Zocalo

Page · 07-14-2005

My husband and I visited Zocalo (on Calle 8 between Av 5 & 10) last night for my birthday dinner and the owner Paul Brans, did us proud.

The place is so beautiful, designed entirely by Paul himself, and it's extremely comfortable with cushy chairs and barstools, with lots of fans much needed at this time of year.

As we sat having drinks, we were given spicy popcorn and salty mixed nuts. As a birthday present, Paul served me very good, very cold champagne, which he knows I love.

My appetizer was a spinch salad with grilled proscuitto, fresh baby asparagus and shaved parmesan - it was so good I woke up this morning wanting another for breakfast. My husband had the chicken liver parfait, served with toast points made out of Paul's own yummy bread, and pronounced it almost better than his favourite foie gras!

Our main courses were slow-roasted lamb shanks - succulent and falling off the bone, huge shanks making the N. Zealand ones look like fingers. Everything was hot and delicious, and we were served more warm homemade bread and mashed potatoes with the meat.

The piece de resistance came at the end of the meal when Paul, with all his servers, arrived singing with more champagne and an incredible slice of chocolate torte on a large plate with a birthday greeting written on it in chocolate. As I blew out the candle, my wish was to have exactly the same company and meal on my next birthday!

Wow, what a fabulous end to a great day! Zocalo is high end dining with a gracious, fun host and owner in Paul Brans.

Peeps, you owe yourself a visit to this exceptional restaurant on your next trip to Playa!

SarahB · 07-14-2005

Happy Birthday, Page! Glad you had such a wonderful evening!!

(And, thanks for making me hungry!)

**Heather** · 07-14-2005

Have to second the recommendation! On July 4, Michael and I went to dinner there to celebrate our one year anniversary in Playa. Everything was top-notch, a really special treat for us. The lamb shank was incredible, and I don't even normally like lamb.

The service really blew me away. We had only been there one other time, after they first opened, to have a glass of wine at the bar. The wonderful bartender, Fernando, greeted us with, "Hello, Heather, hello Michael. We haven't seen you for a long time." Well done, sir!

StewartG · 07-14-2005

Is Paul a tall, thin dark haired gentleman? Very delightful? If so, my wife and I ran into him and some friends one morning at Java Joes. We were talking about his new restaurant, but we were on our way out of town and didn't get a chance to go. We did walk by it however and it looked ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!! Sort of like a very comfy South Beach look?

If its the same guy, he was very sweet, and a pleasure to drink morning coffee with. I'm glad to hear the food is as good as the decor! We will definately make it in when we're there next month.

monte · 07-14-2005

Page, my mouth is watering!!!! Sounds like a perfect birthday in Paradise. I will definately have dinner there on my next visit.

Page · 07-14-2005

StewartG,

Paul is indeed tall, thin and dark haired, with dimples and a ponytail. He's got an infectious laugh, a sardonic sense of humour and he's excellent company. That was half the fun last night, because he spent a lot of time with us. He's simply a wonderful host!

And his staff, I didn't really mention them, but they were outstanding. Discreet, attentive, smiling and very sweet, just what you'd want serving staff to be!

maya · 07-14-2005

Happy Birthday Page!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow what a special evening for two special people. I just cannot wait to try out this new restaurant but will have to wait until October. I just knew Pauls establishment would be nothing short of great. Thanks for the great review!

StewartG · 07-14-2005

And by the way Page, happy freakin' birthday! :p

From your description, I couldn't imagine a nicer birthday dinner!!!

StewartG · 08-06-2005

Oh my god, this place is SOOOOOOOOO good!!! I have not had much better meals anywhere in the world! Zocolo would do very well in any capitol city in the world - New York, London, Paris... The food was delicious and the service was perfect. Paul was an excellent host. One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity to visit with him!

Being on an "ALL kids left behind" vacation, my wife and I decided to linger over dinner, and started off with drinks in the BEAUTIFUL bar area up front. Great drinks - large and well done. Great mixologist there! Here are a couple of pictures of the bar area (note the beautiful mural on the back wall):

Paul mentioned that, not only did he do all the decoration, he actually designed all the furniture himself - hats off!

Anyway, we started off with some grilled onion tartlets that were served immediately upon being seated at our dinner table. I mentioned to my wife that if they were any indication of things to come - we were in for a real treat!

For appetizers I had the seafood sausage and Kelli had the grilled pear salad with roquefort cheese. Both great choices with wonderful flavor. For main courses Kelli had the steak with grilled garlic cloves and I ordered the lamb shank. The steak was literally COVERED with grilled cloves!!! Perfectly well done, juicy and wonderful. The lamb shank, however, was the true stand out of the meal. This was, hands down, the best lamb I've ever had. The flavor was heavenly and it was so tender it almost fell off the bone. Served with truffle oil infused mashed potatoes, it was one of the best entrees I've ever had.

Of course, everything was made even more wonderful when the staff delivered the large flower arrangement that I had purchased for my wife earlier that day and had delivered to the restaurant (I just love surprising her like that!!!):

Do yourself a BIG favor and make it to Zocolo!!! You will not regret it!!!

**Heather** · 08-09-2005

Man, Stew, you're a standout guy. Pre-arranged flowers?!! I wish you had met my boyfriend, he could learn a thing or two from you.

mav68 · 08-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

Man, Stew, you're a standout guy. Pre-arranged flowers?!! I wish you had met my boyfriend, he could learn a thing or two from you.

As could my husband....

Glad you had such a great bday dinner Page- I love these reports, and then with pics added- it really makes me excited about our choice to vacation in PDC.
Dana

Page · 08-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mav68

As could my husband....

Glad you had such a great bday dinner Page- I love these reports, and then with pics added- it really makes me excited about our choice to vacation in PDC.
Dana

Thank for the good wishes Stewart and Mav (and Maya!). I'm hoping to make a return visit to Zocalo this week, so I'll have to try something different and let y'all know how some other menu items are.

Btw, Paul told me the other day he hasn't been able to view this thread yet, so he'll be thrilled with all the good words about his terrific place!

Caroline

maya · 08-09-2005

First of all I need to apologize to Paul for taking so long with this report.

I will start by saying, we had met Paul last winter and immediately knew we had met someone with alot of class and an extremely super guy. So naturally we were very excited when we learned that he was opening a restaurant in Playa. I have to tell you that is all we talked about until we returned a couple of weeks ago.

Stewart is correct when he says the decor is out of this world. Classy and elegant was what you saw when you entered. I could not believe we were in Playa.

The service was 1st class and had all the makings of Paul. I understand he personally did all the training and it definitely showed.

We basically had what had been reported prior and naturally will agree, everything was soooooooooooo good! I really did not want this meal to end. Not sure what brand of red wine I had, but it was just perfect. We could not get dessert down, that would come later. And last, we had the chance to visit some with Paul.

Several nights later, I kept talking about that dessert list. So after our stroll down 5th avenue decided to stop and have dessert. I had the chocolate torte and Jim had the ice cream with a pineapple sauce. I mean,you talk about die for delicious. And I forgot to mention the presenatation-the finest restaurants in the world would be ashamed.

Paul we will be back in October and cannot wait. Everyone out there-take one night on your trip-plan on an evening you will not forget and visit Zocalo on 8th between 5 and 10. You will be glad you did. And tell Paul we said hola.

mav68 · 08-09-2005

well after yet another awesome review I looked it up- it is part of the Playa deal card

and is also now officially on my "must do" list! Thanks to everyone who takes the time to post these types of reviews & comments (I mean detailed, not just raves :p )- sure makes planning easy!

Dana

StewartG · 08-10-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

Man, Stew, you're a standout guy. Pre-arranged flowers?!! I wish you had met my boyfriend, he could learn a thing or two from you.

The secret?

Happy Wife = Happy Life

Seriously though, I love the heck out of her, and really try to show her when I can. Believe me, I'm far from standout though. Lets not talk about those nights she comes back from having taken the kids out and the dishes are STILL in the sink, and the place is a mess, all because I've been playing on the computer... (*ahem* *cough* playa.info!!! *cough* *cough* *ahem*)

I will say, I do like taking care of Kelli as much as I can. Its easy though, when you find the right person! One of these days, ask me about a few of the sample menus I cook for her periodically (tease: one of them involves a mixed wild mushroom, shallot and port wine demi glace reduction sauce). Nothing compared to the cooking done at Zocolo, but I do the best I can!

07-14-2005	#1 (permalink)
Page life=playa Join Date: May 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen, Mexico and Tweed, Ontario Posts: 706	Zocalo My husband and I visited Zocalo (on Calle 8 between Av 5 & 10) last night for my birthday dinner and the owner Paul Brans, did us proud. The place is so beautiful, designed entirely by Paul himself, and it's extremely comfortable with cushy chairs and barstools, with lots of fans much needed at this time of year. As we sat having drinks, we were given spicy popcorn and salty mixed nuts. As a birthday present, Paul served me very good, very cold champagne, which he knows I love. My appetizer was a spinch salad with grilled proscuitto, fresh baby asparagus and shaved parmesan - it was so good I woke up this morning wanting another for breakfast. My husband had the chicken liver parfait, served with toast points made out of Paul's own yummy bread, and pronounced it almost better than his favourite foie gras! Our main courses were slow-roasted lamb shanks - succulent and falling off the bone, huge shanks making the N. Zealand ones look like fingers. Everything was hot and delicious, and we were served more warm homemade bread and mashed potatoes with the meat. The piece de resistance came at the end of the meal when Paul, with all his servers, arrived singing with more champagne and an incredible slice of chocolate torte on a large plate with a birthday greeting written on it in chocolate. As I blew out the candle, my wish was to have exactly the same company and meal on my next birthday! Wow, what a fabulous end to a great day! Zocalo is high end dining with a gracious, fun host and owner in Paul Brans. Peeps, you owe yourself a visit to this exceptional restaurant on your next trip to Playa!

07-14-2005	#4 (permalink)
StewartG commie pinko Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Kremlin (when not at my dacha in Houston) Posts: 12,315	Is Paul a tall, thin dark haired gentleman? Very delightful? If so, my wife and I ran into him and some friends one morning at Java Joes. We were talking about his new restaurant, but we were on our way out of town and didn't get a chance to go. We did walk by it however and it looked ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!! Sort of like a very comfy South Beach look? If its the same guy, he was very sweet, and a pleasure to drink morning coffee with. I'm glad to hear the food is as good as the decor! We will definately make it in when we're there next month. Last edited by StewartG : 07-15-2005 at 12:58 PM.

07-14-2005	#6 (permalink)
Page life=playa Join Date: May 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen, Mexico and Tweed, Ontario Posts: 706	StewartG, Paul is indeed tall, thin and dark haired, with dimples and a ponytail. He's got an infectious laugh, a sardonic sense of humour and he's excellent company. That was half the fun last night, because he spent a lot of time with us. He's simply a wonderful host! And his staff, I didn't really mention them, but they were outstanding. Discreet, attentive, smiling and very sweet, just what you'd want serving staff to be! Last edited by Page : 08-09-2005 at 03:00 PM.

07-14-2005	#7 (permalink)
maya beachaholic Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 462	zocalo Happy Birthday Page!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow what a special evening for two special people. I just cannot wait to try out this new restaurant but will have to wait until October. I just knew Pauls establishment would be nothing short of great. Thanks for the great review!

08-09-2005	#13 (permalink)
maya beachaholic Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 462	zocalo First of all I need to apologize to Paul for taking so long with this report. I will start by saying, we had met Paul last winter and immediately knew we had met someone with alot of class and an extremely super guy. So naturally we were very excited when we learned that he was opening a restaurant in Playa. I have to tell you that is all we talked about until we returned a couple of weeks ago. Stewart is correct when he says the decor is out of this world. Classy and elegant was what you saw when you entered. I could not believe we were in Playa. The service was 1st class and had all the makings of Paul. I understand he personally did all the training and it definitely showed. We basically had what had been reported prior and naturally will agree, everything was soooooooooooo good! I really did not want this meal to end. Not sure what brand of red wine I had, but it was just perfect. We could not get dessert down, that would come later. And last, we had the chance to visit some with Paul. Several nights later, I kept talking about that dessert list. So after our stroll down 5th avenue decided to stop and have dessert. I had the chocolate torte and Jim had the ice cream with a pineapple sauce. I mean,you talk about die for delicious. And I forgot to mention the presenatation-the finest restaurants in the world would be ashamed. Paul we will be back in October and cannot wait. Everyone out there-take one night on your trip-plan on an evening you will not forget and visit Zocalo on 8th between 5 and 10. You will be glad you did. And tell Paul we said hola.

07-14-2005	#2 (permalink)
SarahB añejo Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Playa...now Iowa Posts: 2,897	Happy Birthday, Page! Glad you had such a wonderful evening!! (And, thanks for making me hungry!)

07-14-2005	#3 (permalink)
Heather Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 8,438	Have to second the recommendation! On July 4, Michael and I went to dinner there to celebrate our one year anniversary in Playa. Everything was top-notch, a really special treat for us. The lamb shank was incredible, and I don't even normally like lamb. The service really blew me away. We had only been there one other time, after they first opened, to have a glass of wine at the bar. The wonderful bartender, Fernando, greeted us with, "Hello, Heather, hello Michael. We haven't seen you for a long time." Well done, sir!

07-14-2005	#5 (permalink)
monte añejo Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: dallas Posts: 11,871	Page, my mouth is watering!!!! Sounds like a perfect birthday in Paradise. I will definately have dinner there on my next visit.

07-14-2005	#8 (permalink)
StewartG commie pinko Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Kremlin (when not at my dacha in Houston) Posts: 12,315	And by the way Page, happy freakin' birthday! :p From your description, I couldn't imagine a nicer birthday dinner!!!

08-06-2005	#9 (permalink)
StewartG commie pinko Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Kremlin (when not at my dacha in Houston) Posts: 12,315	Oh my god, this place is SOOOOOOOOO good!!! I have not had much better meals anywhere in the world! Zocolo would do very well in any capitol city in the world - New York, London, Paris... The food was delicious and the service was perfect. Paul was an excellent host. One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity to visit with him! Being on an "ALL kids left behind" vacation, my wife and I decided to linger over dinner, and started off with drinks in the BEAUTIFUL bar area up front. Great drinks - large and well done. Great mixologist there! Here are a couple of pictures of the bar area (note the beautiful mural on the back wall): Paul mentioned that, not only did he do all the decoration, he actually designed all the furniture himself - hats off! Anyway, we started off with some grilled onion tartlets that were served immediately upon being seated at our dinner table. I mentioned to my wife that if they were any indication of things to come - we were in for a real treat! For appetizers I had the seafood sausage and Kelli had the grilled pear salad with roquefort cheese. Both great choices with wonderful flavor. For main courses Kelli had the steak with grilled garlic cloves and I ordered the lamb shank. The steak was literally COVERED with grilled cloves!!! Perfectly well done, juicy and wonderful. The lamb shank, however, was the true stand out of the meal. This was, hands down, the best lamb I've ever had. The flavor was heavenly and it was so tender it almost fell off the bone. Served with truffle oil infused mashed potatoes, it was one of the best entrees I've ever had. Of course, everything was made even more wonderful when the staff delivered the large flower arrangement that I had purchased for my wife earlier that day and had delivered to the restaurant (I just love surprising her like that!!!): Do yourself a BIG favor and make it to Zocolo!!! You will not regret it!!!

08-09-2005	#10 (permalink)
Heather Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 8,438	Man, Stew, you're a standout guy. Pre-arranged flowers?!! I wish you had met my boyfriend, he could learn a thing or two from you.

08-09-2005	#14 (permalink)
mav68 way into it Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: California (near Sacto) Posts: 224	well after yet another awesome review I looked it up- it is part of the Playa deal card and is also now officially on my "must do" list! Thanks to everyone who takes the time to post these types of reviews & comments (I mean detailed, not just raves :p )- sure makes planning easy! Dana

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