Mexico Food: Cancun Dining at La Habichuela

Fine dining is alive and well in Cancun. La Habichuela (loosely translated “the bean”) is one of the oldest restaurants in continuous operation in downtown Cancun. Armando Pescotti came to Cancun Island and established the eatery 32 years ago. The addition of a second, upscale location in the hotel district opened in 2009. This new, haute cuisine setting was only a leisurely, five minute walk from our hotel.

The first thing that strikes you upon entering the restaurant is the dramatic Mayan depictions etched in stone on opposing walls…true works of art. The highly coveted tables are on the deck but we were not disappointed to have a window seat overlooking the lagoon. A complimentary serving of fish foie gras prepared our palates. The menu displayed a selection of unique options including the signature string bean soup. We began with the fried soft shell crab, avocado and corn tortilla taco for appetizer. Scrumptious.

For the entree, my choice of roast duck in pear sauce with kirsch melted in my mouth. Our waiter, Nathaniel paired my duck with a full bodied Merlot from Mexico’s own Casa Madera. My date enjoyed the sliced tenderloin enchilada smothered in mole sauce; a house favorite. The tangy sherbet offered between these two courses cleared our tongues for the next delight. Did I forget to mention the bread? It is a challenge to single out a favorite roll with warm, fresh varieties from banana bread to onion bun to choose from.

The frothy cappuccino laced with liqueur came with compliments from the house. The unexpected surprise resulted from our hotel concierge scheduling the reservation. Our only regret was not having room in our bellies to try the desert menu that featured 3 flambé, including butterscotch crepes. We vowed to return.

Pescotti’s restaurants are a family affair. His personable son and daughter, Armando Jr. and Alana pay special attention to guests at the hotel location. Armando, Jr. was only too happy to share advice on the area golf courses. It seems that when he and his father are not catering to restaurant guests, they are on the golf course or putting on the green Pescotti had installed at his home.

Dining at La Habichuela was summed up on my comment card; Elegant surroundings, Delectable food, Exemplary service.

Cost for a shared appetizer, two entrees and 4 drinks: $93. We left a $20 tip.

By Debra White Stephens

Mexico Contests: Review a Hotel in Mexico and have a chance to win!

Here at All About Mexico, we love having our readers involved and we are starting a new contest program! Here are the rules for our very first promotion – get excited!

All you have to is comment on this post with a 100 – 300 word story of an experience at your favorite hotel in Mexico. Tell us why this hotel was your favorite, how long you stayed, what activities you did and any thing else you want to share! Make sure to include a way to contact you if you win!

The winner of the best hotel story will receive a $200 gift certificate to Cabo Expeditions and be featured on this blog. Two honorable mentions will also be featured on the blog.

The contest will end on January 29^th and the winner will be announced on February 1^st! The winning entry will be judged on creativity and engaging content. It must be your own work!

We can’t wait to read your stories!

Mexico Deals: Save on Mexico Vacations with Travelocity

Travelocity is offering up to $340 in savings when you book a vacation through them. They are offering deals on hotels in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Playa Del Carmen, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico City, Mazatlan, Cozumel and other hotspots for Mexicn Vacations. Deals include hotel chains such as Hyatt Regency, Riu, and many others.

Also, you get a $75 American Express card when you book using your American Express Card with the promo code 75AMXGIFT. Extra spending money for your Mexican Vacation is never bad!

If you are working on a super budget, Travelocity also offers hotels under $100. If you are book one of the hotels on their list of hotels under $100, you are entered in to win a $2,000 American Express gift card. Travelocity's list offers many Mexican destinations such as Mazatalan, Mexico City and Guadalajara. Check it out. And with code Save10AMX you can save an additional 10% off. The offer expires March 10th, 2010.

By: Cara Gourley

Mexico News: Mexico Increases Travel Police Force

Mexico is in the process of increasing the travel police in order to grow its tourist traffic. Police agents from Tijuana, Playas de Rosarito and Ensenada completed a one day training course in San Diego.Read about it here.

What do you think about the new changes? Positive? Negative?

By: Cara Gourley

Mexico Food: "Ponche con Piquete"

"Ponche con Piquete" is the traditional drink consumed during the Christmas time in Mexico. Its name means "Punch that stings."

In order to make this traditional Mexican beverage, you will need apples, pears, oranges, guava, grapes, tejocotes, tangerines, prunes, raisins, cinnamon and sugar cane.

Boil a large pot of water and add the fruit, which should be cut into medium sized chunks. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes. Peel the sugar cane and cinnamon and add it to the mix. Let the mixture boil for a few minutes and then move it back down to a simmer for another 40 minutes. Make sure to stir the mixture every once an a while. Once the fruit is soft and the punch is a brownish color, the Ponche con Piquete is ready.

A lot of people add a shot of brandy or rum to their Ponche con Piquete!

By: Cara Gourley

Mexico History: Los Posadas in Mexico

No room in the inn? Well, at least not during the first few times the children ask during the journey the nine nights before December 25th. Los Posadas, where participants reenact Mary and Joseph's search for a place to stay, is a yearly Christmas tradition in Mexico.

Los Posadas lasts from December 16th to the 24th and on each night during the celebration, neighborhood families choose a house which will host the Posada, which means inn or shelters in Spanish. The homes are decorated with a nativity scene and the home owners act as the innkeepers. The neighborhood children carry candles and sing simple choir songs while symbolically looking for an inn to stay in. Two of the children lead, carrying Los Peregrinos, which are small statues representing Mary and Joseph with the donkey. Musicians and the neighborhood follow the children.

The children ask three times if there is room in the inn and they are told there is not. Finally, the doors open and the "innkeepers" welcome the group into the house. Everyone prays by the nativity scene and then the fun begins.

For the children, there is a Piñata, filled with goodies such as oranges, sugar cane, and peanuts. They take turns singing chants while trying to break the Piñata. For the adults there is food, music, and games. Ponche con Piquete, a traditional hot drink made out of seasonal fruits and cinnamon, is served, sometimes with a shot of an alcoholic spirit.

The last Posada, on December 24th, is followed by a midnight mass.

The length of the event is nine days, symbolizing the nine months Mary carried the baby Jesus in her womb.

For more about Mexico, visit All About Mexico!

By: Cara Gourley

Mexico History: Night of the Radishes in Oaxaca

Oaxaca's celebrates the "Night of the Radishes" or La Noche de Rábanos, an unique art showing in which extremely large radishes are carved into elaborate sculptures, on December 23rd each year.

How the festival started is still unknown, but Night of the Radishes is believed to stem from when the Spanish Conquers introduced the native people to vegetables such as the radish. Radishes were then sold at the Christmas Eve markets and competing vendors began to create radish figures in order to distinguish themselves. Over time, locals were not looking to complement their Christmas dinner, but instead to use the radish designs to decorate for the holiday. The Night of the Radishes is said to have been first held in 1897, under the leadership of the mayor at the time, Francisco Flores Vasconcelos.

People from all over the valley bring their largest radishes, grown for months in preparation, that have been carved into nativity scenes, saints, buildings and any other imaginable design to the Zócalo (the main square in Oaxaca). Thousands of people go to the Zócalo to look at the wooden tables filled with scenes that have been constructed with care.

The sculptures in Noche de Rábano are not simply radishes, but art pieces created in pain staking detail. Prizes are awarded to the best and most creative designs. The awarding takes place at 9pm, but lines to walk the ramps around the tables of radish figures start up to 5 hours before.

The event is a celebration. Street vendors and restaurants sell delicious buñuelos, which are similar to a fried pancake. Children play in the street and even compete in their own radish carving contest.

The next days are marked by Christmas parades, which precede a grand fiesta and the traditional Christmas dinner. On this night many people flock to the zócalo to watch the parades, a fireworks display and to get a close up look at the extravagant floats.

For more information about Oaxaca's history, visit All About Oaxaca.

Have you ever been to Night of the Radishes? If so, please tell us about it!

By: Cara Gourley