The cuisine of the Yucatán Peninsula is quite distinct in flavor and ingredients from the food of central Mexico. We are fortunate to have a very good Yucatecan restaurant just a few blocks from the apartment. However, there is another Yucatecan restaurant down Insurgentes Avenue, nine Metrobus stops to the south. "Los Almendros" is a branch of one of the oldest restaurants in the Yucatecan capital of Mérida. One day last year, I went to the Mexico City branch by myself to see how good it is, and my meal was excellent. (You can read about my visit HERE.)
Last Saturday evening, I suggested to Alejandro that we go there for dinner. Our experience was superb. The restaurant is beautiful, much more elegant than the parent restaurant in Mérida. I looks like one of the old mansions that line Montejo Boulevard in the Yucatecan capital.
I actually ordered an alcoholic beverage with my dinner. I asked the waiter if they had a favorite of mine, X'tabentún, a liqueur from the Yucatán made from honey and anise. Even in Mexico City it is not easy to find in the stores. The waiter replied, "Claro que sí." (Yes, of course.) So I had a X'tabentún on the rocks.
As is our custom, we started off with soup. Neither Alejandro nor I remember what soup he ordered, but I had cream soup made with a Yucatecan pepper. Spicy, but much milder than "habanero" peppers. Both of our soups were delicious.
For the main course, Alejandron ordered chicken "pibil". "Pibil" is a manner of cooking pork or chicken in which the meat is marinated in citrus juice and spices, then wrapped in a banana leaf and baked.
I had a taste, and the chicken was flavorful, tender and moist. I would definitely order it the next time we visit.
For my main course I had "queso relleno" (stuffed cheese). An Edam cheese is stuffed with a hash of ground pork, capers, raisins, olives, almonds, and hard boiled egg.
We finished with a dessert of flan for Alejandro and cheesecake for me.
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