Hechizo - Culinary Enchantment in Tulum - Page 2

**Anna** · 05-30-2008

Michele, I just now had a chance to read that review. Very well written, and what a treat to find a place like that in Tulum! I hope they make it!

Big Fish · 06-10-2008

Well, we lucked out as Stefan and Hui from Hechizo emailed to let us know they had decided to stay open for the last w/e of the season May 31 and Jun 1st - which night did we want. As we only arrived on sat 31st we naturally chose sun jun 1st for this treat. At the time, we had no idea all the wet weather was Arthur, but dammit we were not going to let a lot of rain dampen our spirits of going. No way were we going to cancel - particularly after I had hounded them about being open or not that w/e - so off we set for the 6:30 seating. Fortunately we had done a wrecky last month of Hechizo's location so knew where to go.

Armed with umbrella's to walk from the parking area along the conch shell lit path to the restaurant on the beach, we were the first to arrive. Walking past the impeccably clean kitchen that you can see into, the 4 of us were seated at our table and as soon as you step into this place you are treated with wonderful service - starting with the waiter placing the napkin on your lap. Drinks were ordered and shortly thereafter Stefan came and knelt by the table to let us know what was on offer - all VERY personal and descriptive and hard to make a choice actually! (remember there are no menus). Being it was the last night I assume I think there was a dish or 2 less to choose from than normal, but we still had about 3-4 appetizers, 4-5 entree's and 3 desserts to choose from (memory is failing here as it was 2 wks ago!). Sorry, no pictures - never seem to remember to picture food before it gets scoffed! But we had a combination of the following:

Starting off with an Amuse Bouche .... an egg cup sizefull of hot mushroom flan topped with parmesan. Basically a v light mushroom souffle - similar to the creme caramel type flan in consistency only lighter and hot! Extraordinarly delectable.

Appy's:

1) 2 of us had a salad of warm 6hr roasted beet (v sweet) with fresh goat cheese topped with watercress dressed in a light vinegraite dressing.....delicious!
2) Crab salad tower.....sliced avocado topped with a tower of fresh crab that had chopped tomatoes, herbs and citrus.....delectable!
3) Perfectly baked portabelo mushroom topped with I can't remember what on a radiccio salad bed......v tender and yummy.

Yes we were all trying each others and really couldn't decide on a winner as everything was amazing.

Main course: most were fish/seafood choices but I think there was also a steak option.

1) Perfectly cooked till 'just' al dente jumbo shrimp on a bed of spinach gratin and garlic mashed potatoes. I forget what the spice was but it all disappeared too quickly!
2) 2 of us had Sea bass balanced on a roast potato that had been slow cooked in chicken broth...forgot the veggie hiding in there and I think this was the one with perhaps grapefruit segments? fabulous anyway.
3) Mahi Mahi on a bed of crunchy asparagus - again forgot the specific spice!

All plates were decidedly empty and the perfection of cooking and presentation was incredible.

Dessert: There was a choice of 3 - noone had the almond cake, but if the other 2 were anything to go by it would have been wonderful too!

1) Warm chocolate souffle cake - with a gooey centre (like a lava cake I spose), with a passionfruit coulis and coconut (but I chose vanilla as I hate coconut!) ice cream....yummo
2) Banana and pecan cake (pecans were ground up into the batter - not in chunks) layered with a chocote ganache (thin layer) and topped with fresh banana slices that had caramelised (like the top of creme brulee) sugar on top....omg is all I can say!

Total cost for 4 people usd$200.00 plus $89.00 for booze (wine and 3 x 30 yr port) plus tip. We would rate it better than most high end restaurants back home, so when you compare to that - price is actually not bad. It is a high end establishment, and unless your kids are gourmets - perhaps would be wasted on them!

Thruout dinner, tropical storm Arthur was howling and pelting down the rain - and it just didn't matter! The lights were flickering - which really bothered Stefan as he thought it was annoying and didn't want it to bother us (which it wasn't!) and insisted on changing the bulb then when that didn't work just bought out a few candles!

This place - both the location, ambiance and cuisine produced is like nothing you have probably ever experienced.....it was fantastic and amazing really that it is where it is. The bathrooms also (located outside) were the best I have ever seen on the Riviera I reckon.....like everything else - impeccably clean. It is SO worth the drive down to experience this place and we wish Stefan and Hui good luck with keeping the place going.

Absolutely awesome and truly something different!

Michele · 06-10-2008

Excellent!! I am so glad you were able to experience Hechizo on this trip. I am counting the minutes until our next meal there!!

Did you eat anywhere else noteworthy on this trip?

Big Fish · 06-10-2008

Yup....when I get round to it here I'll briefly add to the "update list"! Just had to add to this thread tho as Hechizo was such a wonderful surprise.....not put quite as eloquently as you tho Michele! We will also definately go back....tried to take Kristin with us but too close to baby arrival! They would love it.

sannie65 · 10-12-2008

Can someone give a little more direction to exactly where this amazing place is? I will be in Akumal/Tulum in December and would love to check it out!

Big Fish · 10-13-2008

OK...Directions to Hechizo:
Head to Tulum on hway 307. If you're coming from the north (Playa way) turn left at the lights (by San Francisco grocery store and Hertz car rental on the right and & 7-11 on the left) towards the beach. At this moment in time, that would be the first (and only? set of lights when you get to Tulum....but that could change or they could even have gone!)
You're on the rd heading towards the beach - east (newly paved). You will come to a sort of 'Y' in the rd....wooden signs on the wall in front of you. Stay right (it curves that way anyway - or here is where you would turn left to go to El Paraiso beach).

You're now heading south parallel with the beach on the road that heads to the Sian ka'an biosphere, Boca Paila & Punta Allen..... You'll pass many little hotels and cabanas: Just keeping going on this narrow jungly rd for about 7-10 km or so (mostly nicely paved now - but still a few potholes and topes - no need for a 4 wheel drive tho!). Go past La Zebra and ALL the beach places/restaurants. When you see the sign for "Casa Magna", you've almost reached it...keep going until you see an undulating stone wall on your left. You'll then see a yellow sign on the left that says "Rancho San Eric".

Its basically the last establishment on this rd at the end of all the other places! Turn left into the compound (then right) - You'll pass a couple of private houses (such as casa blanca), but keep going until you come to the restaurant sign "Hechizo" on the left, and the restaurant parking on the right. At night, the path is lit up with conch shells to show you the way from the parking lot. It is very dark other than that so easy to miss the sign if you arrive for a later sitting.
**you'll know if you've passed the entrance into "rancho san eric" when you enter the arch into the sian ka'an biosphere. just back up about 200 meters and you should see the "rancho san eric" sign.

You do need to make a reservation before hand. Their email is
hechizo (at) bigfoot.com or phone no. (984) 1000-710 Seatings are 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30

Michele · 10-13-2008

Just a small note: The last time I drove down, there the Casa Magna sign was covered up with a big sheet. If you don't see it don't panic. Worst case scenario is you drive to the arch, turn around and creap back up the road looking for the Rancho San Eric sign on the right, as Big Fish suggested. You'll find it and you will NOT be disappointed!!

**Heather** · 10-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele

Just a small note: The last time I drove down, there the Casa Magna sign was covered up with a big sheet. If you don't see it don't panic. Worst case scenario is you drive to the arch, turn around and creap back up the road looking for the Rancho San Eric sign on the right, as Big Fish suggested. You'll find it and you will NOT be disappointed!!

The Casa Magna sign was visible yesterday.

Michele · 10-13-2008

Thanks Heather. It's been about a month since I was down there. I guess Melissa got her issues sorted out then??

sannie65 · 10-14-2008

Thanks all for your help!
I am very familiar with that area as I like to hang out at the beautiful beach clubs in Tulum. The last time I was there (only about a month ago, but it seems like forever), I spent a very peaceful day at OM.
This place sounds like a winner - again, thanks!

**Jesus** · 10-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Fish

OK...Directions to Hechizo:

**you'll know if you've passed the entrance into "rancho san eric" when you enter the arch into the sian ka'an biosphere. just back up about 200 meters and you should see the "rancho san eric" sign.

That is the best sign:

sannie65 · 10-16-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesus

That is the best sign

Yes, I agree! Here's what cracks me up about that road ... all the signs are obviously meant for those traveling south as the majority of them only have writing on one side (the side that faces north!).
If you have gone all the way down to Si'an Ka'an you must have meant to, right?
So if you go too far and have to head back up north, you end up passing what you are looking for again because you pass the signs and then crane your neck to read what they say.

Of course I speak from experience...got lost there once.

06-10-2008	#17 (permalink)
Big Fish life=playa Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 527	Well, we lucked out as Stefan and Hui from Hechizo emailed to let us know they had decided to stay open for the last w/e of the season May 31 and Jun 1st - which night did we want. As we only arrived on sat 31st we naturally chose sun jun 1st for this treat. At the time, we had no idea all the wet weather was Arthur, but dammit we were not going to let a lot of rain dampen our spirits of going. No way were we going to cancel - particularly after I had hounded them about being open or not that w/e - so off we set for the 6:30 seating. Fortunately we had done a wrecky last month of Hechizo's location so knew where to go. Armed with umbrella's to walk from the parking area along the conch shell lit path to the restaurant on the beach, we were the first to arrive. Walking past the impeccably clean kitchen that you can see into, the 4 of us were seated at our table and as soon as you step into this place you are treated with wonderful service - starting with the waiter placing the napkin on your lap. Drinks were ordered and shortly thereafter Stefan came and knelt by the table to let us know what was on offer - all VERY personal and descriptive and hard to make a choice actually! (remember there are no menus). Being it was the last night I assume I think there was a dish or 2 less to choose from than normal, but we still had about 3-4 appetizers, 4-5 entree's and 3 desserts to choose from (memory is failing here as it was 2 wks ago!). Sorry, no pictures - never seem to remember to picture food before it gets scoffed! But we had a combination of the following: Starting off with an Amuse Bouche .... an egg cup sizefull of hot mushroom flan topped with parmesan. Basically a v light mushroom souffle - similar to the creme caramel type flan in consistency only lighter and hot! Extraordinarly delectable. Appy's: 1) 2 of us had a salad of warm 6hr roasted beet (v sweet) with fresh goat cheese topped with watercress dressed in a light vinegraite dressing.....delicious! 2) Crab salad tower.....sliced avocado topped with a tower of fresh crab that had chopped tomatoes, herbs and citrus.....delectable! 3) Perfectly baked portabelo mushroom topped with I can't remember what on a radiccio salad bed......v tender and yummy. Yes we were all trying each others and really couldn't decide on a winner as everything was amazing. Main course: most were fish/seafood choices but I think there was also a steak option. 1) Perfectly cooked till 'just' al dente jumbo shrimp on a bed of spinach gratin and garlic mashed potatoes. I forget what the spice was but it all disappeared too quickly! 2) 2 of us had Sea bass balanced on a roast potato that had been slow cooked in chicken broth...forgot the veggie hiding in there and I think this was the one with perhaps grapefruit segments? fabulous anyway. 3) Mahi Mahi on a bed of crunchy asparagus - again forgot the specific spice! All plates were decidedly empty and the perfection of cooking and presentation was incredible. Dessert: There was a choice of 3 - noone had the almond cake, but if the other 2 were anything to go by it would have been wonderful too! 1) Warm chocolate souffle cake - with a gooey centre (like a lava cake I spose), with a passionfruit coulis and coconut (but I chose vanilla as I hate coconut!) ice cream....yummo 2) Banana and pecan cake (pecans were ground up into the batter - not in chunks) layered with a chocote ganache (thin layer) and topped with fresh banana slices that had caramelised (like the top of creme brulee) sugar on top....omg is all I can say! Total cost for 4 people usd$200.00 plus $89.00 for booze (wine and 3 x 30 yr port) plus tip. We would rate it better than most high end restaurants back home, so when you compare to that - price is actually not bad. It is a high end establishment, and unless your kids are gourmets - perhaps would be wasted on them! Thruout dinner, tropical storm Arthur was howling and pelting down the rain - and it just didn't matter! The lights were flickering - which really bothered Stefan as he thought it was annoying and didn't want it to bother us (which it wasn't!) and insisted on changing the bulb then when that didn't work just bought out a few candles! This place - both the location, ambiance and cuisine produced is like nothing you have probably ever experienced.....it was fantastic and amazing really that it is where it is. The bathrooms also (located outside) were the best I have ever seen on the Riviera I reckon.....like everything else - impeccably clean. It is SO worth the drive down to experience this place and we wish Stefan and Hui good luck with keeping the place going. Absolutely awesome and truly something different! __________________

05-30-2008	#16 (permalink)
Anna top babe admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: after 10 wonderful years in Playa, now back in Sweden Posts: 3,139	Michele, I just now had a chance to read that review. Very well written, and what a treat to find a place like that in Tulum! I hope they make it!

06-10-2008	#18 (permalink)
Michele añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen, QR, MX Posts: 2,775	Excellent!! I am so glad you were able to experience Hechizo on this trip. I am counting the minutes until our next meal there!! Did you eat anywhere else noteworthy on this trip?

06-10-2008	#19 (permalink)
Big Fish life=playa Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 527	Yup....when I get round to it here I'll briefly add to the "update list"! Just had to add to this thread tho as Hechizo was such a wonderful surprise.....not put quite as eloquently as you tho Michele! We will also definately go back....tried to take Kristin with us but too close to baby arrival! They would love it.

10-12-2008	#20 (permalink)
sannie65 way into it Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 105	Can someone give a little more direction to exactly where this amazing place is? I will be in Akumal/Tulum in December and would love to check it out!

10-13-2008	#21 (permalink)
Big Fish life=playa Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Calgary AB Posts: 527	OK...Directions to Hechizo: Head to Tulum on hway 307. If you're coming from the north (Playa way) turn left at the lights (by San Francisco grocery store and Hertz car rental on the right and & 7-11 on the left) towards the beach. At this moment in time, that would be the first (and only? set of lights when you get to Tulum....but that could change or they could even have gone!) You're on the rd heading towards the beach - east (newly paved). You will come to a sort of 'Y' in the rd....wooden signs on the wall in front of you. Stay right (it curves that way anyway - or here is where you would turn left to go to El Paraiso beach). You're now heading south parallel with the beach on the road that heads to the Sian ka'an biosphere, Boca Paila & Punta Allen..... You'll pass many little hotels and cabanas: Just keeping going on this narrow jungly rd for about 7-10 km or so (mostly nicely paved now - but still a few potholes and topes - no need for a 4 wheel drive tho!). Go past La Zebra and ALL the beach places/restaurants. When you see the sign for "Casa Magna", you've almost reached it...keep going until you see an undulating stone wall on your left. You'll then see a yellow sign on the left that says "Rancho San Eric". Its basically the last establishment on this rd at the end of all the other places! Turn left into the compound (then right) - You'll pass a couple of private houses (such as casa blanca), but keep going until you come to the restaurant sign "Hechizo" on the left, and the restaurant parking on the right. At night, the path is lit up with conch shells to show you the way from the parking lot. It is very dark other than that so easy to miss the sign if you arrive for a later sitting. **you'll know if you've passed the entrance into "rancho san eric" when you enter the arch into the sian ka'an biosphere. just back up about 200 meters and you should see the "rancho san eric" sign. You do need to make a reservation before hand. Their email is hechizo (at) bigfoot.com or phone no. (984) 1000-710 Seatings are 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30

10-13-2008	#22 (permalink)
Michele añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen, QR, MX Posts: 2,775	Just a small note: The last time I drove down, there the Casa Magna sign was covered up with a big sheet. If you don't see it don't panic. Worst case scenario is you drive to the arch, turn around and creap back up the road looking for the Rancho San Eric sign on the right, as Big Fish suggested. You'll find it and you will NOT be disappointed!!

10-13-2008	#24 (permalink)
Michele añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen, QR, MX Posts: 2,775	Thanks Heather. It's been about a month since I was down there. I guess Melissa got her issues sorted out then??

10-14-2008	#25 (permalink)
sannie65 way into it Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 105	Thanks all for your help! I am very familiar with that area as I like to hang out at the beautiful beach clubs in Tulum. The last time I was there (only about a month ago, but it seems like forever), I spent a very peaceful day at OM. This place sounds like a winner - again, thanks!

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