served in a half Guayaba melon….complimentary

Suzie’s dish was the Ginger Shrimp…..340 pesos

Tom ordered his favorite…..Coconut Shrimp w/2 dipping sauces…pineapple and tangy…..335 pesos

Suzie’s wine…Cabernet Sauvignon ……. 135 pesos…(house brand)

Tom’s Grand Mariner…….143 pesos

The railings are hand carved wood and resemble the snake coming down the stairs of the El Castile temple in Chichen Itza…..

The entire back wall is glass providing a beautiful view of the outdoor garden dining area and the lagoon beyond……

 

 The bar………….located on the upper level…………

 The main bar located on the lower level spans the entire floor…..

Closeup of the railing……………

 The wall relief behind where we were seated………..

A panoramic view of the area on the upper level where we were seated……………..the ambiance is so well done here at La Habichuela

We really enjoyed our evening at  La Habichuela.  The food was delicious, perfectly prepared and the service attentive without being intrusive and the ambiance elegant but  comfortable.  We would highly recommend locals and visitors  to Cancun to give it a try.  You won’t be disappointed.

This was our bill for the evening……1,543 pesos or $134.17 USD plus tip…….generally 15 to 20%

(since we paid in pesos at an exchange rate of 12.6 the conversion to dollars works out to $122 USD)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some favorite pictures from memory lane…………

First……. my signature photograph  taken in La Isla, the Hotel zone, Cancun, Mx. 6 years ago w/ my friends Larry, Moe, & Curly

Suzie w/ friends at the Royal Islander in Cancun

Whiskey Tom and Suzie in Ouray, Colorado in 1876

Royal Mayan, Cancun….pool

Passing ship on the horizon in Cancun, Mexico

Friends on Isla Mujeres….sadly Jim Morgan passed away this past year (lower right w/sunglasses)

Sombra and Dylan (Sombra passed this summer)

Tom on the beach in Cancun

Suzie on the DSNGRR ( Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad) in…..Colorado

Dylan using his ball for a pillow….

Our anniversary trip to the Little Mexican Cooking School in Puerto Moreles

 

Tom & Suzie at Wet & Wild……

Pirate Tom on a boobs cruise

Puppy Dyan taking a snooze….

Our often requested  “Atomic Buffalo Turds”

Suzie swimming with a Dolphin

The Cyber Geeks from Hell……

Tom and puppy Dylan…..

Painting by a very talented classmate…..

Tom and Suzie at the Boobs Cruise beach party….

Plates for sale in Playa del Carmen

Charly on the beach….

Our new stained glass windows by Horatio….

Suzie and some  friends in Playa del Carmen….

The bus to Xcaret…..

Valladolid, Mx.

Cool Mini on the street near the post office in Cancun…..

A few of the great meals we’ve enjoyed here this past year……

Suzie’s oil paintings of our 3 K9′s……..Dylan, Chocolat, & Charly….

With our friends Burt and Wendy at Wet & Wild……

Suzie & Tom in the Caribbean at Isla Blanca…..

Our friends from New York on Isla Mujeres…..

Tom’s fantasy ’57 Chevy golf cart……

Whiskey Tom at the art show downtown…..

BGF forever……….Louise & Suzie

Suzie’s painting….

Tom’s painting of a Patrick Nagel original….

A panoramic picture of our garden taken Dec.31,2012 @ noon….temp is 79F w/ humidity @ 54%

It’s been a terrific year for us and we are looking forward to 2013 so we can experience more adventures in paradise to share with you. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Happy New Year……….Tom & Suzie

 

For Thanksgiving we attended the International Womens Club of Cancun dinner and charity auction at the Villa Del Palmar near Punta Sam and Isla Blanca. Part of the festivities was a Mayan beach ceremony……………….