Second Chance

Life, despite all its misgivings, it all about second chances. We embraced this principle as we headed back to Amber, bearing in mind that the first time had been less than stellar.  

Bite-sized Appetizer

Dinner proceeded in the same format - bite-sized appetizer, first course, second course and dessert. Of course, we all know that dessert is the course that is the most important in meal - everything else is secondary.

We started the dinner with a shrimp brochette garnished with mint extracts, which was a mini-explosion of flavors in your mouth. After the awful lunch we'd had earlier on the Chichen Itza tour, it was a treat to our tastebuds.

Next came the bread. I stuck with a basic sesame bread and regular butter, and saved it for my main dish, the pot-au-feu.

I ordered another mocktail, this one called Rose Bay, a blend of tropical fruits and well, more fruits. It was a tad on the sweet side, but still pretty delicious.

Octopus Carpaccio

After experiencing the octopus carpaccio last time, Hubby decided to order it again. I didn't have any this time because I was waiting for my main dish.

Mixed Greens

I got the mixed greens, which was wonderfully presented. The best part was once again the figs on the side.

Pot-au-feu with Palm Heart

For my main, I got the pot-au-feu, a heaping pile of veggies with a heart of palm filled with "fake marrow". The presentation was exquisite - colorful veggies surrounding a statue-like limestone heart of palm. Here's an aerial view:

Pot-au-Feu with Heart of Palm "Fake" Marrow

And that's the unfortunate thing about life and a lot of things - what's on the outside doesn't say much about the inside. The inside of this thing, my dear friends, was a heavy sour cream that filled your palate with nothing but, well, sourness.

So while I managed to finish off the vegetables, which btw were pretty plain and lacked flavor (I almost asked for a bottle of ketchup to go with), I really didn't get to finish the heart of palm. I even gave some away to Hubby, who refused to touch it.

Beef Flank

Turns out he was having trouble finishing his own dish, the beef flank steak with chimichurri, beet puree, grilled eggplant and carrot. Unfortunately his beef flank tanked like his last dish - it was way too tough, as were the vegetables. It was like eating cardboard, chips and all.

So with only the dessert left to salvage the meal, we held our breaths. I ordered the cassis custard while hubby got the pistachio mousse with vanilla sauce.



The pistachio mousse was the right degree of creaminess, but it was too heavy on the pistachio. The result was an interesting mix of heavy (and heavily flavored) cream that made it hard to swallow.

Pistachio Mousse with Vanilla Cream

The only edible thing was the wavy chocolate strip. Here's another look at the culprit in question:

Next and finally came my cassis custard with coconut daquoise, with a side of cranberry compote and mango sorbet.

Cassis Custard with Coconut Daquoise

I didn't even know where to go with this dish, because though the presentation looked like it was deserving of Michelin stars, it was pretty much the apotheosis of creamy disgustingness (if that's even a word, oh apparently it is!)

 

The problem was that the cassis was heavily infused with the liquid flavor, making it kind of mushy, with a texture similar to con leche cake, while the coconut was basically food coloring + jello. The best part was probably the sorbet, but that melted too quickly for me to enjoy.

At the end of the day, I walked away with the understanding that while you can't have everything go your way, you can at least have a cup of joe to wash away your sorrows.

A Breezy Lunch

I wish I knew the Mayan word for good morning, because if every morning and afternoon and evening looked like this, I wouldn't be able to wait to get up every day and say good morning to everyone. Or perhaps the chirping (rather annoying) birds will get to you first, which is what it did to me on our second day in Mexico. 

I ended up waking up extremely early at 7, which shocked even me because I normally can't wake up that early. So we had an early breakfast, hung out a bit, and then went straight to lunch.

Sirloin Sushi with Chipotle Chile Cream Cheese

I ordered the top sirloin sushi roll with chipotle chile cream cheese and grilled pineapple (whew that's a mouthful). Thankfully, the taste was not as complex as it sounds. It was like a creamy, crunchy mishmash of beef and cheese. You can't really taste the pineapple though, which was my own complaint about this dish.

Salad of the Day

Hubby ordered the salad of the day, which looked like a bunch of leaves with cherry tomatoes and feta cheese. Unfortunately I'm not a huge fan of salads, because it just looks and tastes like a bunch of leaves to me.

Seafood Soup

I was greedy and ordered a side of soup - the Mexican seafood soup with fresh oysters, shrimp, squid and scallops. They actually served the soup in a separate bowl, then when it's like to eat pour it over the seafood.

Lamb Chops

For the main course I splurged on the mint herb marinated lamb chops with grilled veggies and mashed potatoes. It was absolutely divine. I normally have my lamb well-done, but for a well-done lamb steak it was tender with full flavor infused in.

Duck Confit Tacos

Hubby on the other hand ordered duck confit tacos, which were good but the duck was pretty rough and hard to bite. Here's another look at my delicious meal:

And its aftermath:

I should remind you that this is just lunch. I was just being greedy and splurging on everything that I could possibly eat, hoping to work it off in the gym later on.



Raspberry Mousse cake

For dessert, we got the special-of-the-day raspberry mousse, and the lemon pie done our way. I didn't like the texture of the mousse very much, as it was just too fluffy for me.

Lemon Pie Our Way

The lemon pie on the other hand hit the sweet spot - it was tangy with lemony goodness and sweet at the same time, which went really well with a cup of expresso to finish the meal.

And what a wonderful way to take in the meal than a view of the ocean, with the gentle breeze gently caressing your face.

Breakfast in Paradise

I want you to take a moment and close your eyes...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

....what do you see?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are happy (and tranquil) enough to see this, then call yourself lucky...



 

Well, I definitely considered myself lucky, because that's what I found myself waking up to every morning, along with a cup of...

...really creamy cappuccino, the ultimate way to start your day in this tropical paradise. The milk here is much more creamier than the water-flavor ones we have back home and carries a flagrant aroma similar to European milk.

We began our day at Aquamarina, one of the resort's three a-la-carte restaurant that's open for breakfast. The breakfast menu is as extensive as the dinner we had yesterday, if not even more so.

Our meal started with a pastry selection. On our first day in paradise I chose the ribbon pastry sprinkled with sugar. By yesterday's dinner I had already decided not to count the calories lest my heart stop from the shock of knowing how much I ate.

Thankfully, there are detox juices to prevent your heart from actually working. I got the Exotic Greens with spinach, cactus and a bunch of other goodies while hubby got the Tulum featuring fruits of the tropics like pineapple and guava. Both tasted really good, but the Exotic Greens had just the right balance of sweet and savory.

Mayan Eggs

For breakfast, I got the Mayan Eggs just because it sounded exotic. But I was pretty disappointed to find out it was actually just scrambled eggs with Chaya (kind of like Mexican spinach), plus a side of beans and avocado. I had to ask for a bottle of ketchup to down the flavorless eggs.

Mexican Crepe

 

Hubby got the Mexican crepe, stuffed with pumpkin flower and huitlacoche with pablano chips, which tasted a lot better than mine. It was at once creamy and tangy inside, with the flowers adding a touch of sweetness to the otherwise cheesy filling.

 

After our hearty breakfast, we decided to walk it off. Somewhere down the mile walk back to our room, we met this little guy.

Apparently there are also crocodiles in the area too, since the resort is built around a real cenote. We  walked a bit faster after seeing this sign.

When we got back, we found a little Muslin rag doll at the door handle. I had to take a picture of it because it was just so darn cute - the uniform is exactly the ones that the staff wears at the resort. I almost thought it was a joke but realized later that it's actually housekeeping telling you that they are inside.

 

So. Cute.



Welcome to Paradise

When we think of the word paradise, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?

Does it look something like this?

Or how about this?

If it does my friend, then you’d be mighty jealous of my vacation this year. 

We all know that material things cannot fulfill our desires for spiritual enlightenment, but since we’re stuck on this sad planet for the duration for a lifetime, we might as well enjoy a sliver of paradise on earth.

So this year for vacay, hubby and I went to the Riviera-Maya, home of the ancient Mayans. I’ve always been intrigued by their existence as a civilization. Their astronomical discoveries were almost unprecedented at the time, not to mention their admirable statues and creations.

The home of the Mayans is now home to a plethora of resorts scattered along the beach.

The people here are friendly and always eager to help you (though not without compensation albeit). Upon arrival at Cancun International Airport, we quickly found the taxi company that we ordered online (you can do this beforehand) to take us to our resort.

I marvelled at the size of the gates of some of the resorts. Some were grandiose, while others were modern chic. I wondered what our resort would hold in sight. 

When we arrived though, I had to do a double-take, because it either looked like a secret getaway or a super shabby hotel. Thankfully, it was the former. 

The Blue Diamond is an uber secluded resort nestled in the heart of beach lane. We were greeted with sweet nectar and a one-bite treat upon check-in. This was when I knew that we were going to go back 5 pounds heavier.

During the cart ride to our suite, our driver explained to us all the amenities at this all-adult, all-exclusive resort - basically everything you could possibly want is available at the touch of a button, and they encourage you to ring them whenever you are in need. 

What awaited us was something I’d never imagine in a million years (okay not true, just didn’t expect it to be like that). A bottle of champaign was already waiting for us (too bad we don’t drink) to take in with the breathtaking view of the natural cenote (Spanish for a sinking well) that marked the authenticity of this hotel as a Mayan getaway. 

Our rooms were not only spacious, they had ceiling-to-floor windows in the main living space and the bathroom. Plus they had a scale in the bathroom, which is perfect for tracking your weight during the soon-to-come binge eating.

The resort had 3 restaurant - Ceviche which were open for breakfast and lunch, Aquamarine which was open for all three meals, and Amber that was open for dinner only. None of the restaurants are buffets, much to my liking, as those of you who know me I have a thing against buffets. 

We decided to grab a late-lunch at Ceviche, which consisted of small-plate tapas. I ordered a cheese fingers which never materialized, but what I got instead - the BBQ chicken - was even better. We were amazed that even the small-sized tapas were a. not small that small and b. artfully decorated.

After an info session at the concierge where we we signed up for some activities at the resort, we learned that the night was a Grill Night at Ceviche (since Amber was closed for a private reception that night).

There was a wide selection of breads that accompanied our meal. Hubby was albeit a bit embarrassed when I took a picture of the bread offerings before deciding on the garlic knot that resembled a cinnamon raison pastry.

Garlic knot bread

Hubby ordered the beef flank steak well-done, which I got the sea scallops and shrimp brochette. He got a side of vegetable brochette and the black pepper demigrace, while I got the sweet corn and the roquefort sauce.

As we watched the crimson skies, our bread plate came. It was an assortment of artisan breads. Hubby got a cheese bun while I got a garlic one that resembled a cinnamon bun. 

For starters, I got the potato salad with bacon and honey mustard dressing, while hubby got the arugula and apple salad with grapefruit vinaigrette and seeds (he actually ordered another salad but this was just as good).

Arugula and Apple Salad 

The potato were done just how I like it - not to soft with just the right enough chew to get the full flavor of the honey mustard. Hubby’s salad was pretty good, with the seeds complementing the soft (hopefully not canned) mandarin oranges and grapefruit. 

But the main course was the most unforgettable part. My shrimp and scallop skewers were done just right - with the tenderness of the scallops and the chewiness of the shrimp, complemented with roasted onions and peppers. The corn was pretty sweet and juicy as advertised. My only complaint was that the portion was pretty small for even me, let along people who can actually eat. Also the roquefort sauce didn’t contribute to anything because it was salty and the seafood already had enough flavor.

Shrimp and Scallop Skewer

Hubby’s beef flank - well, what I can say? It was out of this world. The meat was marinated to the ninth degree, with the juiced oozing out with intense flavor. This was perhaps the most tender well-done flank I’ve ever had. Compliments to the chef for getting it right in one shot.

Beef Flank

For desert, I got the fruit tart while hubby got the apple pie, which was as creative in design as it was in taste.


Apple Pie

My tart was a bit mechanical, with the usual setup of tropical fruits on a pre-assembled tart, drizzled with butter sauce. Hubby’s apple pie was a bit more creative with a handmade granola base and vanilla ice cream on the side.

Fruit tart

It was a shame that we couldn’t have any tequila or margueritas (we don’t drink…dry as corn), or else the evening would have been even sweeter.

The view of the pier and the falling sun was a perfect way to mark the end of our first day in paradise.