It's time to review another Restaurant

It's time to review another Restaurant

Sunday, December 7, 2014

 
 
SOMA is back in Town!
 

 
On Saturday, we had the golden opportunity to eat at the newly relocated SOMA restaurant owned by Chef Alberto Balderas and his wife Linde Balderas.
SOMA restaurant was located in Chelem, but has now moved to Merida, near Costco.
They have out done themselves, with the beautiful decor and furniture, the decor is modern and with warm colors, that makes the place inviting and cozy.
and  if you read my reviews, you will know that the chairs are a very important part of my review, and I love the cushioned chairs.
 
 
Linde Balderas greats you with a big smile and a warm hello.
 
When you are sitting, you can see the owner Chef Alberto , through the glass partition cooking diligently away to make the perfect meal for their guest.
 
The waiter arrived and his name was Chess and quickly took our drink orders, and let me tell you, he has to be one of the best servers I have seen in years, very attentive and polite.
Chess
 
For starters we had Shrimp & Grits, with Spanish chorizo and fried jalapeños. I am a New Yorker, and I never eat grits, but DEAR GOD, this was out of this world, the grits were creamy and with a mild cheese, and the Shrimp was cooked by a Chef who knows how to cook Shrimp, and with the taste of the chorizo and fried jalapeños, I could not stop eating it, wow it was great, and the presentation and portion was nice also.
Shrimp & Grits, with Spanish chorizo and fried jalapeños
 
Next we had Potato Gnocchi with Pork Belly that melted-in-our-mouths,
and with a ragout or oyster mushrooms , peas, leeks, cherry tomatoes, and topped off with fresh grated parmesan cheese.  Chef Alberto has this dish down pat, wow, it was so delicious, and this I could just eat for a main course, this is how good it was.
Potato Gnocchi with Pork Belly
 
Then next was our main entree, my wife we had the 600g Pork Chop, that came with
local two bean Sweet Potatos Pave & a demi
The Pork chop was cooked just right, and I could taste, that it had not been frozen like so many restaurants here do, Chef Alberto pan seared the chop, with just the perfect spices and demi ,at the first bite, I told Cristy we need to come back, and next time I want to try his Ribeye Steak.
 
I don't like lima beans, and would have like to see more corn, or maybe some brussel sprouts that I love, and it looks like Chef makes a perfect one.
 
I will keep the photo Large to make your mouth water!!
SOMA'S 600g Pork Chop
 
The desert was also very good, it was a " Choconola Cheese Pie " a sweet cream cheese mousse, with granola ,fresh berries and a Chocolate sauce.
It was light, very tasty, creamy and crunchy, with the right combination of the Chocolate sauce and berries, wow it was so good, and nice and cold too.
Choconola Cheese Pie
 
The only thing that I don't see on the menu is a good old Hamburger, I was told they will serve it for a special at times.
 
 
Here are some photos of SOMA and the Team.
 
Chef Alberto is the one on the right, and his wife Linde is the 3rd from the right back row.
 
Outside seating

 
Some of the dishes they make
Pork Belly
 
Ribeye Steak
 
 
Leg of Lamb with Roasted vegetables
 
 

 
 
It is hard to find a nice restaurant, and when you do, I love to go when it is quiet, so I can charm the wife and have a romantic night out, so hurry up, because this will be one of the best restaurants in the area, and soon to be very busy.
 
I Give SOMA  5 Chef Hats out of 5  - Great Job to you all
 
 
Hours:  9:00AM to 6:00pm
Closed Tue & Weds
 
Phone: 999-195-6474
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soma.balderas?fref=ts
 
 
 
 
SOMA , will be offering Christmas Lunch, and you can see them on facbook


 
MAP
MENUS


Check out my reviews on The Yucatan Times.com
 
 

Thursday, November 20, 2014

“Harbanos Tacos Árabes” perhaps one of the most popular fast foods now in Yucatán
 
This weekend we stayed at the ocean, and decided to visit a new restaurant in Progreso called “Harbanos Tacos Arabes”, owned and operated by Chef Armin Puerto. Harbanos Tacos Arabes are located on Calle 78 (x 25 y 27) opposite to the Bancomer ATM in Progreso, Yucatan.
Harbanos Arabian Tacos (literal translation), is a franchise and this restaurant is also located in Merida, we have one right by our house, and the food there in Altabrisa is not as good as Chef Armin’s here in Progreso.

Chef Armin Puerto has worked in many restaurants, and was one of the first Mexican Chefs to open a real Mexican Restaurant in Dubai United Arab Emirates, he also has worked in London, England and Dublin, Ireland.

As you walk in you are greeted by a very friendly waiter by the name of Pablo Venture, who by the way is one of the best waiters I have met here in Yucatan, and he attends to all your needs while you are there.
Harbanos Tacos Árabes (Photo: Bob Lissandrello)
Harbanos Tacos Árabes (Photo: Bob Lissandrello)
The restaurant is not a large place, but it is indeed extremely clean and cozy, with nice and cool A/C.
Pablo Ventura
Pablo Ventura
They have a Bar with a full liquor license, with Ice cold Beer and soda’s. Since I am a BIG Guy, I found the small wooden seats were a bit uncomfortable, but my wife says she was just fine.
Harbanos Tacos Arabes, offers, delicious Tacos made with the freshest ingredients and stuffed in a homemade Pita Bread, with tender meat, guacamole, and chicharrón, (instead of the regular Tortillas that we have coming out of ears!!).
Chef Armin in Dubai
Chef Armin in Dubai
We had their Tacos Arabes,  they really over stuff them, and they are delicious, the Nachos are also over stuffed with delicious meat and cheese, and crispy pita chips, with beans and guacamole.
We tried their special Harbanos Pizza, but being an Italian from New York, and having Pizza that is not made with Mozzarella Cheese and Tomato Sauce, is kind of strange for me,.its like a BIG TACO stuffed with meat, cheese and corn, a very good value for the price, but this is just my opinion, try it, you may love it.
They also have stuffed meat rolls called “Camellos” (Camels in Spanish) and Shawarmas, with meat and cheeses, and guacamole ,we did not try any of these, but a few people next to us had ordered it, and it looks delicious.
For dessert we had a ice cold Frapuchino, and the kind that gives you a brain freeze.
Harbanos tacos arabes
Harbanos Tacos Árabes


You may be asking yourself  what is a “Taco Arabe”?
The taco árabe, or “Arab-style taco,” is perhaps one of the most popular fast foods now in Yucatan, and Progreso.

Exactly who deserves the credit remains in dispute, but observers seem to have narrowed it down to the families of two World War I-era immigrants from Iraq: Jorge Tabe, who opened the city’s first taqueria, in front of La Victoria market, and Zayas Galeana Antar, who ran a busy cantina near the Variedades theater. Both expats reportedly borrowed the idea from sandwiches that most Americans would recognize as gyros.
After some experimentation and tweaking, the “Arab-style” taco as poblanos know it was born.
“The first tacos árabes were made with mutton (it’s said that ram meat was originally used for optimal results) and the flatbread was made to order by hand (at first the rounds were too hard, like inedible asbestos tiles, but little by little they were made softer) and grilled over a charcoal flame,” writes Claudio de la Lata, a food columnist for Milenio newspapers.
Some early cooks dressed the tacos with tahini or yogurt sauce, a practice that has since given way to chipotle and other special salsas to please local palates.

Purists today argue that real tacos árabes are made by layering pork loin and onions on a spit and then slowly roasting everything to perfection in front of hot coals. Variations, no matter how delicious, are just not the same, they say. But most diners have embraced the dish in all of its forms.
So, come down to Progreso and try Harbanos Tacos Arabes, meet Chef Armin Puerto and one of the best Servers around, Pablo Venture.

I give Harbanos Tacos Arabes 3 ½ Chefs Hats out of 5
Great Job!!

Located on Calle 78 (x 25 y 27) opposite to Bancomer’s ATM in Progreso
Delivery Phone: (999) 996-9437

Hours: 6:00pm to 1:00am

Chef Armin Puerto
Chefarminpuerto@gmail.com


Buon Appetito
Chef Bob Lissandrello

If you would like me to do a honest review of your Restaurant,
Whatsapp (999) 163-4050
or send me a email: nyalbanychef4@aol.com

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

One Bowl Apple Cake

One Bowl Apple Cake - This cake is so moist and rich and just perfect for this time of year. (and easy to make!)

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 heaping teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup oil
6 medium Gala or Fuji or Honey Crisp apples
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° or 177 Celsius (°C) . In a large bowl, mix the eggs, sugar, cinnamon and oil. Peel and slice the apples and add to mixture in bowl (coating as you go to keep apples from turning brown.) Mix together the baking powder and flour and add to the ingredients in the bowl. Mix well (best with a fork) until all of the flour is absorbed by the wet ingredients. Pour mixture into a greased one 9x13 or two 9″ round pans. Bake for approximately 55 minutes.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPANOL
Un tazón de fuente de Apple Cake - Este pastel es tan húmedo y rico y perfecto para esta época del año. (y fácil de hacer!)



ingredientes:
  2 huevos
  1 3/4 tazas de azúcar
  2 cucharaditas de canela
  De aceite 1/2 taza
  6 medianas manzanas Gala o Fuji o miel Crisp
  2 tazas de harina
  2 cucharaditas de polvo para hornear

instrucciones:
  Precaliente el horno a 350 °. En un tazón grande, mezcle los huevos, el azúcar, la canela y el aceite. Pelar y cortar las manzanas y agregar a la mezcla en un tazón (recubrimiento sobre la marcha para mantener las manzanas se pongan marrones.) Mezclar el polvo de hornear y la harina y añadir a los ingredientes en el vaso. Mezclar bien (mejor con un tenedor) hasta que toda la harina es absorbida por los ingredientes húmedos. Vierta la mezcla en un molde engrasado un 9x13 o dos 9 "moldes redondos. Hornear durante unos 55 minutos.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

 
 
Last night we took a drive and luckily came across Piccolo's Pizza, we were cautious so we only purchased the small size for $70.00 mxp, and they have mini Pizza's for only $18.00 mxp


Cooking pizza in the oven is a thing of the past,and Piccolo's cook their NEAPOLITAN STYLE PIZZA, by Frying it in a Pan.

I met the owner Ernesto G. Piccolo, he assured me that they only uses real Mozzarella cheese, with the freshest ingredients, and a tomato sauce recipe handed down from his family, that is Italian. I asked for extra sauce, and it came with pepperoni and prosciutto ham, and then topped off with parmigiana cheese.

 
He wanted us to eat it at his place,while it was nice and hot, but we wanted to take it home.

They work out of a food cart that you can not miss, it is right next to Los Trompos, in Los Pinos, they have tables and chairs, and offer Pasta, Pizza and Subs.    

After we left the Piccolo's,and headed back to our house to try the Pizza, the car had the smell of a Pizzeria from New York, I could not wait to try it. 

Well, let me tell you, Piccolo's has done it, the Pizza was delicious, with REAL MOZZARELLA CHEESE, and all the ingredients, were out of this world, and fresh. the only thing that my wife and I regret was that we did not buy the Large one!!

So, I highly recommend going tonight and treating yourself to a delicious pan fried Pizza. Like we say in New York, Fahgettaboudit


Delivery Call (999) 370-7331
Hours: 6:30pm to Midnight





 
Bad Points:
They DO NOT TAKE CREDIT CARDS YET
No chairs for BIG folks
Slices are not cut even
I give Piccolo's 3 1/2 Chef hats out of 5
 
 
Delivery Call (999) 370-7331
 
Buon Appetito
Chef Bob Lissandrello
 
If you would like me to do a honest review of your Restaurant,
Whatsapp (999) 163-4050
or send me a email: nyalbanychef4@aol.com