Our final meal in Mexico was at the elegant Casa del Lago in the main
building of Rosewood Mayakoba with our friends and clients (Frank &
Angela) who I had booked there at the same time. We originally had
intended to treat them (they are very good clients), but the pool
fiascos of the day ended up with us all getting a completely free
dinner!).
We were led in and told our party had already arrived and the hostess
tried to seat us with some strangers! Now that was a first! After lots
of conversation about the day we chose a superb CASA GRANDE CASA
MADERSO Chardonnay from Parra in the state of Coahuila which was so
good, we took a second bottle (well, we weren't paying!). Our red was
a magnificent GABRIEL (named by the owner-a retired US banker- for his
deceased son) from ADOBE GUADALUPE in Valle de Guadalupe, Baja
California. This 2007 wine was indeed the best Mexican red ever, now
giving us two yummy ones we will look for in the future.
The amuse was a goat cheese (mousse) with sundried tomato vinaigrette
which was okay, but no show winner for sure. I loved my MAINE LOBSTER
CARPACCIO with Tomato Bread Sherbet, Olive Oil, Lemon, Watercress &
Olives. It was light after a hot long day and so refreshing. The
SHRIMP were sauteed and served with RICOTTA GNOCCHI in Parmesan Cream
and Madeira Wine reduction. Tasty--but very rich and heavy. Yes, it
might have been late winter/early spring, but the high 80 degree temps
make this food hard to take.
RISOTTO with PORCINI MUSHROOMS and Idiazabal Cheese Fritters, Wild
Mushrooms and Fresh Herbs Essence was also a heavy duty dish. The main
courses were also quite large and rich: SUCKLING PIG (leg & ribs)with
Apple Ravioli had a yummy Onion Compote and Jus with Peanuts. RED
SNAPPER came with Sea Urchin Vermicelli and Light Garlic Cream, but
the recommended SOLE in PAUPIETTE with Soft Pancetta and Low
Temperature Cooked Egg with Morel Sauce (recommended by the server)
was a dud...bland as could be.
Sauteed DUCK BREAST came with Portobello Carpaccio, Roasted Apples and
Mesquite Smoke and worked well...
We enjoyed a bottle of SANTA JULIO TARDIO dessert wine which was nice,
but the desserts were iffy:
CHOCOLATE CAKE with Caramel Cream over Intense Hazelnut Praline with
Macaroon Pistachio Ice Cream was the best, the APPLE CRUMB CINNAMON
Roll Ice Cream was decent and my "TORRIJA" with Rhubarb and Strawberry
Compote and Key Lime Pie Chilled Cream was more like creamy meringue
with very little fruit in evidence.
It was okay-but I am sure glad we didn't have to pay!
