Era Ora

cmsitaly · 02-25-2010

Part of my mission this time has been to try different places and compare. A big part of that is Italian. Well after a week here I am ready to make some decisions.
We ate at Era Ora last night for the second time, and I gotta say it is my new favorite. It was recommended my someone on one of the Italian threads, and when I saw Kim down here she said her friend Claudette raved about it as well. So it got bumped up on the list.
We went a few nights ago and were sat upstairs overlooking 1st. A very quaint romantic spot as we were the only ones upstairs at the time. We were served a bruschetta (gratis) that had tons of flavor and was drizzled with basil oil. We ordered the Era Ora pasta (fresh papardelle, tomato oregano, wine sauce with bits of filet minon) It was fantastic. I ordered the fresh fettuccine with sausage. It had a light white wine cream sauce that was also wonderful. It had a bit of a different herb in there we were trying to identify...we figured it was tarragon. I asked the owner and she said the Italian guy they get the sausage from won't tell them either. Both the owners are very warm and welcoming and both stopped by to see how our meal was which was nice. Service was very good until the entire upstairs filled up and there was only one server. Still didn't mind because our tummies were so happy

When we were leaving I saw a table that had a pizza and it looked very good. Too bad I was stuffed, because I would have turned right back around and got one

Well we went last night and got a pizza. I wanted to compare it to La Pummarola's thin pizza. I know taste in pizza varies and in the states I order pizza with lots of toppings, but in when I was in Rome I found the best pizza was very simple. Tomato sauce, cheese, oregano and garlic. So that's what we ordered, and it was fantastic! Took me right back to Rome. The flavor of the sauce, the ratio of sauce to cheese- for us-it was perfect. We are leaving tomorrow, but I am going back today at some point to get another one!
I don't have pictures right now, but just wanted to post this for those of you that are still here, hopefully you can make it there for dinner. They open at 2.

Real quick note:
Comparisions...We have had 4 pizzas from La Pummarola this trip and they were all very good. We have had to ask them to cook it a little more each time. But they are still very yummy and service has been awesome each time. (1st and 12th location) We just prefer the pizza at Era Ora.
Util pasta has the best lasagna! Comparing it to Antica's lasagna, but Antica wins in the ambiance category.
I will do a full trip report when I get back with pictures

JB-ubie · 02-25-2010

I posted almost the same experience on "What's your favoriet Italian Restaurant" two weeks ago. We have loved everything that we have ordered, pappardelle with a light porcini mushroom and sausage sauce, ravioli with their fresh tomato sauce, taglierini with mushrooms, penne arriabiata. Friends went and had the beef filet and the t-bone steaks and they said that they were better than some of the parrilla's that specialize in meats. But the experience is so nice because it is off 5th ave. on a quiet section of 1st ave. and the owners, Mario and Emily are so warm and charming that they make you feel like part of their family. We usually never eat dessert because we are so full from our meals, but we tasted their tiramisu and it was the best we have had. It was so light and delicious that we can't even think of going to Era Ora and not ordering it. We have eaten at many of the Italian restaurants in Playa and this one is in our opinion the best.

Could the spice in the sausage be fennel? That's what I thought it was, but what ever it is the sausage are delicious.

LEAP · 02-25-2010

I love Era Ora! Great food and nice people!

Last time we were there, everyone ordered their dinners, and the 20-something people in the group ordered a couple pizzas to go in addition to their dinners.... took it back to their rooms to save for their 2 am snack.

cmsitaly · 02-25-2010

Ok while I am waiting for it to warm up a bit before we hit the beach here are some pics

The Bruschetta

Era Ora Pasta not (too great of a pic)

Fettuccine with sausage

Pizza (half sausage-for Josh) and other half just garlic and oregano

Pasta we tried as well last night Tagliolini, shrimp and zuchinni.

Not sure I would recommend this one over the others, but it was still very good

angelhouston819 · 02-25-2010

sounds delicious Chris. can't wait to read your trip report...ah....the food!! i know we had talked about trying out some of the same restaurants so i'm anxious to hear what you have to say.

A'

Necie · 02-25-2010

Did I miss the location?

angelhouston819 · 02-25-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necie

Did I miss the location?

found their website....

Era Ora : Restaurant : Mexican : Italian : International Cuisine : Pizzeria : Bar : Playa del Carmen : Riviera Maya

A'

Necie · 02-25-2010

muchas gracias

angelhouston819 · 02-25-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necie

muchas gracias

de nada.

A'

maestranba · 02-26-2010

Thanks, Chris! I can't wait to try it in August!!! We LOVE Italian food and if Ed had his way, that's all we would eat in Playa!

roni · 02-26-2010

Thanks for posting their menu!!

Pasta is off-limits for me, but some of their meat selections sound wonderful!!

joerockhead · 02-26-2010

This place is great, went there for the first time on Tuesday night, the last night of our trip. Is it new? I didn't notice it last year.

StewartG · 02-26-2010

Hey Chris, thanks for sharing! I'm usually not a huge fan of Italian, but I'll have to add this place to "the list" for my next trip.

Thanks for the pics. You had me at the bruchetta!

Glad you made it to Util. I totally love that place. I hope you got to play with Papa Charlie for a while. I'll bet he just LOVED you!

cmsitaly · 02-26-2010

We went back last night for one more pizza before we left today, it was just as good as last time. I'm tellin' ya-tomato sauce, garlic, cheese and oregano. MMMMMM!!!

Hope you guys enjoy it

In the airport today Josh was hungry and I asked him what he wanted cause we needed something quick, and he said well, there is a Domino's around the corner, but there is no way I am eating Domino's after last night's pizza!

Michele · 02-27-2010

The food and the family at Era Ora are top notch. I eat there almost every week and I have never had a bad meal. The staff is attentive and friendly and the owners are so gratious. Two thumbs up for Era Ora!!

02-25-2010	#1 (permalink)
cmsitaly añejo Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 4,729	Era Ora Part of my mission this time has been to try different places and compare. A big part of that is Italian. Well after a week here I am ready to make some decisions. We ate at Era Ora last night for the second time, and I gotta say it is my new favorite. It was recommended my someone on one of the Italian threads, and when I saw Kim down here she said her friend Claudette raved about it as well. So it got bumped up on the list. We went a few nights ago and were sat upstairs overlooking 1st. A very quaint romantic spot as we were the only ones upstairs at the time. We were served a bruschetta (gratis) that had tons of flavor and was drizzled with basil oil. We ordered the Era Ora pasta (fresh papardelle, tomato oregano, wine sauce with bits of filet minon) It was fantastic. I ordered the fresh fettuccine with sausage. It had a light white wine cream sauce that was also wonderful. It had a bit of a different herb in there we were trying to identify...we figured it was tarragon. I asked the owner and she said the Italian guy they get the sausage from won't tell them either. Both the owners are very warm and welcoming and both stopped by to see how our meal was which was nice. Service was very good until the entire upstairs filled up and there was only one server. Still didn't mind because our tummies were so happy When we were leaving I saw a table that had a pizza and it looked very good. Too bad I was stuffed, because I would have turned right back around and got one Well we went last night and got a pizza. I wanted to compare it to La Pummarola's thin pizza. I know taste in pizza varies and in the states I order pizza with lots of toppings, but in when I was in Rome I found the best pizza was very simple. Tomato sauce, cheese, oregano and garlic. So that's what we ordered, and it was fantastic! Took me right back to Rome. The flavor of the sauce, the ratio of sauce to cheese- for us-it was perfect. We are leaving tomorrow, but I am going back today at some point to get another one! I don't have pictures right now, but just wanted to post this for those of you that are still here, hopefully you can make it there for dinner. They open at 2. Real quick note: Comparisions...We have had 4 pizzas from La Pummarola this trip and they were all very good. We have had to ask them to cook it a little more each time. But they are still very yummy and service has been awesome each time. (1st and 12th location) We just prefer the pizza at Era Ora. Util pasta has the best lasagna! Comparing it to Antica's lasagna, but Antica wins in the ambiance category. I will do a full trip report when I get back with pictures __________________ Chris 2011 Playa Trip Report HERE Cancun/Playa 2010 Trip Report HERE 2007 Playa Trip Report HERE 2006 Playa Trip Report HERE 2007 Maui Honeymoon Trip Report here Last edited by cmsitaly; 02-25-2010 at 08:11 AM..

02-25-2010	#4 (permalink)
cmsitaly añejo Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 4,729	Ok while I am waiting for it to warm up a bit before we hit the beach here are some pics The Bruschetta Era Ora Pasta not (too great of a pic) Fettuccine with sausage Pizza (half sausage-for Josh) and other half just garlic and oregano Pasta we tried as well last night Tagliolini, shrimp and zuchinni. Not sure I would recommend this one over the others, but it was still very good Last edited by cmsitaly; 03-01-2010 at 07:01 PM..

02-25-2010	#6 (permalink)
Necie beachaholic Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: in my own little world Posts: 288	Where? Did I miss the location?

02-26-2010	#14 (permalink)
cmsitaly añejo Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 4,729	We went back last night for one more pizza before we left today, it was just as good as last time. I'm tellin' ya-tomato sauce, garlic, cheese and oregano. MMMMMM!!! Hope you guys enjoy it In the airport today Josh was hungry and I asked him what he wanted cause we needed something quick, and he said well, there is a Domino's around the corner, but there is no way I am eating Domino's after last night's pizza! Last edited by cmsitaly; 02-26-2010 at 11:06 PM..

02-25-2010	#2 (permalink)
JB-ubie beachaholic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Emerald Isle, NC Posts: 426	I posted almost the same experience on "What's your favoriet Italian Restaurant" two weeks ago. We have loved everything that we have ordered, pappardelle with a light porcini mushroom and sausage sauce, ravioli with their fresh tomato sauce, taglierini with mushrooms, penne arriabiata. Friends went and had the beef filet and the t-bone steaks and they said that they were better than some of the parrilla's that specialize in meats. But the experience is so nice because it is off 5th ave. on a quiet section of 1st ave. and the owners, Mario and Emily are so warm and charming that they make you feel like part of their family. We usually never eat dessert because we are so full from our meals, but we tasted their tiramisu and it was the best we have had. It was so light and delicious that we can't even think of going to Era Ora and not ordering it. We have eaten at many of the Italian restaurants in Playa and this one is in our opinion the best. Could the spice in the sausage be fennel? That's what I thought it was, but what ever it is the sausage are delicious.

02-25-2010	#3 (permalink)
LEAP beachaholic Join Date: May 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 475	I love Era Ora! Great food and nice people! Last time we were there, everyone ordered their dinners, and the 20-something people in the group ordered a couple pizzas to go in addition to their dinners.... took it back to their rooms to save for their 2 am snack.

02-25-2010	#5 (permalink)
angelhouston819 añejo Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 9,431	sounds delicious Chris. can't wait to read your trip report...ah....the food!! i know we had talked about trying out some of the same restaurants so i'm anxious to hear what you have to say. A'

02-25-2010	#8 (permalink)
Necie beachaholic Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: in my own little world Posts: 288	muchas gracias

02-26-2010	#10 (permalink)
maestranba añejo Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 4,102	Thanks, Chris! I can't wait to try it in August!!! We LOVE Italian food and if Ed had his way, that's all we would eat in Playa!

02-26-2010	#11 (permalink)
roni añejo Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 59,659	Thanks for posting their menu!! Pasta is off-limits for me, but some of their meat selections sound wonderful!!

02-26-2010	#12 (permalink)
joerockhead toe in water Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 44	This place is great, went there for the first time on Tuesday night, the last night of our trip. Is it new? I didn't notice it last year.

02-26-2010	#13 (permalink)
StewartG commie pinko Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Kremlin (when not at my dacha in Houston) Posts: 15,520	Hey Chris, thanks for sharing! I'm usually not a huge fan of Italian, but I'll have to add this place to "the list" for my next trip. Thanks for the pics. You had me at the bruchetta! Glad you made it to Util. I totally love that place. I hope you got to play with Papa Charlie for a while. I'll bet he just LOVED you!

02-27-2010	#15 (permalink)
Michele añejo Merchant Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen, QR, MX Posts: 5,170	The food and the family at Era Ora are top notch. I eat there almost every week and I have never had a bad meal. The staff is attentive and friendly and the owners are so gratious. Two thumbs up for Era Ora!!

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