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Tag-Archive for "Restaurant Reviews"

Restaurant review……el Principio restaurante Author: CancunTom Aug 17

A LITTLE MUSIC TO PUT YOU IN THE ITALIANO FRAME OF MINE WHILE YOU READ MY REVIEW:

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This little Bistro is across and down the street from the Bull Ring on Bonampak. It is on the ground floor of the Hotel Bonampak. It has 8 tables and is popular among the local businessmen at lunch time. Be prepared to wait for a table. It offers good food, excellent service  and  reasonable prices. The salads and pastas are huge portions. You can order  “medias” (half) portions, which is what we did.  We had decided that since it was lunch, we would pass on a salad. I had to try the Spaghetti Bolognesa (140 pesos full/80 pesos medias) since it had been strongly recommended by an Italian friend of mine. He promised that it was the best in Cancun and even better than his own version. I was not disappointed, it was fantastic. Suzie ordered the medias Fusilli Primavera but changed the type of pasta to fettuccine. She was equally happy with her choice. We recommend that a couple order one full order of pasta and one salad and share. The full portions can easily feed 2 hungry people.

This is the doorway…..

Ambiance is plain and dignified and w/ a low noise and soft appropriate music playing in the background…..

The menu was clear and well done…….

and had several pages of selections…………..

including desserts……..

Fresh hot garlic bread baskets were served and replenished often……

Suzie’s order, the Fusilli Primavera…………..made with fettuccine pasta

my Spaghetti Bolognesa…………….

I loved these napkin holders…………..we could really use one out on our patio table……..

We were experiencing a torrential downpour that lasted over an hour, and the streets flood here very quickly…..

You can see the bull ring across the street in the background, we waited it out at the table closest to the door while enjoying a couple more glasses of  wine.

After the water level subsided we were able to get to our car and head on home. We will definitely return to El Principio.

Our bill came to 330 pesos ( $26.40 USD ) which included our  2 pasta dishes, a diet coke, a beer, and 2 glasses of red wine.

Address: Ave. Bonampak 227, Sm 4, El Centro, Cancún, Quintana Roo, 77500
Phone: 998/892-8499
Cuisine: Italian
Location: El Centro/ across from the Bull Ring

Category: Living in Cancun, MEXICO, Q-Roo, Restaurant Reviews, Travel, Trip Reports, Vacation, Yucatan  | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  | One Comment
Restaurant Review: Yamamoto japanese restaurant Author: CancunTom Jul 26

Yamamoto  is the oldest Japanese restaurant in Cancun. It is in a convenient location if you live in El Centro as we do. If you don’t they will send a van over to pick you up and bring you to the restaurant ……..for free! It’s just down the street from the Immigration office. It offers a oriental atmosphere, affordable pricing, and very good service. The phone number is: (998) 887-33-66 They have a outdoor dining room as well as a Sushi Bar and dining room inside.

From across the street………at night

during the daytime………


Hours

Location: corner of Rubia and Uxmal

Entrance and outdoor dining area……..

Menu posted on outside wall…………sorry for the bad photo, I shouldn’t have used the flash

the dining room…………

some accessories to set the mood

Each person starts out with a complimentary bowl of marinated  cactus slices that were very tasty. They are a dark green and look a lot like string beans. You can just see a couple in the bowl with the chop sticks laying across it.

Wakame-Soup (Natural seaweed soup)

Sashimi-Usu-Tukuri Mix (assortment of thinly sliced fresh fish)

Don’t know what to call these but the reddish one was cabbage and the yellow one possibly turnip marinated in vinegar.

Ingredients to make Suki -Yaki (thinly sliced beef and vegetables cooked in a special sauce)

The thinly sliced beef

They start out by rendering a chunk of beef fat in the sauce pan…..

then the vegetables are added and seared….

next the beef slices are added and cooked to rare, medium, or well

When its all done the our chef/waiter, Jose spoons each of us a bowlful of Suki-Yaki….

My finished Japanese rice and Suki-Yaki

Green Tea Ice Cream…………..something a bit different

Fried Ice Cream w/ Chocolate

Here’a google map to help you find Yamamoto


The bill……

There were 4 of us, my wife and I and 2 friends.

We had: 2 glasses of red house wine, 2 bottles of beer, 3 green teas, 2 orders of the Usu-Tukuri Mix, a side w/ turnip and cabbage, 1- 1/2 order of the Suki-Yaki, 3 green tea flavored ice creams, and 1 fried ice cream w/chocolate.

The total with a 10% locals discount= 1,052 pesos (approx. $84.00 USD) not including the tip.

We definitely plan to revisit this restaurant. We really enjoyed the food and everything else about it.

Category: CANCUN, Living in Cancun, MEXICO, Q-Roo, Restaurant Reviews, Travel, Vacation, Yucatan  | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  | One Comment
Restaurant review-El Shrimp Bucket (Cancun Zona Hotelera) Author: CancunTom Jul 21

While staying at the Royal Sands in Cancun a few weeks back we stopped at El Shrimp Bucket restaurant to try their Friday afternoon only buffet. It starts a 1pm. This Shrimp Bucket is located at approx. km. 15 on the lagoon side of Kululcan Blvd.. Just south of Aqua World. They have a large “L’ shaped dining area and an outdoor deck right over the water. They also have a pier where you can dock your boat. If you bring them your catch of the day, they will cook it for you. On Fridays, they have an all you can eat buffet starting at 1 PM. At other times, food is ordered from the menu.  We arrived around 2pm and the small parking lot was crowded but they had valet service. The restaurant was also crowded but we were quickly seated at a nice table where we could view the current World Cup Soccer match. The buffet selections were comprised of all the usual salads, soups, ceviche and several different types of poultry, beef, fish and shrimp prepared in different styles. I really loved the coconut shrimp. The buffet was restocked often with small portions of each dish therefore keeping the food hot and fresh. The ambiance is like most theme type restaurants and it is designed to look like what it is, a dockside seafood hangout. The beer was cold and on draft which I prefer. The waiter was attentive and the food, was certainly good enough for the price and quantity. El Shrimp Bucket is a nice fun friendly place and we would recommend that you give it a try.

The roof signage from the parking lot

The entryway

Just inside the entry and before entering the dining room

Many fish nets and other interesting stuff hanging from the ceiling

The waiter brought a bucket of ice to our table which contained the various bottled sauces.  I was happy to see that they were kept on ice.  My wife enjoyed a few of the Oysters Rockefeller and liked them.

My first pass thru the buffet: garlic fish fillet, garlic shrimp, shish-kabob,corn, and strips of beef, croutons for the delicious soupa……

The view out towards the Nichupte’ lagoon


Their menu if you come in the evening or any afternoon except Friday.

The buffet is inexpensive and atmosphere family friendly. Give El Shrimp bucket a try on your next visit to Cancun. Phone number is: +52 (998) 840 6466 .They have a small nicely done web site at: www.shrimpbucket.com



Category: CANCUN, Living in Cancun, MEXICO, Q-Roo, Restaurant Reviews, Travel, Vacation, Yucatan  | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,  | One Comment
A week at the Sands part II Author: CancunTom Jul 04

On Sunday, Tropical Storm Alex was passing nearby and we had white caps in the swimming pool and the rain was coming down sideways parallel to the ground!  We decided to go to the breakfast buffet at the Veranda restaurant here at the Sands. The weather was causing the wind to whistle loudly inside the restaurant but we had a great breakfast in spite of all the noise. The selections this time were more limited than in past visits to the Sands. I would say about half they once were. Obvious cost cutting has occurred, perhaps as a reaction to the economy in the USA and Mexico or perhaps they cut back during the summer??

Around 12:30PM our  friends Al & Louise joined us to watch the soccer match between Mexico and Argentina in the sports bar here at the Sands. It was crowded and everyone mucho enthusiastic. The match was exciting  and everyone really enjoyed it. Unfortunately Mexico lost 3-1.

After the game we all went for a walk on the beach and then a dip in the pool. We all took advantage of the 2 for 1 Happy Hour at the pool bar and spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying our drinks while standing in the pool to keep cool.

Over the next few days the weather improved gradually and by Friday the beach flags were changed from red to yellow. I tried wave surfing but a big one got me and I went for tumble and decided that the pool would do.

Every time we visit the Sands I take a picture of the beach sign holding my hand out to the birds…………….this years picture:

Here’s Suzie’s

The next morning we ate in, just coffee and pop tarts. Then we went for a long walk on the beach together, returned and hit the pool area with our books, Bloody Mary’s, and sun screen. We read for a couple of hours, did some swimming and just kicked back. Later in the evening we went to a special place for dinner. The El Conquistador at the Royal Mayan. Jorge Duran entertains the diners with his guitar playing which I think is world class.

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We enjoyed salad, lobster bisque, prime rib , Steak Diane prepared table-side, and some really good red wine.

We were too full for dessert, so we ordered Gran Marnier on ice and listened to Senor Duran play. Afterward we walked over to the La Palapa pool bar and had Baileys on ice. It was a good night. Stay tuned for part III in a couple of days……………

Category: Beach Restoration, CANCUN, Entertainment, MEXICO, Travel, Trip Reports, Vacation, Yucatan, weather  | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  | 2 Comments
Restaurant Review: Plaza La Isla Italianni’s Author: CancunTom Jun 14

This past Saturday night we tried out Italianni’s restaurant.  We usually avoid “theme type” restaurants and seek out the more specialized and ambient laden establishments. Italianni’s, as the name suggests, is a Italian themed restaurant. This particular one is located in the Plaza La Isla outdoor shopping village at about km 12 on Kukulcan Blvd. in the hotel zone of Cancun, Mexico. It’s easy to get to and plenty of parking is available, but you must pay a modest fee to do so. Plaza La Isla was very crowded Saturday night. The weather had cooled  so everyone was taking advantage of the pleasant evening. Since it’s world cup soccer season they had a drumming band and a parade going around the walking streets getting everyone in the mood to support the Mexican team.

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After the parade had passed………we found the entrance to the restaurant


The Gelato counter is right at the entrance way…….yummy

Our friends and table -mates………………..Louise and Al

The menu cover………….

The Antipasti and Zuppe e Insalate selections……….



The dessert  selections…………

Our Caesar salad for 4 .   The salad  was not freshly made and therefore was a bit wilted.  I would not recommend it. It was OK, but we are used to better.

Next came our Minestrone Soup……………..delicious!

We also had an order of Garlic Tuscan Bread which we devoured before I could take a picture. Sorry……..

Now our main courses…………we each tried something different……..mine was the Spaghetti Bolognese. This is my idea of the perfect sauce for Spaghetti and I really liked this version. I couldn’t have been happier with it…………….

Suz ordered the Capelletti with chicken, spinach, and pine nuts…………….which she really enjoyed.  The lemon flavor came through and the pine nuts added an interesting crunch.  She could not consume it all and needed a “doggy  bag” to take the remainder home. (But I don’t think Dylan will ever see any of it) :)

Louise ordered the Spicy Pepperoncino Fusili

and Al ordered the Chicken Parmesan……..

We had the house wine with our meals and it was fine, it was served in individual carafes so I don’t know what brand it may have been. It was a medium red wine.

Next came our desserts…………yummy……….each couple shared and we went with the Gelato, pistachio for me and Suz, and Caramel for Louise and Al………..

All followed………of course by a cappuccino………

Our waiter was Santos, he was terrific and his English was pretty good too.

Our bill totaled 1570 pesos (124.60 USD). This included complimentary bread basket and dipping oil w/ herbs, 2 soups, 1 Large Garlic Tuscan Bread, Caesar salad for 4, (8) glasses of medium red wine ( house ), 4 entrees, 2 desserts, one cappuccino  and one cafe Americano. This did not include the tip.

All 4 of us really enjoyed this meal and would go back again. It was very reasonably priced and well prepared. The service from our waiter Santos was excellent. Their only miss was the salad . It was a great evening out.

Afterward we walked around romantic Plaza La Isla and stopped next to the jumping fountains to have a night cap at a outdoor cafe.

If your in Cancun for your vacation don’t miss a chance to visit La Isla. Go in the early evening, after dark with your favorite partner and you’ll have found a special place to visit.

Category: CANCUN, MEXICO, Restaurant Reviews, Travel, Vacation, Yucatan  | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  | 2 Comments
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