While shopping in town today we stopped in at YXCHE
(www.mayacuisine.com) in downtown Playa del Carmen, just off the main
shopping street (5th Ave.) and we were glad we did. While Sam was less
excited about the food, he chose chicken fingers and fries and loved
the smoothie made from Strawberry, Orange and Mango Juice called
"Tulum" for the ruin south of here. Will tried the Chayamade which was
a lemonade made with the green chaya that we have come to love in the
veggie juices served at breakfast (jugo verde). My margarita was one
of the best and biggest so fare made with Tequila Reposado and costing
65 pesos on the menu (just over $5) which is about 75% less than at
the hotel! Indeed, halfway thru the meal, our friendly server came
over with another saying that at this lunch it was 2-4-1. WOW-$2.60
for a super drink!
The chips that came to the table were the best so far on this trip and
came with a deadly habanera salsa, a creamy garlic salsa, that Samuel
adored and a yummy pumpkin seed paste that was also quite tasty and oh
so local.
Will opted for the Ka'naab Hana, Fish stuffed Tortillas in a yummy
green salsa and I went for the Chixchulub which was described as
fettuccine pasta with chaya (that local green veggie), shrimp, squid
and scallop (bay) flambeed (not at table) with Xtabentun Mayan Liquor
in a special chef's sauce, which turned out to be very alfredo-like
and quite rich, but delicious. I would have preferred a lighter sauce
at lunch, but everything here was superb and the whole meal rang in at
about $43 with a tip.
The decor is very traditional with a ceiling murals of blue and golden
orange of Mayan figures and lots of faux Mayan engravings on the
columns that are most convincing. The place is spotless, as are the
restrooms...so give this one a try next time you are in the
neighborhood.
