Off Fifth "musts" For Meals?

[nattranny]

when you go there take the time to speak with them and get their story. They are great people. Susie goes at supper time and only stays to help with the rush. She may be the happiest person I have ever met! Very refreshing. We met there nephew Robert also....very entertaining young man! Tell them Lisa & Tucker (with the tattoo's said "Hi"!

[Maverick69]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Oh, okay. I was thinking something else...


I've met the people at manny's, but don't really know them. I think his wife is on this forum!

Wonderful folks. Some of the nicest people you will ever meet.

[lovesthesun]

What restaurant is HC?

[Michael]

Originally Posted by rohausser

My "discovery" on my latest visit to Playa was an old time restaurant located on Highway 307 and Calle 2 - Translates as "Deer and Quail." Has apparently been there for YEARS! We went twice, and ordered the "Plato" for 500 Pesos. Recommended for four people, but would easily feed six! It had samplings of a number of traditional Mayan dishes, and was GREAT! Very clean and appointed place, with outstanding service.

Why was this place kept a secret from me for so long???

El Faisan y el Venado as in the Pheasant and the Deer. Highway 307 and Juarez. They have two restaurants one in Felipe Carrillo Puerto and one in Playa (If I remember correctly both locations are also hotels).. The one in Playa has been open since the 80s (or earlier but I did not visit Playa until the 80s and so I don’t know whether it arrived with the Ferry Service in the 70s, but I suspect it did).

This restaurant has been mentioned on this forum a number of times, but does not appear to be a fashionable place that everyone likes to post about (like HC Carnes). I eat in El Faisan y el Venado almost every trip, as it’s the only place in town that serves a selection of Yucatecan dishes (so called Mayan food). And if I am going to Mahahual El Faisan y el Venado in FCP is the mandatory early lunch stop on the way. They don’t have the very high end restaurant quality preparation, that you will find at Los Almendros (Cancun, Merida and Ticul) the food is more like the home style cooking that my mother-in-law would make for me.

Note: People get confused about Los Almendros and a similar named restaurant in Playa. They are not even similar so don’t think you can get a menu of real Yucatecan food in Playa other than on the highway, the real Los Almendros was founded in 1962 and is probably the most famous restaurant in southern Mexico specializing in Yucatecan food. They only operate where the owning family has sons. Cancun, Merida and Ticul (which is not far from Uxmal). I’ve eaten in all three of their restaurants. The one in Cancun is now the smallest and quietest, but it is always worth the journey.

[Sol]

Originally Posted by Michael

El Faisan y el Venado as in the Pheasant and the Deer. Highway 307 and Juarez. They have two restaurants one in Felipe Carrillo Puerto and one in Playa (If I remember correctly both locations are also hotels).. The one in Playa has been open since the 80s (or earlier but I did not visit Playa until the 80s and so I don’t know whether it arrived with the Ferry Service in the 70s, but I suspect it did).

This restaurant has been mentioned on this forum a number of times, but does not appear to be a fashionable place that everyone likes to post about (like HC Carnes). I eat in El Faisan y el Venado almost every trip, as it’s the only place in town that serves a selection of Yucatecan dishes (so called Mayan food). And if I am going to Mahahual El Faisan y el Venado in FCP is the mandatory early lunch stop on the way. They don’t have the very high end restaurant quality preparation, that you will find at Los Almendros (Cancun, Merida and Ticul) the food is more like the home style cooking that my mother-in-law would make for me.

Note: People get confused about Los Almendros and a similar named restaurant in Playa. They are not even similar so don’t think you can get a menu of real Yucatecan food in Playa other than on the highway, the real Los Almendros was founded in 1962 and is probably the most famous restaurant in southern Mexico specializing in Yucatecan food. They only operate where the owning family has sons. Cancun, Merida and Ticul (which is not far from Uxmal). I’ve eaten in all three of their restaurants. The one in Cancun is now the smallest and quietest, but it is always worth the journey.

Is the Los Almendros in Mexico City part of group of restaurants that you mention?

[Doris]

I second Makkaroni's for the four cheese gnocci, and La Bamba Jarochia for the arroz tumbada! YUMO!!

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Sol

Is the Los Almendros in Mexico City part of group of restaurants that you mention?

I was looking at that also and could not be certain whether it was real or a fake.

Originally there were only three cities that had locations. The brothers did operate two in Cancun at one time, and I hear there is now a second one in Merida (the original would get busy so they could probably open a second). The second one in Cancun was an attempt to get mainstream tourists to eat there. It was a failure, I'm sure in part because they did not serve "real" Mexican food that the tourists expect. Tex Mex, nice as it can be on occasion, has for many foreigners burgerized Mexican cuisine....or should be burgered.

A few month ago I noticed (what you've seen also) a location of the same name in Mexico city. I did some Google searches and at that time I was not sure it was the real deal. But I hope it is.

Perhaps we should send Jesus over to Campos Elíseos 164 to find out. My next lay over in Mexico city is too short otherwise I'd volunteer.

[Jesus]

Perhaps we should send Jesus over to Campos Elíseos 164 to find out. My next lay over in Mexico city is too short otherwise I'd volunteer.

Sorry, you will have to wait a bit, because I'm not touching Mexico city for the next two months, I'm in Monterrey and will be in Veracruz next month.

Good luck

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Jesus

Sorry, you will have to wait a bit, because I'm not touching Mexico city for the next two months, I'm in Monterrey and will be in Veracruz next month.

Good luck

There is no rush............

I hope you are enjoying Monterrey and Veracruz will be just as special as always.

....but now you've seen this post, I'm no considering it a binding written contract with you for you to check out this location. (When you are back in D.F. and have some time you could simply call them).

...and if the place is genuine the very next time I have a long lay over and you are not buried in work at the wrong end of the city (or country) we'll have to go and sample the food. This is very best food on earth (ask any Yucatecan or self anointed Honorary Yucatecan) .

[Jesus]

Monterrey has been very "diverse" weather wise, first time I see the crazy Canadians and Russians wearing long pants and sweaters/jackets since they arrived to this country, but today the Sun was shining and we had a warm day.

About Los Almendros, they have very good fame in the city but are located in Polanco (on of the expensive areas of Smogcity).

Hope to catch you in one of your stops, then we have a dinning date set.

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by Michael

This restaurant has been mentioned on this forum a number of times, but does not appear to be a fashionable place that everyone likes to post about (like HC Carnes).

I sense a bit of backlash from you in regard to restaurants that get some attention on this board...

For me - I've eaten at F&V twice, and gotten mediocre food both times.

I don't know about the other trendy "food fashionistas" on the board, but I rave about HC because I love it, and for no other reason. Being "fashionable" or "trendy" really has nothing to do with it. I do NOT rave about F&V because I've got nothing really good to say about it.

You may have also seen me rave about La Borrega across 307. I like it because its unique and delish, but trendy and fashionable has nothing to do with it. I think you don't see a lot of "press" about it on the board perhaps for the same reason there is not a lot of "press" about F&V - its not walking distance from the tourist areas. On the other hand, HC de Monterrey *IS* walking distance from the tourist areas, *IS* a place to get delicious arracharra, and *IS* a less touristy, more "Mexican" alternative to a lot of the places on 5th. I really don't think its fair (or accurate) to say HC's popularity is about it being "fashionable." But that is just my dos pesos!

[yvrbeachguy]

Hey there,
I have just the place for you...we were there for 2 weeks, and used this place as home base for meals. Not only is the food good quality, plentiful and reasonably priced...the owners Alex and Lana are amazing people. This is probably the best kept secret in Playa, and trust me we tried lots of places....located on 30th ave and calle 26. If you ask them for Mike & Doug's table you'll be treated like family lol. Seriously can't wait to come back for the food and the environment...
Doug

Originally Posted by Scout

I've read all through the posts in Changarros y mas and have a few specific questions...

I would love to try HC de Monterrey & Casita de los Guisos BUT in all honesty we really spend most of our day at the beach and then usually have a good workout at the Gym before resting a bit and then heading out for dinner. As these two places seem to close on the early side they may not be viable options for us.

So...

it seems like a few options would be:

El Fogon
La Pesca

Are there any other really special local secrets that I'm missing here? We will be doing alot of the upscale places on Fifth (John Gray's, Ula Gula, La Palette,etc) when friends join us for 5 days in the middle of our trip, but during the portion my partner & I are alone we really want to try some fabulous local spots. By the way, he (my partner) is of Mexican heritage and fluent in Spanish so the more "local" and "authentic" the better! He also LOVES his mole, so any suggestions in that area would be appreciated as well.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[yvrbeachguy]

Okay, I'm obviously missing the food too much...I guess the name would help. Just look for Los Amigos...Av 30 por Calle 26Norte....Tel 984 803 4893 and if you want the best deal....the dinner special....after 6pm....well worth the 10 min walk from the beach.
Doug

Originally Posted by Scout

I've read all through the posts in Changarros y mas and have a few specific questions...

I would love to try HC de Monterrey & Casita de los Guisos BUT in all honesty we really spend most of our day at the beach and then usually have a good workout at the Gym before resting a bit and then heading out for dinner. As these two places seem to close on the early side they may not be viable options for us.

So...

it seems like a few options would be:

El Fogon
La Pesca

Are there any other really special local secrets that I'm missing here? We will be doing alot of the upscale places on Fifth (John Gray's, Ula Gula, La Palette,etc) when friends join us for 5 days in the middle of our trip, but during the portion my partner & I are alone we really want to try some fabulous local spots. By the way, he (my partner) is of Mexican heritage and fluent in Spanish so the more "local" and "authentic" the better! He also LOVES his mole, so any suggestions in that area would be appreciated as well.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[howard chapman]

this place is across from mega on 30th ave

what a nice meal we had jan 14th

the owner antonio could not have been nicer

i would recommend anything on the menu

[Heather]

Originally Posted by yvrbeachguy

Hey there,
I have just the place for you...we were there for 2 weeks, and used this place as home base for meals. Not only is the food good quality, plentiful and reasonably priced...the owners Alex and Lana are amazing people. This is probably the best kept secret in Playa, and trust me we tried lots of places....located on 30th ave and calle 26. If you ask them for Mike & Doug's table you'll be treated like family lol. Seriously can't wait to come back for the food and the environment...
Doug

Thanks for the review, have been meaning to get over to Los Amigos and try it...will do so soon!