Ice cream heaven began out of hellish circumstances, and I am grateful. Mary Valle, known as the Scoop Goddess, started her business after Pho MX, a popular Vietnamese restaurant she managed, became a lockdown casualty. But when she started Ela2, she was the happy face we looked forward to seeing, especially during those difficult days. …
Oaxaca is known to foodies for its unique flavors, great street food, and mole. A flight of moles instead of beer is not unusual. Sandunga Cocina Tradicional Oaxaqueña has been bringing Oaxaca’s techniques and flavors to Mérida’s Centro for about a year. However, between COVID and the road construction on Calle 47, one might not…
Christmas in Yucatán is truly magical. A ride past the holiday lights on the Paseo Montejo in the evening or on Avenida Libano toward San Ramón Norte will put you in the spirit. So I went in search of shops in Mérida that just plain put out the holiday vibe. Galerías el Triunfo The beautifully…
Do you have a craving for sweets? Or maybe now that we’re getting social again, you want to have treats on hand for company. I have found some fun places in Mérida just in time for the holidays. Abrasoles Pays Pies, pies, and more pies with great flaky crusts, bite-size or whole, delivered to your…
A little restaurant in Itzimná may not have yet caught your eye, but it caught mine. It is tucked away in a little plaza by the school on Calle 19. A delightful young married couple owns Xanath Restaurante y Cafeteria. Itzel Uscanga Orta and Cecilio Pérez Camacho followed their dream of opening a restaurant three…
It seems to me lately that I can’t eat fast enough to keep up with all the new restaurants in Mérida. Here are four of my new favorites. OOP Live Bistro Here’s a new place that emphasizes Pacific seafood combined with Yucatecan ingredients and wines from the Guadalupe Valley. I visited OOP during Restaurant Week…
My family was recently here for six fun-filled days — with a 4-year-old. Fresh from the excitement, here are my recommendations for anyone preparing to visit Yucatán with kids in tow, even small ones. Accommodations It can be through Airbnb, a friend, or a reliable rental agency, but renting a house with a pool, backyard, and…
We were a group of eight, including a child, eager to try a new pizza spot in Mérida. We headed to the Remate, where Pizza Neo did not disappoint. At Pizza Neo — which has taken over a longtime vacant lot bordered by a bare wall — there is courtyard seating and an air-conditioned dining room…
Cornbread on your frappe? Our food scout gets adventurous while searching for a new place to snack
I have been back out on the road, hunting for my next bite of something new. In Mérida, here are some of my latest finds. Hogsons Smokehouse Barbecue is popular everywhere and Yucatán is no exception. Hogsons Smokehouse looks like an upscale Texas restaurant, starting with its bullhorn light fixtures. For appetizers, we tried their…
Recently, Yucatán Magazine highlighted new places to get that Asian fix. But since I love to cook, I am finding recipes for the home kitchen. Here are some of my favorites, and yes, all the ingredients can be found in Yucatán. Asian Slaw Serves 4 Put the following in a bowl: 3 C. cabbage 1…
I only occasionally go out for breakfast or brunch. So when I do go, I want the place to be fun and unique. My friends have helped me with a shortlist of fairly contemporary breakfast/brunch spots north of Centro. Here goes: La Libertad Start with a cup of organic coffee or a hot or cold…
Vegan, vegetarian and plant-based lifestyles are easy to enjoy, despite living in meat-centric Yucatán. Now that we’ve listed our favorite vegan and vegetarian restaurants, here is a look at some local recipes, followed by a few of my own. Traditional meals Green Mexican Rice with Corn Vegetarian; serves 2 ½ C cilantro 1 C canned…
Mexican Citrus Salad with jicama and Yucatán Spicy Shrimp lead the way
Let’s get back out there and try Mérida’s fabulous foodie spots, especially ones that deliver. Here is where we were recently.
It is time once again to get out and explore new places popping up in Mérida
The current Yucatán chill is real. I never thought a gal from Pennsylvania would find the 70 degree days here cold. However, my internal temperature controls have changed, and I am feeling the chill. So how else are we all taking the chill off during these cooler days? Soups are the answer! Local soups are…
Inviting family or friends to stay in your home, or renting out a home or a room to travelers, can be a make-or-break situation. We spoke with local residents, Airbnb owners, guesthouse hosts, and boutique hotel owners and drew on personal experience to create this checklist. 1. A smooth arrival sets the tone for the…
This time of year, when the holidays are so close, and everyone is so preoccupied, it is easy to forget to make dinner reservations for Christmas. So who is serving what — and when — in Mérida? This list is certainly not all-inclusive, but let’s start here. Assume reservations are required at each of these…
One of the things I love most about living here in Yucatán is the great combination of nationalities and the new friends and recipes I acquire. While celebrating in Yucatán as an American, I like combining Mexican foods, Canadian treats from friends I have met — including my friends from the UK and Australia —…
El Fenicio is a Lebanese bakery where busy workers get up early each morning. Good pita bread is hard to find, but they make it fresh here every day. They also carry fresh hummus, empanadas, plain yogurt, tahini, and baba ghanoush. The hummus has a great flavor and is sold in different sizes with the…
Food sleuth Maggie Cale uncovers more hidden treasures in Mérida, and updates her earlier finds.
Maggie Cale’s adventures continue and she unearths yet more hidden treasures in Mérida.
I love finding new little spots to eat, shop, or for reliable service. And I love meeting the proprietors. Their stories are always so interesting. Here are five of the dozens of places I’ve been cataloging. Casa Espejo Boutique Hotel, Restaurant da Luca: a peaceful three-room hotel with an Italian restaurant. The charm of the…
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