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

Restaurant El Principe Tutul-Xiu

I found a very enticing advertisement for a Yucatecan restaurant called Restaurant El
Principe Tutul-Xiu. I had seen the ad in Yucatan Today. The restaurant is located in the town of Oxkutzcab, and they also have restaurants in Merida and Mani. They are famous for their Poc Chuc, a pork dish cooked with orange juice.

They have all the typical Yucatecan food, with all the flavors you would
expect. Restaurant El Principe Tutul-Xiu has been in business since 1973,
when they opened their first restaurant in the town of Mani. They must be
doing something right, to have been around this long.

We decided to take a road trip today, and drove the 85 miles through wonderful
small towns to get to Oxkutzcab, and when we arrived we found plenty of
parking. The restaurant is easy to find, since it is the biggest and best
known one in Oxkutzcab.

You enter the restaurant and the first thing you see is the large, spotless
kitchen. Then, you go to the second floor to be seated.

The restaurant is large and very airy, with very nice décor. The dining room
is under a very large palapa, and
the tables are made of heavy slate. The chairs are made of fine wood, and are comfortable for large people.

It was only seconds before our waiter arrived. We ordered some home made
limeade, cold and delicious, and made with purified water. They also have
orange juice, tamarind juice, horchata,
sodas and cold beer. They bring you fresh made tortilla chips, to snack on before your meal arrives...always a nice touch.



We
ordered some Sopa de Lima for $35.00
MXP, which was very good and spicy. And then, the best part of the day, and
what we drove for an hour and a half in order to taste: our order of poc
chuc, for $70.00 MXP.



Dear God, where has this place been? It was so delicious, that I did not
want my eating experience of this poc chuc to end.The meat has all the fine flavors of the slow-roasted, charbroiled pork, served with fresh lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes that melt in your mouth, cured onions, and avocado slices.

My wife knew that I was happy, since I was not saying a word. The meal was
also accompanied with strained beans, that are creamy and have a wonderful
taste of pork in them, as well as home made corn tortillas.



The
waitstaff is very attentive and they move fast. I checked the men’s room
out. The bathrooms are large and clean, but like most toilets here in
Mexico, no darn toilet seats. What in the hell is with that, anyway?



They play nice, soft Mexican music for your enjoyment while you are eating.
The prices here are very reasonable, at $30.00 to $75.00 MXP. You will find
mostly local townspeople eating here, and having a good night out.



We then ordered some desert, the Flan
Napolitano for $15.00 MXP, and the
Ciricote for $15.00 MXP. I always have the flan when we eat out, and
I can truly say that their flan is, most likely, the best I have ever had.




They also have filete de res for
$70.00 MXP, queso relleno for $75.00
MXP,

and relleno negro or
relleno blanco for $70.00 MXP.



Hours:

11:00am – 7:00pm every day



Addresses:



MANI

Calle 26 # 208 x 25 y 27 Centro

Mani, Yucatan Mexico

Tel: 01-997-978-4086



MERIDA

Calle 123 # 216 x 46-A y 46-B

Serapio Rendon,

Merida, Yucatan Mexico

Tel: 929-7721



OXKUTZCAR

Calle 45 # 102 x 50 y 52

Centro, Oxkutzcar, Yucatan Mexico



They accept Mastercard, Visa, and Banamex.



I give Restaurant El Principe Tutul-Xiu 4 Chefs Hats out of 4.





Buon Appetito!

Boston's Gourmet Pizza and Sports Bar

Boston's Gourmet Pizza and Sports Bar

A few people have written me and asked how I liked Boston's Gourmet Pizza and Sports Bar. I tell them that I have been there only one time. I was asked if I was going to review Boston's in the near future, since most people are now Christmas shopping and Boston's is very convenient in that it is located right in the Altabrisa Shopping Mall Parking lot in Altabrisa, located in Merida. There is also a branch of the chain near Gran Plaza in Merida.
Boston's Gourmet Pizza is not new at all, well maybe to Mexico, but it has been around since 1964.It started with Gus Agiortis, a Greek immigrant who had jumped ship in Vancouver, and then opened the first Boston Pizza in Edmonton, Alberta in 1964. He worked tirelessly to make pizza a household name in Western Canada. Gus' first restaurant was known as "Boston Pizza and Spaghetti House.
"The company started franchising in 1968 and has since evolved from a "pizza joint" into a full service casual dining restaurant and sports bar. Six years after opening, Gus had 17 locations (two corporate and 15 franchised) in operation across Western Canada. Gus believed that a potential franchisee didn't need a restaurant background, but needed strong people skills, a passion for hard work and new horizons. This philosophy still stands true today.So, I decided to pay Boston's a visit tonight, and here is my review.When we first arrived, we found that there was plenty of parking, and I found a spot right in front of the restaurant.We were then greeted by a very friendly hostess by the name of Pamela, and she asked us where we would like to be seated. We picked a booth, and I was happy to see that the tables move at the booth, so if you’re a big guy or girl, you can be seated comfortably. The restaurant is very clean, and the decor isvery appealing, with six large flat screen TVs in the dining area to watch the games on.They also have a bar area, with more TVs, and a full liquor license, so you can order your favorite alcoholic beverage. At Boston's, you can see into the kitchen to watch all the cooks at work
The ceilings are high, and painted black, just like the other Boston’s are.The bathrooms are large and spotless, and modern, and in the men's room, they put today's Merida newspapers in a frame, to read while you do your business.The restaurant has plenty of nice lighting, so you can see what you are ordering and what you are eating. I asked for a menu in English, and no problem, Boston's has them. The soundtrack was even good, with very nice songs from the '70s and '80s.The prices are around $70.00MXP per person, up to $180.00MXP per personMy wife had a cold, so she just wanted soup. I ordered their signature pizza, Sausage Pomedoro. I got the small one for $125.90MXP.

The other prices for pizzas are:Individual... $94.90 MXPSmall... $125.90 MXPMedium... $179.90 MXPLarge... $229.90 MXPThe prices are kind of high, and the price for the large pizza, is much too high...higher, even, than in New York City!The Sausage Pomedoro pizza has Spicy Italian Sausage, Sliced Pepperoni, Fresh Spinach, Roasted Garlic, Banana Peppers, and Mozzarella.This is the actual photo of my Pizza Sausage Pomedoro: The pizza was delicious, and very zesty, with plenty of sausage and pepperoni.And it is nice to see that they have real Italian Sausage on their pizza, and not slices of turkey hot dogs, or, like one popular pizza place here, little miniature meatballs. I will not even give a ½ a Chefs Hat for that pizza place.I do feel that they should steam the spinach, instead of putting raw spinach on top after the pie is cooked.My wife had the soup, and she said that it too was very good, but the temperature was not very hot. They only give you a small bowl for almost $70.00MXP... very costly.
This is the actual photo of her soup:

For desert we had Apple Crisp. Again, too costly, at $69.90MXP per order. The Apple Crisp is delicious, however, and comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.We had Coke Lights to drink at $31.90MXP each, with free refills.Boston's also has:SaladsSoupsAppetizersPastasSeafoodSandwichesBurgersWingsPizza of all kindsBaked Shrimp Scampi for $119.90MXPChicken Milano for $144.90MXPCheese Ravioli with Shrimp and Rosemary Chipotle Sauce $139.90MXPTraditional Baked Lasagna $129.00MXPOur waitress' name was Anna, and she was a fantastic server. She was very informative, and attentive. The manager, Edgar Herrero Quezadas, came over to our table to see if everything was okay. I love when the owner or manager checks on his customers. Our whole bill for two came to $318.00MXP.
One of the things that we did not like, is that if you charge it with a credit card, they cannot add the tip onto your bill. You need to give the tip in cash, and if you don’t have cash, the waitress or waiter is out of luck. They need to fix this problem.
In Merida, a place where it is almost impossible to find a good pizza, Boston’s will now, be my pizza place. Boston's also has a lunch menu, and delivery!
Hours: 1:00 pm – 1:00 am
Fri – Sat 1:00 pm – 2:00am
Address:Altabrisa Mall Parking Lot
Phone: 999-930-6767
Cost per person in pesos:$70.00-$180.00
I give Boston’s Gourmet Pizza 3 Chef Hats out of 5. Buon Appetito!
I review local restaurants in and around Merida. I am a Chef from NY with a lifetime of experience, My NewYorkChef's column appears at least weekly on Yolisto...and more if I get Hungry.

German Chocolate Cake Recipe

German Chocolate Cake

4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
3 CUPS granulated sugar
3 t baking soda
½ t salt
2 CUPS butter, softened
2 CUPS sour cream
8 large eggs
8 oz sweet baking chocolate, melted
1 CUPS Milk
1 ½ t vanilla extract

Topping

1 1/2 CUPS evaporated milk
1 CUPS light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 CUPS butter
2 can (3 1/2 ounces) flaked coconut, or about 1 1/3 cups
2 cup chopped pecans

Grease and flour two 8-inch square baking pans.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, butter, sour cream, eggs, chocolate, milk, and vanilla. Beat with mixer at low speed until blended. Increase mixer to high and beat 2 minutes longer. Spoon batter into prepared pans. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for about 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove to racks to cool completely.
Make topping. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring evaporated milk, brown sugar, and butter to a full boil; remove from heat. Stir in coconut and pecans. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
When cake is cool, place one layer on cake platter; spoon half of the coconut mixture onto the layer. Top with remaining cake layer and top with remaining topping.

Recipe For Chicken Kiev

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
4 whole chicken breasts
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 tablespoons softened butter
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
4 ounces cheese (any sharp cheese) cut into strips
5 ounces melted butter


Preparation:
Pound chicken breasts until 1/4 inch thin
Mix together in a bowl bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of oregano, crushed garlic, and pepper.
In small bowl, stir together 4 tablespoons of melted butter, parsley and 1/2 teaspoon of oregano
Spread melted butter mixture across the middle of each chicken breast
Lay a strip of cheese into the mixture
Fold the edges of the chicken breast over and roll the chicken breast
Dip each chicken breast into the melted butter
Roll each chicken breast in the bread crumb mixture
Place chicken breasts in a 9 by 13 inch baking pan
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours
Bake, uncovered, in a preheated 425° oven for 20 minutes
Important Vocabulary and Measurements

1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
Bake = cook in oven
Cook Time = time needed to cook meal
Cuisine = which country or tradition the meal comes from
Cup = 250 ml
Dip = put into liquid
Grated = in tiny little flakes
Mix = usually with dry ingredients, combining ingredients
Occasion = appropriate time or meal
Pound = beat flat
Prep Time = time needed to prepare meal
Refrigerate = put into refrigerator
Spread = put onto with a knife
Stir = usually with liquid ingredients, combining ingredients
Strip = thin, long piece
Tablespoon = 15 ml
Teaspoon = 5 ml

Happy Mothers Day to Our Mom

When I was about 9 years old, I saved my allowance to buy my Mom a nice Mothers Day Gift, so on Saturday the day before Mothers Day, excited to know that I was going to buy her a nice gift for Mothers Day.


I walked up the street to our local West Sayville Pharmacy and told the owner Murry Saunders , that I was there to buy something special for my Mom.

I looked around, and looked, should I buy her some perfume?NO, should I buy her some lip stick,NO should I buy her some earrings?NO... What did I buy here, I bought her a Japanese Zero Model Airplane, yes a Model airplane, what the hell was I thinking. So,


I paid for the model, and Murry gift wrapped, but only after he tried to talk me out of this crazy idea. I could not wait to give her the gift after Church on Sunday. So, on Sunday, my mom started to open gifts, and she fist opened my brother Georges and My Sister Margaret's gift, a gift set of Chantille Perfume, she loved Chantille Perfume.

Then my Dad gave her some cash, and I was dying to have her open my gift. So, my Mom opened my gift, and to her amazment she sees the model airplane, and you could her a pin drop....... Then my Brother George says " BONE HEAD" then my Dad said " What the were you thinking Jobby " I felt so bad, and my mom said to me " Bobby, that has got to be one of the niceset Mothers Day gifts, I have ever recieved, but can you do me a big favor" and of course I said yes Mom what is it? She said, can you put this model together for me, since I am not good at building model airplanes?" That was my Loving Mom, Marie Lissandrello , and I miss her very much. I thank the good Lord, each day for the years we had with her,, and for her being the best Mom a kid could have. Happy Mothers Day Mom.







Happy Mothers Day to Our Mom, I hope that you are having a great Mother's Day in Heaven. We all miss you and Love You.