Reviewed: Hennessy´s Irish Pub and Restaurant Merida Mexico

When I was living in Up-State New York, I loved to listen to Proud to Be Irish Irish music that was played on the Radio and still is today, Sundays from 12:00 noon to 3:00pm NY time, on 88.3 The Saint
Copy and Paste this> http://tuner1.dc1.sonixtream.com/solon/media/tuner/tuner?aff=wvcr




I love Irish music, and when I hear it, it makes me think of back home, driving the green hills of the Green Mountains in the Catskills. I also love Traditional Irish food, so when my wife and I discovered Hennessy´s Irish Pub and Restaurant owned restaurateur by Sean Hennessy,from Ireland, Hennessy's is located on Paseo de Montejo in Merida, a few doors down, and on the same side of the street as Rosas & Xocolate Hotel. We knew we wanted to try it out, so, this month, my wife Cristy and I had a visit.





As we walked in we were greeted by two very friendly gentlemen and showed us to our seats, and as you know from my past reviews, that the seats in a restaurant are very important to me, and the seats here are very comfortable. We were lucky to get Noe the Head Waiter; he is very good, and friendly.









The décor is very warm and welcomes you into the restaurant, with lots of wood, and woodwork. Living here in Mexico, I get so tired of seeing concrete, stone, and more concrete, so when I see a house or restaurant with fantastic woodwork, I love it. The bar alone will get your attention, with its fine woodwork and warmth.










Hennessy´s specials are written on a chalk board on the wall, and that alone makes me happy, I hate when you ask your server what the specials are, and they say it so fast, or they don´t remember them all.





The day we went to Hennessy´s there, were many Americans and Canadians enjoying lunch there too.
Noe took our drink order and we ordered an appetizer, called “Paté Con Arugula” A serving of Chicken Live Paté with a touch of cognac, served with Arugula and toasted bread. $60.00 mxp





This was delicious, and you can tell it was just made fresh.


We both love batter dipped Fish and Chips, so we ordered Hennessy´s Fish and Chips.
Crunchy beer battered fish with a touch of chili, potato wedges and homemade tartar sauce


As we enjoyed or appetizer, I had asked Noe our waiter if he could put on some Irish music, and he did it at that moment, and this Italian LOVES IRISH MUSIC.


The walls of the restaurant are many fine photos and painting of scenes from Ireland, and many advertisements for Guinness Beer, but we were in an Irish Pub, and if I did not see any of that I would be worried.





We waited only a few minutes, and our Hennessy´s Fish and Chips arrived, and let me tell you, it was delicious, hot, crispy coating on the fish, and the potato wedges were very good also. The tartar sauce I had, was one of the best I have ever had, they hit that on the head.





It would have been nice to have had some cold Cole Slaw with this, but they did not have any. I also felt that it would have been better if they left the touch of chili out, eating Irish food this Chef feels they should omit the chili, it was still very good, and we will go back.


The prices are on the high side, for the fish and chips, it cost us $145.00 mxp we would have been happier with a price around $95.00 mxp


My wife tried a Ice Cold Beer on Tap, and she Loved it, the funny thing is, it was a Mexican Beer!!






We did not try their deserts, but want to the next time we go back.





Hennessy´s Chef is Chef Jesus Martinez who is a well known Chef from Mexico City, he worked in Pujol one of the best restaurants in Mexico City




Hennessy´s Irish Pub and Restaurant also serves Steaks, Burgers, Chicken, Pasta, Sea Food, Mussels, and dishes for vegetarians


































I give Hennessy´s Irish Pub and Restaurant 3 ½ Chef Hats out of 5











Web Site: http://hennessysirishpub.com/thepub.shtml




Location:
Paseo Montejo. C 56-A No. 486A x 41 y 43, 97000 Mérida, Mexico




Hours Mon - Wed: 12:00 pm - 12:00 am



Thu - Sat: 12:00 pm - 3:00 am


Sun: 12:00 pm - 12:00 am


Description A traditional Irish Pub in Mérida!


Street Parking


Valet


Payment Options: Visa, American Express, Master Card


Services Takes Reservations
Walk-Ins Welcome
Good For Groups
Take Out
Outdoor Seating
Specialties Lunch, Dinner
Drinks


Phone (999) 923-8993


Website http://www.hennessysirishpub.com

PRICE GOUGING at The Italian Coffee Company

Today my wife, and her mom went into the Altabrisa Mall, Merida Yucatan Mexico store, and we sat down and ordered 3 diet cokes, they gave us 3 diet cokes in a can, and when we got the bill it was $75.00 MXN pesos, THIS IS PRICE GOUGING, and we will NEVER go to this DUMP OF A CAFE AGAIN. My God what a rip off, this company shou

ld be ashamed to charge as much as a diet coke New York City, and I

think it cost less there.

I will tell as many people I know not to go to the The Italian Coffee Company, thank GOD we did not buy a sandwich, we would have to take out a bank loan!!!

Chef Bob

NewYorkChef

Yucatan Food Critic for www.Yolisto.com

Reviewed: Le Rueda Parrilla Gaucha

Reviewed: Le Rueda Parrilla Gaucha

There is an old Western television show I love called, "Gunsmoke." The
other day, I watched an episode from 1956, and in it they were eating a
nice, big, juicy steak at the restaurant Delmonico's, and it had me
wanting a nice steak of my own. We asked around, and got word of a very
good steak house in Merida called, "Le Rueda Parrilla Gaucha."

The restaurant is located in the Colonia Emiliano Zapato neighborhood of
Merida. As you pull up to the restaurant, you will see that there is
very little parking, but they do have a parking lot on the side road to
the right. They have a take-out room to the left, but if you walk around
to the right, you will enter the restaurant.

The place is rustic with a cattle rustling theme, and has a big hide of
a cow hanging on the main wall. You will also notice that in the back
there is a place for the kids to play, a very good idea. The restaurant itself is

very large and open, with dark brown colors all around you, like many good

steak houses in the States. They have decorative wooden wine racks built into

the walls, and being from the north of the US, I miss all the wood you find in

many restaurants. The chairs are nice and comfortable, and the waiter is fast

to arrive at your table.

The restaurant is owned and operated by Carlos Perez and his wife Ana
Compos. They started off having parties for kids, and then sold the
steaks for take-out only. Soon, they realized they needed to expand,
closed the party area, and built the dinning room.




The place is very load and noisy, and like most restaurant here in
Yucatan, they have two televisions showing music videos. This is not a
place to come if you want to talk, or romance your loved one. This place
is for steak; good steak, and that's it. Talking is out; I could not
hear a word my wife Cristy was saying to me. We had to use sign
language!



The prices are not cheap nor are they high; I feel that they are just
right.



To start off, Cristy ordered a cold beer, and I had a Coke Light. Our
drinks came out in seconds, along with our appetizer. The drinks were
ice cold, which I love.

For our appetizer, we ordered chistorra asada ala parrilla for $55.00
MXP, a skinny sausage that is grilled, and served with hot corn and
flour tortillas. This was delicious, moist and with that great
charbroiled taste.

Le Rueda offers 3 sizes in the family meal packs: The "Family Package"
for $330.00, the "Half Family" for $205.00, & Individual size for
$120.00 MXP.



We ordered the "Half Family" dinner, called Churrasco, that is steak
marinated with peppers, and rosemary oil. It includes small baby oven
roasted potatoes, and a large grilled onion.



We ordered our steak medium-rare, and that's how it came out. Not only
did it come out cooked to perfection, but it was absolutely delicious,
juicy and tender, with a fine charbroiled taste. The oven roasted baby
potatoes were cooked just right with herbs and rosemary oil.

Le Rueda also offers many other kinds of steaks, including Kobe Beef
Steaks. If you are very hungry you can try the Porter House Steak, which
is 700 grams of meat for $295.00 MXP. That's a lot of meat!

Le Rueda Parrilla Gaucha also has nice salads from $47.00 MXP to $55.00
MXP, as well as desserts, cheesecakes, ice cream, and chocolate mousse.

The waiter was knowledgeable, kind and fast, and your order comes out
extremely fast, too.

This is not a place for a Vegetarian or a person that wants fish. There
is none to be found here... just red meat.



Le Rueda Parrilla Gaucha earns negative points because they do not take
credit or debit cards. You need to bring cash.



The bathrooms are clean and small, and yes they do have the toilet
seats. Nothing worse than going to a restaurant and finding that there
are no toilet seats on the toilets. And like a lot of Mexican bathrooms
the stalls door almost touches your face, when it closes.



The bill for my wife and I, with drinks and tip, was $370.00 MXP, and we
ate like a King and a Queen. In my opinion, it was one of the best
steaks I have had since I arrived in Mexico, and I will definitely go
back. Next time, we will try going on a weekday, as the weekends are too
noisy for us on a weekday; the week-ends are too noisy for us.



You need to give Le Rueda Parrilla Gaucha a try, but go hungry. They
would have received 4 Chef hats, but the fact that they do not accept
credit or debit cards is unheard of, in a restaurant this size. And the
place is way too noisy; if they lay down some carpet it will help with
the noise.



I give Le Rueda Parrilla Gaucha 3 Chef Hats out of 4.







Calle 37 # 352-A x 28 y 30

Col Emiliano Zapato

Merida

999-944-4584



Take Prolongacion de Montejo, and turn right at the restaurant that
sells panuchos "Terrazita Del Norte." After you pass Telmex you will see
the restaurant on your right side.



Tues to Sun

12:30 to 5:00pm



Tues to Sat

7:30pm to 12:00am



Buon Appetito!

REVIEWED: LA FRAGUA FONDUE RESTAURANT

REVIEWED: RESTAURANT LA FRAGUA

When I think of eating a good fondue, it conjures up images for me
of alpine ski huts, deep snow and 20°F weather, and The William Tell Inn Swiss German Restaurant in West Alton, New Hampshire where I worked when I was in my 20’s, and I wish to God, they were here, what a restaurant, The Owner Chef, Peter is best Chef I know, and the food is spectacular.

Well, we don't get much snow or cold weather in Yucatan Mexico, but
that doesn't mean we can't enjoy a good fondue dinner.

Fondue is melted cheese served in a communal pot (caquelon) over a spirit lamp (rechaud), and eaten by dipping long-stemmed forks with breads and meats ,brocolli,
mushrooms, potatos, etc. into hot cheese or oil. It was promoted as a Swiss national dish by the Swiss Cheese Union in the 1930s and became popular in North America in the 1960s.

Since the 1950s, the name "fondue" has been generalized to other
dishes where a food is dipped into a comunal pot
of hot liquid: chocolate fondue, where pieces of fruit are dipped into a melted
chocolate mixture, and fondue bourguignonne, where pieces of meat are cooked in
hot oil.

My wife and I discovered a Small Fondue Restaurant on Calle 50 in Francisco de Montejo called
“La Fragua Restaurant” they specialize in fondues of all types, and pastas, and tacos. We went there for the fondue,since I have been craving for it.

As we entered the restaurant we were greeted by the owner herself
Marianela Hernandez, a very nice and warm host, and her partner
and friend Ricardo Aiza Gonzalez.

There are seats out in the coverd patio, and you can eat outside,but we eat inside, where there is cool air conditioning, very nice décor and painting done by the owner herself.

It is very cozy and romantic inside, with many cute knick knacks on
the walls. They do have the hated Coke Seats, but they also have some nice
wooden chairs that we used. My wife Cristy wanted to try some pasta, so Cristy ordered the "
Pasta Pomodoro ( Tomato sauce with white wine and garlic ) Her pasta had no flavor, and the sauce was blain, with no pleasent plate presentation at all.

I tried the "Pasta Carbonara ( Pasta mixed with egg
yolks,Bacon Bits,Cheese, and cream ) and my Carbonara, was way too starchy and had no taste of the bacon at all, since the bacon was under cooked, it did not give the dish any flavor, and the cheeses seemed to be something other then Parmigiana Cheese.
Each Pasta dish is $60 mxp


But we came here for the Fondue, so we ordered

“Queso Holandes ( Marca el Gallo )” for $110 mxp the Chef uses Queso de bola holandés and Gruyere cheese , then she adds Some cherry liqueur called Kirsch. The cheeses are then
heated slowly so that it does not lump up, and they serve you small
chunks of bread or for an extra cost ,meat to dip it into the hot melted delicious cheese.

Now, this is why we went here, and this alone was DELICIOUS, the
mixture of the Bolla and Gruyere cheese, were spot on. The bread soaked up that hot creamy cheesy mixture, and we really enjoyed this. The Fondue alone is worth the visit to “La Fragua Restaurant”

You can even get a ½ order of Fondue if you like

All fondues prices are180 pesos 400 grs and 110 (200grs)

You can also get fondue with diferent types of meats, vegetables,
and herbs in the cheeses.

For desert we choose to have the Lemon Pie, and this was also
delicious, tart, creamy and the pie dough was flakey.

And the Chocolate Fondue is to dye for, and we loved the fruit and
mashmellows, that we dipped in the Chocolate, delicious!!

Our waiter Ricardo Lalo, was very inattentive and made sure we had plenty of cold diet coke with ice, the way I love it.

And Yes, La Fragua Restaurant take credit and debit cards:

American
Express,Visa and Mastercard

I Give La Fragua Restaurant 3 Chef Hats out of 5

Buon Appetito!

Hours 7:00pm to 12:30am Every Day

Address:

Calle 50 # 187 Francisco de Montejo Merida

Driving there:

Past
Liverpool, and then after Chaduiu Super Market, make a right heading to

Francisco de Montejo, keep going until you get to the round-a-bout that you see
a Burger-King, make a right and drive a few blocks, the restaurant will be on
your left side.

Email: ricardoaiza@yahoo.com

I do Restaurant Reviews for local restaurants in and around Merida and Yucatan. I am a Chef from NY with a lifetime of experience, My NewYorkChef's column appears at least weekly on www.Yolisto.com ...and more if I get hungry.

Reviewed: Restaurant Bella Mar

Reviewed: Restaurant Bella Mar
Telchac Pto

This weekend, my wife and I took a small road trip to Telchac
Puerto. On our previous trips, we always stop at Restaurant Bella
Mar, it is one of our



favorite places to eat on the ocean.



As you begin the drive toward San Crisanto, you will see a very
colorful sign on the right side of the road. The restaurant is
"Restaurant Bella Mar," located just east of the town of Telchac
Puerto. Restaurant Bella Mar is a family owned and operated
restaurant, located on the ocean side of the road.

When we
arrived we were greeted by the owners, Riyong and Veronica Om. As we
walked to our table, we passed many trees, and then the turquoise
green ocean unfolds in front of you. All the tables are on the
beach, so you get a great view of the sea.

Unfortunately, all the tables are the cheap, plastic
Coca-Cola tables and seats, and I hate them because they are so
tight to sit in, but Riyong, the owner, was very nice and got Cristy
and I a nice large chair to sit in.







We ordered some Coke Lights. Don't ask for ice; they don't have it
here, though the sodas are very cold. The restaurant also serves
beer and alcoholic beverages.

The meal will start off with
some much-needed botanas. Enjoy them, because the meal will take a
long time to arrive.

My wife ordered the small Pescado Frito.
It was served with beans and rice, and a small salad. I had the
Stuffed Grouper. It is breaded and deep fried, stuffed with small
shrimp, peppers, and queso de bola cheese, served with beans and
rice.







At 43 minutes, the food took long time to come out, and we were the
only ones eating at the time. The owner was doing all the work
himself, both waiting on tables and cleaning up.

My meal
arrived first, but not my wife's. This is something that really
irritates me, as I was taught in culinary school that this is a big
mistake. I waited as long as I could for Cristy's meal to come out,
before saying, "Sorry Hun, but I have to try it."

The fish
was fresh, crispy, and delicious, cooked with new oil to perfection.
The stuffing was made with small shrimp, sauteed peppers, tomatoes,
and queso de bola cheese. This was a very nice complement to the
fish.







This was one fish dish I did not want to end. Cristy's fish was
meaty, and fried to perfection, and not over cooked like many places
that cook Pescado Frito.

The food is very good here, as is
the scenery, and if you have some time to wait for the meal to
arrive (which you will), then you will want to try Restaurant Bella
Mar. They even let our dog play with theirs. I liked that my dog,
Cremita, could be with us. Heck, you can go for a swim as you wait
for your freshly cooked seafood to arrive.
The restaurant and
bathrooms are very clean,

Prices are about $45.00 MXP
to $130.00 MXP per person, and the restaurant also serves breakfast.


If you want to eat seafood while you look at the Gulf of
Mexico's beautiful ocean, this is the place to come.

I give
Restaurant Bella Mar 3 Chefs Hats out of 4.





Buon Appetito

Reviewed: Baguette's Cafe

Reviewed: Baguette's Cafe

Last night we decided to have baguettes for dinner, so we decided to go
to Baguettes Cafe. They are located on Calle 1H in Col Mexico North, on
the corner of Calle 14A . They moved to this location from the San
Francisco Shopping plaza in Vista Alegre, and it looks like a very good
move.


We are not new to Baguettes Cafe; we went to their place next to San
Francisco many times before.





In the new location, it is more like eating at a fine cafe, and not a
fast food joint. We had two waiters, Benjamin and Edwin, and they took
very good care of us. They do not have a menu in English, just Spanish.



It's simple: Baguette's has sandwiches, on freshly-made baguettes. Their
new restaurant has all-new tables and chairs, and nice decor. You can
also sit outdoors. They had music playing that was nice, and not too
loud.








WWhen you pick out a sandwich, you get to have two side toppings, so I
had the roast beef with bacon and salami. The sandwich includes cheese,
tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and mayo.








My wife, Cristy, had the chicken cutlet sandwich, and chose a double
order of salami for her add-ons. Her sandwich also included cheese,
tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and mayo. br />


The sodas come in the 600 ml bottle with a very large glass with ice.
The sandwiches came out pretty quickly. They serve the sandwiches with
shoestring French Fries, which I am not crazy about because they get
cold so quickly. And they did get cold fast, but the fries where good,
and I could tell that the oil in the fryer had just been changed. This
is always a good sign in a good restaurant.



My sandwich was delicious, and the baguette was fresh and crispy. It
would be nice if they gave you more meat on the sandwich, but it is
served like the sandwiches you get in Europe, with just the right amount
of meats, cheeses and vegetables. It would also be nice if they served
you more Fries with the sandwich.



Cristy loved her sandwich, and said that the chicken cutlet was hot and
crispy, with the salami adding a nice salty taste. And we couldn't come
to Baguettes Cafe without taking home some Chocolate Fudge Cake. It is
to die for!



The restaurant is clean and open style, with a view of the cooks making
the sandwiches and frappes. The bathrooms are clean, and yes, they do
have toilet seats. The restaurant also featured the Mexican trademark of
showing soap operas on television.



Baguettes Cafe offers breakfast starting at 8:00am, and the hours of
operation are 8:00am to midnight, every day of the week.



II give Baguettes Cafe 3 Chef Hats out of 4.







Location:br />
Calle 1H x 14A

Col Mexico North Merida, Mexico



Phone:

Norte : (999) 943-7979

Pensiones: (999) 920-2828

Oriente: (999) 922-3333



Hours:

Mon - Sun

8:00am till 12:00am



Payment Options: CASH ONLY



Buon Appetito