Chicken and beef plates in a Maya restaurant on our tour of Coba:
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We were told this was real Maya cuisine. However, it must be modern, not ancient Maya food, as the rice, beef, cheese garnishes, and lettuce would be old-world additions to the corn tortillas, tomatoes, and beans of the ancient Mayas. I'll say more another time about the agricultural products the Mayas gave us. The best of these I think is chocolate, food of the Maya gods. Also on the table: Coca-Cola and beer. Orignially, 100 years ago, Coke contained the new-world product cocaine. American Coke today contains corn syrup and vanilla -- both of new-world origin. I have heard that Mexican Coke is made with old-world sugar cane! And I guess the beer is old-world.
The
OK Maguey Cantina Grill in Kukulkan shopping mall has a nice selection of modern Mexican cooking. The waiter brings a tray with avocado halves, chopped vegetables, and lime, and makes guacamole at the table in an interesting mixing bowl:
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We drank a margarita at
Casa des las Margaritas in La Isla shopping mall, a huge outdoor mall beside the lagoon -- live music included all the old favorites, even the Mexican Hat Dance (once done on pointe by Anna Pavlova, we learned by googling). The food was also quite enjoyable.
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Two of the many displays of chiles at Casa des las Margaritas:
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Various dishes at the wonderful
Laguna Grill -- we ate there twice:
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Cherry tomatoes and lettuce on skewers (background: grilled tomato with mozzarella between the layers. Not pictured: the martini gyoza which is served in a martini glass along with two tempura shrimp.
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Lobster, grilled shrimp:
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Fish and potatoes mashed with olives:
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One of the delicious desserts -- turron of chocolate with ice cream topping:
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And the crocodile who visited under the lagoon-view deck where we ate:
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