I’m wrapping up a four-night visit to the Riviera Maya, the Mexico vacation hot spot just south of Cancun where indulgent all-inclusive resort hotels are always trying to outdo each other.
I’ve been staying at the lovely El Dorado Maroma beachfront resort (review to come soon), but had an especially mouthwatering, six-course gourmet lunch at its elegant larger sister property, El Dorado Royale. Here are a few photos and a quick video I made at the D’Italia restaurant, where Karisma’s chef created a special menu. Karisma, the company that likes to call its all-inclusive product as “Gourmet Inclusive,” seems to be justified in doing so.
First course at El Dorado Royale: Black truffle Marquise, olive bar, taco al pastor with pineapple, roasted caviar and liquid “Nacho.”
Second course: Shrimps and scallops aguachile “2011.”
Third course: Creamy brown bean soup, Mexican cheese, pasilla chili, avocado, tortilla, coriander. (Check out the VIDEO above to see it in action!)
Fourth course: Sea bass “a la talla” with creamy plantain and citric salad.
Fifth course: Lamb smoke with roasted chipotle.
Perfect ending: Chocolate fondant with Bailey’s ice cream.
IN THE NEWS (reports from my Orbitz Business Travel Blog)