Good news for Playa del Carmen
La Mission in Cozumel has been serving up seriously good, authentic Yucatec fare and the freshest seafood since the '80's, and they recently opened a location in Playa, on 10th Ave. between Juarez and 2nd. Ave. Meals come with complimentary chips, pico de gallo, guacamole, and a bowl of sopa de lima. I had a chile relleno for lunch yesterday that was textbook perfect. As I was leaving they were icing down gigante camarones from Campeche and monster lobster tails from their divers in Cozumel. I highly recommend this Mexican-owned restaurant. Full disclosure: in my 23 years of enjoying the original location, I still don't know the owners, truth!
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We ate at La Mission last night. The food remains delicious, but the service on this particular night was incredibly poor. MInd you, this comes from someone who overlooks gross service deficiencies in the name of good food. I continue to feel strongly about that, but when the service passes over into rudeness, the entire experience is indeed affected.
It began with truculent inflexibility of the waiter to entertain any questions whatsoever of the menu. It took a turn for the better when said waiter procured an absolutely fantastic green habanero sauce at my request during the sopa course. We were pleasantly enjoying our entrees (more on that in a moment) when a staffer began turning off every single light in the entire establishment, including those in the courtyard alleyway behind the restaurant. As we sat there in total darkness, unable to see anything on our plates, a couple in the back corner of the place were treated to their big "show"--a flaming after-dinner drink involving sparks and lots of pouring of blue-flamed alcohol. After this carried on for several minutes, I finally asked for one luz to be turned back on so we could negotiate the rest of our plates. A meager fluorescent flickered wanly to life behind us and we ate the rest of our meal bathed in a depressing gloom resembling a bailbondsman's cash cage. The wait for the check took 20 minutes and three separate requests, and once our card was submitted, another 20 minutes passed before being informed that their credit card machine was on the fritz and that cash would be required. We scrounged up pesos and staggered out into the broken street with dim recollections of the meal we'd just enjoyed.
And enjoyed it we did. My lobster, grouper and shrimp combo was the picture of simplicity and the chef's restraint in showcasing the extremely fresh offerings was very evident. The old saw about never trusting a skinny chef was given new life as the big man in the chef's toque commanded the open kitchen with efficiency of movement and total confidence in his product. My partner enjoyed her lobster and a slightly-more-than-medium filet, and did flips over the crunchy golden bits of garlic in oil that came as one of the two sauces for the lobster. And the aforementioned rustic green sauce of blistered green habanero was a the best such rendition I've had yet in Mexico.
Would I return? I won't this trip, but after (if??) the street gets fixed, and we've cooled off from the sub-par service experience, I could envision returning for this fabulous food on our next trip.
Playa is bustling with Carnaval festivities through Tuesday and the party atmosphere is in full swing. The coming PGA event at my Mayakoba resort is adding another dimension of excitement and the weather is almost perfect. Great time to be here.
Buen provecho!
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i am definitly trying this place .........leaving friday
about my 20th trip
will be checking out the north end
restaurants opening up there every other day:)›2 Replies -
Hi Veggo,
La Mission sounds fantastic. We have been to Playa a few times before, but this trip we are staying at the Fairmont a little further from town due to older family members that will be with us. If we go into town for just one or two nights, which places do you recommend for dinner? La Mission?Preferably Mexican cuisine, with a great atmosphere and authentic food. We love La Cueva del Chango for breakfast.›2 Replies -
Just got back from PdC a couple of weeks ago. I miss it so much! We had many great meals but I wish I would have known about this place. Sounds wonderful! It will be on the list for next year. Gracias!
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re: TampaAurora
Veggo
Apr 14, 2011 02:33 PM
The original Cozumel location was 30th ave, between 2nd and 4th st. , on beautiful grounds.
Now, it is off the malecon, 2 blocks S of the ferry dock. I hope they maintain their time-proven standards in the cruise ship pedestrian radius market.
At the PDC location, I will vouch for the service staff and food quality as exceptional-
re: Veggo
Awesome! My husband and I are on a cruise in two weeks with his 16 year old sister and one of our stops is Cozumel. I've been searching for great options but know that I'm looking in areas that will be inundated with tourists...I'm from tourist hell so I wasn't expecting much.
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re: TampaAurora
Tampa,
The family also owns Casa Mission out on Avenida 55 and Benito Juarez, but I think it's only open for dinner; beautiful setting for a romantic dinner though. And I think the original place Veggo mentioned is still open under La Mission Parilla name. but I'm a bit behind on visits to Cozumel, so it could be closed or under different ownership.
Yes La Mission will have the typical touristas under it's arbor enjoying the fine food. But most likly will depend on the number of ships in that day. Another option around the plaza, if La Mission looks crowded, is Casa Denis, but it too may get crowded. Across from the south side of the plaza, up stairs is Especias, which is smaller but excellent food, especially the veggie empandas. There are a number of loncherias beyond the plaza heading away from the ocean and off the main tourist beat. Look up Las Palmas or Los Garones near the sports field. A cab ride away is Pescadera San Carlos on Ave 52 biz and Calle 3. Really a fish market with excellent fresh seafood prepared in local style.Enjoy your cruise and the food in Cozumel where ever you eat.
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