Isla Mujeres - September 2011 - People

One of the things I love most about Isla is my friends there...so here are a few of the people we hung out with. Friends both old and new. (I don't like 'old friend'....how about 'enduring'?)  I missed getting pics of some people because believe it or not, I am kinda shy about shoving a camera in people's faces all the time. So if I missed you, I apologize.





Acting goofy...one of the things I do best







Geraldo, my cabana boy



This guy was working on the roof at Las Palmas. He had the coolest Elvis hair and he was working barefoot walking on beams over an open roof. It was like a show while we had breakfast at A & G.



Searching for sea glass on a beautiful day



Steve prepares the Coco Poo Poos - official shot of Casa Sirena!

Muy Guapo

Steve and Bruce -- hanging out

Micky was drawing something (always something cool) and Gerald was checking it out. This was at Punta Sur

Bev's golf cart doesn't do 'reverse'!

Finally, Bruce starts to relax. On a hammock at Bev's house

Me

Tiffany and Brad. Love these guys!!!!

Natalya and Mark (from Ireland -- so fun!!!!) and Bruce. Bruce cracked me up with all of his little cute sayings and his talent of having a song to sing for every occasion

Steve and Micky

Josefina of Casa Luz Spa. Such a sweetheart. She rescues cats on the island and gives an awesome facial! (not to the cats. Well...not that I know of)

Me again -- look my hair stayed straight for about five minutes in the Sept humidity!

Gerald rises from the sea

Gerald contemplates never going home from the rooftop of Casa Sirena

Tiffany at Barlito with Micky

Tiffany with Chen and Lee's baby -- so gorgeous!

Awesome drawing by Micky of Steve's courtyard. It was presented to Steve at happy hour on our last night and we were all asked to sign the back of it. I was honored!!

Bruce is camera shy. Mmmhmmm

Mark, Bruce and Steve at one of our dazzling Lolo dinners. Ahhhh...



Jill, Lolo and me



Le Chien....yep, you're a person

Going away party for Chen and Lee - formerly of Comono

Micky rode to the airport with us and bought us our final drink. Sigh....another great visit. I miss my Isla.





Chocolate Coconut Pecan Pie

Finished product

Ready to go in the oven

Okay, I don't make my own pie crust. Who cares?

Three words: Best. Pie. Ever. I always make this pie for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

1/2 cup butter (real butter, again..no fake crap in my house except blonde highlights in my hair)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup sugar
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1/2 cup shredded coconut
pinch of salt
1 unbaked pie shell (not deep dish, just regular)

Preheat oven to 350

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt chocolate chips and butter, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs, pecans, coconut and salt. Stir 'em up good and pour into prepared pie shell.

Bake for 35 minutes. Pie will be soft in the center. It's a gooey brownie kinda pie. Serve slightly warmed in the microwave with a generous dollop of fresh whipped cream. Again..real whipped cream. Enjoy...this is what heaven is like.

Isla Mujeres - September 2011 - Delicioso!!

Yes, it's true, I honestly believe that good food is an integral part of vacation. No calorie counting! Isla Mujeres has some of my favorite restaurants and chefs. I love to cook and love to eat and try new things.  I don't really like to deny myself pleasure -- especially on vacations. This blog post is all about the food porn, Baby.


WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU ARE HUNGRY!!!!! Really, I'm not kidding, don't.

A 'Vivian Salad' from Qubano. The salad and the it's namesake are two of my favorite things on the island. A light and flavorful dressing enrobes romaine lettuce, avocado, chick peas, carrot ribbons, jicima, topped with toasted goat cheese medallions.
I should've taken more pics of Qubano food - I think we had lunch there three times this trip - but obviously I was too excited about eating the food to photograph it. Vivian is a wonderful hostess, as well as an incredible chef and dear friend. I like to share books and recipes with her, too. (okay..mostly she just gives me recipes so it's kind of a one way share, but I just love her) Everything at Qubano is delicious and I think I've tried it all.

Pizza in Mexico? Yes, please! A 'Marinara' pizza from Rolandi's downtown and a couple of glasses of wine make the perfect lunch. Shrimp, herbs, and mozzerella cheese all melty on a thin crust from a wood fired oven.

"I can eat a lot of ice cream at one setting" (extremely obscure Monty Python reference)

Lovely, quiet and relaxing dinner at Velasquez with Mr. Wonderful. Tables in the sand with the boats pulled up on the beach that probably brought our dinner. Complimentary guacamole topped with pico that was fantastic.
Velasquez is family owned and a very old Isla establishment. The family was all sitting around watching tv when we came in and Grandma was napping with her head up against a wall. Well...it was pretty late. We eat dinner very late on the island. Partly because we have to fit in happy hour, partly because we are living at such a slow and relaxed pace and partly because if I stretch out the day, I can eat more. :) 
This is the location (I'm told) where Jeff Bridges and Rachel Ward danced and fell into the water in 'Against All Odds'.



Garlic Shrimp at Velasquez. With salad, fries, beans ( there might have been some rice under there, too) Huge portion, cooked to perfection for about $11 US. The margaritas were really good, too, and you know I'm picky about my margs. Oh, yeah....I'll still drink em if you are buying, but I definitely have my favorites. :)



Papaya Agua Fresca at Alexia y Giovanni- Good Morning, Sunshine!

Food Porn at it's finest -- Chilequiles at A & G. With chicken and green salsa. It's like breakfast nachos.

A pineapple pastry and an afternoon read. I like to hit the Supermercado and pick up a few pastries. This one was good, but the palmiers are my favorite.

Amuse Bouche - Eating at Lolo's is so much fun and there are always new tastes to try and new people to meet. Lolo is the rock star chef of the island and a good friend. I've never met anyone quite like Lolo. I stayed with her during a trip in February and had a blast. Her restaurant is unlike any other. A beautiful feast for all of the senses in an enchanted, bohemian setting.

Lolo's Asparagus with Hollandaise. Perfection!

One of my favorite Lolo entrees - Seafood Cassoulet.

The Lolo dessert assortment is always the piece de resistance of the meal for me. Chocolate mousse, assorted pastries, a candied grape, Oh, Baby...take me now!

Greek Salad with Sweet Spicy Shrimp at Comono. Fabulous!

Kbobs and hummus at Comono. Delicious!

I think these are called Enfrijoladas. You can just call them 'breakfast' at Casa Sirena. Scrambled eggs in tortillas smothered in a black bean sauce and topped with chorizo and avocado. They are wonderful!

Guacamole at Capitan Dulche Museum. Not so great. Didn't taste fresh. Steve said 'Costco'.

Quesadillas at Capitan Dulche. They were good, but nothing great. Someone in our party (Bev, I think) had soup which looked delicious and she said it was wonderful.

Fruit and yogurt crepes with granola at Casa Sirena. Yummy, creamy and cinnamonny. Is that a word?

Pineapple juice with chaya on the beach. Ahhhh....

A good book, guacamole (really good and fresh from Na Balam/Zacil Ha), pineapple juice with chaya and the beach. Another day in paradise? You bet!

Mixture of peanuts and pepitos from beach vendor. Yes, I do -- I eat all day long in Isla.

Barlito panini with meatballs that are made from homemade sausage. This was cheesy good deliciousness. I love everything I've had at Barlito. Their food is incredible and Brad and Tiffany are some of my favorite people on the island. I don't know how they have the energy to do all that they do.

Barlito Chocolate cupcake, filled with ganache and topped with meringue frosting. Tiffany's cupcakes are as fabulous as she is and that is saying a lot.

Mojito station at Lolo's. Yes, be jealous because we ate there two times during this week.

Porcini Mushroom Soup with black truffle oil

My favorite - Lover's Salad. Shaved carrots and conch in a garlic ginger dressing. So different and delicious...so Lolo

Zucchini Souffle with Tzatziki Shot

Steamed Shrimp with Hollandaise Sauce and mashed potatoes. The shrimp were huge and absolutely divine.

Dessert! Creme Brulee, Chocolate Mousse, Strawberries, a yummy peach dessert. Oh, it's all too divine

Fresh Fruit at Casa Sirena. Swoon-worthy!

Huevos Divorciados (divorced eggs) at Casa Sirena. My favorite breakfast on the island.