Category: Food & Dining

Meals in Melaque – Restaurants Rated (Part 1)

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Food & DiningLeave a comment

The view from the Moon Restaurant

Cathryn and I have been slacking this year when it comes to rating restaurants in Melaque, Jalisco, Mexico. I can tell from my website that some of you have read past reviews that are dated, and as we all know time changes all things. Some of our favorites have closed up or moved locations. We’ve only managed the following eateries so far this season but there will be more to come. Ratings come from our personal experience, along with friends who may have accompanied us for breakfast, lunch or dinner. These are our personal opinions and the list is in no particular order. Street names are left out since you can’t find them anyway.

Tacos Pedro **** Located on Taco Row, they offer the usual Mexican fare, served on an open patio. Service was great and our group of six enjoyed an assortment of tacos and quesadillas. I had pork with pineapple that was shaved off a Gyro-type spit. All of us were happy with our meals and some ordered seconds.

El Patio ***** You can find this gem across from the Citibanamex or Las Hamacas. Open for breakfast and lunch, we’ve never been there after ten in the morning. I like sitting on the more airy sidewalk tables out front but they have a beautiful courtyard with more seating inside. The food and service is great, with hot meals coming out quicker than most other establishments. The omelettes are huge, juices are fresh-squeezed, and you can get a stack of pancakes that looks more like a birthday cake, with all the goodies on top.

Moon ***** Located on top of the Casa Leon Hotel at the west end of Melaque, a few doors down from Tito’s, the new restaurant has only been open a few months. The only elevator in town whisks you up to the sixth floor, on top of the hotel, where you’ll get the best view in Melaque. Four of us dined on ribs and smashed potatoes, 3 cheese pasta, grilled octopus, guacamole with arrachara, and shrimp skewers. The food was the best in town with service that is unparalleled anywhere in this area. Moon is no beach restaurant.

Jack’s Place ***1/2 – Nestled on the boulevard separating San Patricio and Villa Obregon, Jack’s has been hit and miss for us. We’ve visited on and off for several years and have mostly been satisfied, thus the start rating between 3 and 4. We’ve had great appies like the guac and queso fundido but daily special meals that have fell short. They have a large menu, with certain specials cooked on the BBQ right out front. I’m sure we’ll be back, but there are others to try first.

Vanilla Pimienta **** Just a stone’s throw north, down the road from Jack’s, this restaurant has been around in various forms for years. It’s current location offers open-air inside second floor seating. Our last visit was with a group of eight, and for the most part the food and service was great. The kitchen staff struggled however, overcooking my wife’s steak twice, and completely forgetting my meal. The leftover steak and ribs handed over to me from friends was excellent. The desserts are awesome.

Pata’s ***** Always one of our favorites, we’ve never had a bad drink or meal at Pata’s. They’re almost oceanside, at the end of the main street, just past the Oxxo. A Denver burrito that is second to none, one of the best burgers in town, and loaded nachos round off a small but awesome menu. Cathryn swears by their cilantro margarita. They offer seating inside and out but don’t show up with a party of twelve because the place is small. Norma and Deb rescue all sorts of cats and dogs so don’t be surprised if something furry brushes your leg.

El Dorado *** In the Hotel El Dorado, overlooking the beach, this eatery offers a great view. But lately our dining experiences have resulted in their loss of a star. We’ve had one great and two crappy breakfasts there in the last month, and the dinners haven’t been up to par, considering we’ve gone there for years, rarely getting a bad meal. Maybe it depends on who’d cooking, their consistency comes and goes like the pelicans.

Las Hamacas *** Another establishment overlooking the beach and part of a hotel, Las Hamacas has been offering daily entertainment in the restaurant. They used to serve breakfast but now only offer food between the hours of noon and 6pm. Cathryn and I haven’t sampled much of their menu but friends who stayed there were satisfied. The local fare was good and fresh but our bacon wrapped shrimp came with shells and tails still intact – a bit of a challenge with the surrounding hot bacon.

Tito’s *** Located at the far west end of the beach, lots of gringos swear by Tito’s and gobble up the food. My wife and I can’t say that we ever loved any of it, perhaps with the exception of their nachos and guacamole. The burgers are usually good. Our biggest complaint with this eatery is the disgusting condition of the restrooms, where the floors are usually covered with sand and water and who knows what else. Keep in mind it is a beach restaurant. They have nightly entertainment and some beach sports.

Papa Gallos’s *** Down a hallway, across from the Bus Depot, Papa Gallo’s is struggling to regain its identity. Having been a stand alone dinner restaurant for years, it recently inherited Roosters and is now serving breakfast as well as dinner. The staff is new and inexperienced and even the owners have expressed concern over the ability to keep the place running smoothly. The food is normally very good and the ocean view is awesome. The furniture is well-worn, some falling apart.

Pechecane ***** Located a short football toss from the dolphin statue on the main drag, this pizza place has become our favorite, Coming from a great Italian style pizza place back home, we’ve been mostly disappointed with the pies in Melaque. But if you don’t mind wood-fired, stone-oven thin crust pizza, Pechecan will win you11111111111 over. It’s in a spacious courtyard with an assortment of seating, covered or not. Pies are personal sized, offered with yummy dipping sauces, should you feel the need to spice things up or soak your crust.

Ava’s ** I see plenty of gringos eating breakfast and dinner at Ava’s but I’ve yet to have a good meal there. You can find it behind the Intercam bank, on the next corner. I was told the Eggs Benny was awesome, only to question my sources. Who uses squares of whole wheat bread and paper-thin sliced ham to make Benny. The hollandaise sauce was great but I could have drowned in it if I climbed into my plate. Another previous visit for simple bacon and eggs was similarly disappointing.

El Quetzal De Laura ***** Along the road to the market, just west of La Taza Negra, this restaurant is our favorite breakfast place. We’ve sent friends there who totally agree. The omelettes are big and tasty, served with home fries and salad, and a fresh-baked bun. There are assorted fillings, with cream cheese to add a silky-smooth texture. I’ve also tried their crepes that are just as delicious. Our friends love going there for dinner. Seating is cozy, inside and out, with good service.

Jugo’s Triny *** I have tried this place three times now and give it the same amount of stars. It’s across from the southwest corner of the town square, across from city hall. My first visit was the best…the cubano omelette and fresh juice were great but my server was more interested in her phone than me. Same with the cashier. I was served a cubano sandwich instead of the omelette my second visit and only received a shrug when I complained. My third attempt left me disappointed again…the omelette was okay but the continual grinding of the juice maker ruined my peaceful morning.

Manolo’s *** The taco restaurant in on the boulevard in West Melaque, across from the earthquake hotel. A fenced in courtyard offers outdoor seating in a cozy atmosphere. We went with a group of 8 and tried, tacos, quesadillas, fish soup, and a filet of dorado. Half our group was happy with their meals and the other was not. Service is as was expected for a mom and pop operation. Prices are in line with other taco restaurants.

Note: Most prices are half what we pay at home, in Canada, with the exception of Moon, which is upscale and pricier, but still cheaper than home.

Where’s Our Workforce?

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Food & DiningLeave a comment

Do you remember those days, a few years ago, when you could go to just about any restaurant and receive good food and sometimes great service? You do remember-it was before something called Covid came along and changed our lives forever.

I remember it well, sitting in restaurants or bars with friends, joking about a virus invented in China but named after a beer in Mexico. How we made fun of it, but nervously whispered about cancelled travel plans and government overreaction.

Then people started dying and those of us abroad had to go home, for fear of being stranded forever with no way to escape the chaos. And so we all went home, hunkered down, quarantined and avoided human contact with anyone outside our personal bubble.

Fast forward three years, to a time where Covid is scoffed at because we have vaccinations and boosters and masks, and have learned to socially distance ourselves. Some of us got tired of ordering food and groceries in and have ventured out into the apocalyptic world to see what’s left of it.

We were happy that some of our favorite restaurants weathered the storm but sad that others couldn’t survive and had to lock their doors. It was so nice to breathe and talk to people without a face mask muffling your voice and causing more pimples than you had as a teenager.

Restaurants re-opened and welcomed us back, but only on certain days of the week. They had difficulty getting their staff back or hiring new people to replace them. The newbies had to be trained, thus taxing our patience after waiting three years.

Cathryn and I formed a new habit, checking web sites of our favorite restaurants before we ventured out. More than once we drove to dinner only to find the doors locked. I hate searching for food when I’m hangry. And when we finally took refuge in one of our favorite breakfast or dinner spots, the service was terrible.

Every restaurant has good and bad days so we shrugged it off at first. But we travelled to Europe last summer and found the same problem, restaurants with limited hours and staff shortages. We spoke to owners who shared their frustrations, many with ‘help wanted’ signs posted in their windows.

So my question is, where the hell did the workforce go? They didn’t all retire and couldn’t have left the country because everyone’s having the same problem everywhere. One theory I’ve heard is that nobody can afford to work for such low wages anymore. If that’s the case then how are they surviving? Government subsidies ran out long ago.

We’re now in Mexico, finding the same problem. And it’s not that people don’t need the work. Restaurants are stocked with young and inexperienced employees who are more interested in their electronic devices than another hungry human being. Is it just me or does the new generation seem inept and disinterested in working for a living?

Hopefully everything works out and I can enjoy a meal without having to text the server to get their attention. Time will only tell.

The Pepper Cat Restaurant

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Food & Dining1 Comment

We finally made it to the Pepper Cat Restaurant in Amherstburg and it was well worth the long trek from Windsor. Formerly the Beacon Ale House, you have to try this new restaurant. It’s advertised as upscale dining but the prices were not ridiculous.

Our visit was in the late afternoon for kind of a late lunch or early dinner so we decided to sample their appetizer menu. We leaned heavy on seafood with the mussels, done in a white wine and garlic sauce – with lots of juice that was great to soak up with their focaccia bread – perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

We ordered everything at once for a real smorgasbord – escargot that came with perfectly melted and gooey cheese on top. And their crab cakes, a decent size and lightly breaded. A special treat was the grilled octopus, something that is normally difficult to cook, but it was done perfectly – tender inside and char-grilled on the outside.

The spread filled up three of us and was all washed down with local craft beers that they have on tap. We had a gift card that halved our bill but found their appie prices were in line with other restaurants, and the portions were sizeable. The size of the octopus leg had us wondering how big the monster was before we ate it.

We had a friend in from Cambodia who loves seafood, and he was delighted by the food and liquid sampling. The chairs were super comfortable and the service was great. The chef even visited our table at our request. Cathryn and I highly recommend the Pepper Cat and rate it a 10 out of 10.

La Sirena Gordita – Tapas Bar on Coco Beach

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Food & Dining2 Comments

Where can you find one of the most amazing views in Mexico , specialty cocktails, friendly service, and amazing food at great prices? Get out your maps because this place is off the grid, kind of on the border between the states of Jalisco and Colima, on Coco Beach (Pacific Ocean), on the Isla de Navidad. Confused yet? Just drive east from Melaque or Barra de Navidad, towards Manzanillo and exit on the road to the Grand Bay Resort and Golf Course. Easy peasy.

La Sirena Gordita, or the Chubby Mermaid to us Gringos, has become a favorite spot for Cathryn and I to visit, while we’re in Melaque. Granted, it took us two attempts to find the place, but it was well worth our time and fun exploring the surrounding countryside. The unique tapas bar is actually part of the Villa Star of the Sea Spa Boutique Suites, but caters to wayward tourists looking for a cool drink and good grub.

The menu includes free sea breezes, and is Mexican-North American fusion, including unique salads, a meat & cheese tray, burgers and seafood. Drinks include ice cold beer, wine, and delicious cocktails – the pina colada was the best I’ve ever had. So far, Cathryn and I have sampled the Chile Relleno, Cheeseburger, Caesar Salad with Shrimp (amazing), and the Portobello Quesadilla, none of which disappointed us.

Portions are healthy and prices are a steal by Canadian standards. Servers are friendly and the owners are from Canada’s west coast. They cater to locals and Gringos alike, but ask for a heads up phone call or reservation if you have a group or want a guaranteed table. There are shady seats near the bar or beach chairs and umbrellas if you want to get a bit closer to the ocean, all offering an amazing unobstructed view.

Cathryn and I have been the the Chubby Mermaid twice now and will do our best to go back again before heading home. It gets a 9 our of 10 from us.

Pomegranate Restaurant

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Food & DiningLeave a comment

It’s been too many years since I’ve visited the Pomegranate Restaurant in Windsor, and after eating there tonight, I’m disappointed I didn’t return sooner. The ‘Pomo’, as we used to call it, is still a family-run business serving excellent Chinese food to long time loyal customers. Take out business was brisk while Cathryn and I were there, with many obviously picking up dinner to bring home.

Back in the day, when I worked for a living, we took our lunch hours and completed reports in the back corner of the dining room. And on occasion, I’d loose money while playing cards with the staff after hours – all in fun, of course, since everyone is family there. It was nice to see some familiar faces and hear that Chef Henry was still in the kitchen, serving great food.

As with most Chinese restaurants, the menu is huge, but the wait staff is more than happy to help with your selection and very responsive to fine tuning your order. The wonton soup was hearty and served piping hot. The pork spring rolls were crispy, with a filling that reminded me of the inside of a tortiere. We had two each but wanted more.

Our two main dishes consisted of house special egg foo young and stir-fried veggies with all the goodies you can think of. And to top it off, besides the traditional fortune cookies, they gave us extra almond cookies. I forgot how addictive they are. The service was fast and friendly and prices are reasonable. Cathryn and I both give the Pomegranate a 9 out of 10, since nobody is perfect 🙂

Chapter Two Brewing Company

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Food & Dining1 Comment

Craft beer and brew pubs are all the rage these days, and if you haven’t been to Chapter Two Brewing Company in Windsor, you don’t know what you’re missing. They always have at least six craft beers on tap, that include a lager, cream ale, amber, and a seasonal that are served fresh and cold.

Their kitchen has grown and it’s menu has evolved since I’ve been visiting the local watering hole on Edna Street at Walker Road, just south of Wyandotte, in Walkerville. They now serve apps and wraps, with burgers, pulled pork, poutine, calamari, and some of the best chicken wings in town.

The burgers are great. Currently, they offer 2 for 1 wings on Wednesdays – the biggest jumbo wings you’ll find in Windsor – and I’ve tried them everywhere. They’re plump and juicy and crispy, with lots of sauces or rubs to choose from. I have difficulty finishing the 2 pounds so if you’re not a big eater, consider sharing the special.

Chapter Two has both indoor and patio seating available and you can purchase their beer to go.

Breakfast at Jim’s Sub Shop – Kingsville

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Food & Dining1 Comment

Cathryn thought it was too nice a day to be inside and suggested we needed to go for a ride somewhere. I took that as a reason to go out for breakfast, but we didn’t discuss where we wanted to eat until we got in the car. After a great recommendation from my brother, we decided a drive to Kingsville was in order so we could try Jim’s Sub Shop.

Don’t be fooled by the name. Jim makes submarine sandwiches, just like the kind we used to feast on after a night out drinking, and not like those fake Subway things. But I digress…let me get back to breakfast, Jim’s specialty Eggs Benny’s and the thick and juicy peameal bacon he likes to brag about.

Having realized I left my Covid vaccination papers, government issued ID, and my phone with the backup vax info, next of kin, and favorite cat photos in the car, Cathryn saved me the pain of hobbling on my gimp knee and volunteered to retrieve all the documents necessary to cross the Berlin Wall.

A man behind the counter, who was wearing an apron and later identified as Jim, kindly accepted me as his prisoner and agreed to hold me in Covid jail until my wife returned with my paperwork. Our documents were presented and I was released from custody. The décor was nothing fancy, but clean and comfortable. They also have patio seating outback.

We were lucky enough to have the restaurant owner, Jim, come to our table for our order, and to share his sense of humor. A patient man, he stood by as Cathryn’s customized an order of his Eggs Benedict Florentine. I was torn between the cheeseburger and hookee omelet, something Jim created using seasoned shaved beef. I chose the cheeseburger and he said it came with all the fixins.

Jim wasn’t kidding about the mustard, ketchup and pickles that made my omelet look more like a pizza. I’m not into the yellow condiment, but the eggs and other cheeseburger goodies were piping hot and delicious. It came with real home fries, done on the grill. Cathryn got the Eggs Benny Florentine, with peameal thick as a steak, extra large eggs and homemade hollandaise sauce sprinkled with real bacon bits. Hers looked like it belonged on the cover of a food magazine.

To our delight, both our meals were served hot off the grill, and stayed that way until we finished them. Service was quick, friendly and efficient. Prices for breakfast were in the $7 to $15 range, depending on what you order. And besides subs, they do burgers and sell specialty Greek foods like humus and fattoush.

Jim’s is located on Kingsville’s main strip, between Vern’s and The Grove. Cathryn and I were both filled up by our meals and are happy to recommend Jim’s for breakfast. I give them a 9 and she a 10 out of 10.

West Street Willy’s Eatery – Goderich

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Food & DiningLeave a comment

Eating dinner and finding a good restaurant while travelling can be a challenge, but thankfully the internet and sites with reviews like Trip Advisor, take away some of the guesswork. If you’re old school, like Cathryn and I, you talk to real people who live in the area and ask them for recommendations or advice.

This type of interpersonal communication paid off for us while dining at the Part II Bistro in Downtown Goderich. We asked our waiter, who was local, to recommend something in the area that was a good place for breakfast. He suggested West Street Willy’s, that was only a hop, skip and a jump away, just off the town square. We’d read great dinner reviews for the restaurant but it was closed that night.

Taking the advice we’d received, we stopped for breakfast at Willy’s before heading further north. The patio out front looked inviting but the weather was a tad cool that morning, and it was that time of season for those pesky bees.

The interior décor was nothing fancy, kind of a cross between small town diner and a cozy dining room in a country home. The breakfast menu was daunting – two pages full of creative dishes – everything from peanut butter, bananas and bacon on French Toast, to Eggs Benny and something called Pete’s Big Mess. The latter caught my eye first, but I opted for the Morning After Poutine. My mess contained crispy home fries, bacon, sausage, peameal, onions, tomatoes, cheese curds, chipotle and hollandaise, topped with two eggs the way you like them.

More concerned about her cholesterol, Cathryn ordered the West Street Benny – grilled, marinated portabella mushrooms and spinach, topped with the usual Benny goodies. Hers was $13 and mine was $15, both large portions and filling. Service was excellent and our waitress was friendlier than your local Avon lady. My only complaint is that we couldn’t stay for dinner.

If your not satisfied with our recommendation of this restaurant, perhaps you’ll take the advice from the TV show, You’ve Gotta Eat Here, who featured Willy’s about three years ago.

Cathryn and I both loved West Street Willy’s Eatery and give it a 10 out of 10.

Part II Bistro – Goderich

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Food & DiningLeave a comment

On our recent Tobermory trip, for a change of scenery, Cathryn and I decided to take the back roads up north – getting off the highway when we could, and following Lake Huron’s eastern shoreline. Knowing the six hour ride would take us longer, we booked a room in Goderich to make it a two-day trip. On the first day we stopped in Grand Bend to stretch our legs and see what is new. The beach resort town was bustling, with plenty of new places to get your favorite junk food, and a complete makeover of the old Colonial Hotel is in progress.

Cathryn barely remembered being to Goderich years ago, so we drove down to the waterfront and along the public beach. The old CPR Train Station has been meticulously restored and relocated there and converted into a restaurant. New since my last visit is a wooden boardwalk with exercise stations, running the full 1.5 km length of the beach.

For dinner we sought out the Part II Bistro, on the main square – more like an octagon loop that surrounds the court house, with a half dozen streets as spokes, radiating from the center. It was Tuesday, and to our disappointment many restaurants in town were closed for the night. Part II Bistro was open and had rave reviews so that’s where we went. They have a beautiful patio out front that offers a great view of the town square, but the weather and seasonal bees had us reserve a table inside.

I can best describe the décor as eclectic, with tables partitioned for privacy and Covid reasons. They had a nice selection of local craft beers and a descent wine list. We sampled both. A picture of our appetizer wouldn’t do it justice – look up Gnudi on their menu – ricotta, parmesan and garlic formed into soft pillows, with a semolina flower crust set on a slowly simmered IPA, basil tomato reduction. Yes, it was a savory and delicious as it sounds.

Cathryn saw a lamb shank on the menu so there was no decision for her. I was torn between the Sacchietti Pasta and the Greek chicken, but was in need of a good carb fix and chose the latter. Stuffed egg pasta filled with mushrooms and black truffles, tossed with sundried tomatoes, artichokes, woodland mushrooms, spinach, onions and garlic. Finished with cream and herbed infused olive oil and topped with parmesan cheese. OMG! Need I say more? The little pasta pouches made for the best I’ve ever had.

The Lamb Shank was braised perfectly in Moroccan influences of cumin, cinnamon and cardamom, set on Israeli couscous with ratatouille vegetables, topped with it’s own braising reduction. Cathryn barely had to coax the meat off the bone, which I secretly think she wanted to suck on.

Dessert was mostly for me, she only wanted a bite. I selected the peanut butter chocolate cheesecake, of course. The picture tells the story, and it tasted even better than it looks.

Service was just a tad slow, but like everywhere else these days the restaurant is having difficulty in finding wait staff. They did a great job with what they had and Cathryn and I eagerly give Part II Bistro a 10 out of 10.

Harbour House Waterfront Eatery

On By Author Edmond GagnonIn Food & DiningLeave a comment

My personal chef, Cathryn, wasn’t sure what to serve for dinner last night so I suggested we try the new Harbour House Waterfront Eatery (old Lilly Kazilly’s) on Riverside Drive at the City Marina. It was Tuesday and I messaged the restaurant to ask if I needed reservations. The response (on Facebook) said it was a good idea so I requested a covered table on the patio, in the shade. I was told it wouldn’t be a problem.

We experience a bit of confusion at the hostess desk while the couple in front of us tried to select a table where they wouldn’t be attacked by bees. Then they had to wait for their friend who forgot his mask. When our turn came the young lady asked where we’d like to sit and I repeated my earlier request for the patio in the shade. We were led to a tiny little table outside the covered deck, with an umbrella that only shaded half. Cathryn had to continually adjust her chair to avoid having the sun in her face. I didn’t bother to ask for another seat since the patio area was packed and business was brisk.

Service was a bit slow but we waited patiently, understanding that the patio is huge and they were really busy. We ordered a couple of draft beers while we looked over the menus. I found it odd how 4 or 5 dishes were listed as coming soon – something our inexperienced waitress wasn’t aware of when she accepted an order from the table beside us. She later returned with the bad news for the man, and delivered our slightly chilled beers. Cathryn complained and our server said she’d check with the bar.

Our waitress returned with the same beers -now even warmer. I had taken a couple sips of mine, she offered a story about how the kegs froze and they had to warm them us before they could cool them again. I kept my beer and Cathryn considered a glass of wine, until she saw the $14 price tag for a 9oz glass. They didn’t have the seltzer she asked for and settled for another. We used the glass of ice that came with it to chill our water.

We decided to share some appies, sample the menu, and started with Oysters Rockefeller and Mussels in a garlic wine sauce. The mussels were okay but I found all the garlic in one clump inside one of the shells and most of the onions in another, as if they were tossed in as an afterthought. (Not the one’s pictured on left) The oysters were dry and tasteless, probably the worst we’ve ever had. We asked for a bowl of Lobster Bisque but were told they were out and just starting to make more.

For a seafood restaurant right on the lake, I was a bit surprised they didn’t offer Pickerel. We ordered the Seared Ahi Tuna, which came with a side salad. The vinaigrette dressing was too bitter for me but the tuna was delicious. A huge serving that was cut in two pieces, was perfectly seared and encrusted in toasted poppy seeds, with fresh avocado and roasted tomatoes. It was a bit pricey at $32 but a large enough serving for us to share and be satisfied. The tuna was the highlight and best part of our experience.

And right in the middle of tuna heaven an AC/DC song started blaring over the sound system. It took a few minutes before the corrected the problem, so much for dinner music. Our bill came to $109, a bit steep I thought for 2 appetizers, 2 drinks and 1 entrée (she didn’t charge me for my diet coke because of the warm beer). So there you have it…the majority of reviews for this place have been favorable; perhaps we just hit an off night. There is much room for improvement in our opinion. We both rated it a 6 out of 10.