Garden Grill

Garden Grill

Down the beach road before Zama’s, in what some people like to call “Pueblo Pequeno” is a sweet garden restaurant with glowing resin lights that hang gently from the trees over a few big, loosely designed tables and chairs. It is the Garden Grill. And while we didn’t really see any grill, we wandered in one night out of curiosity. Actually, we wanted to go to Akin but they were having a wedding, so was Esmeralda K, and so was Zulum so we opted for the Garden Grill, yet another reason to cross the street from the beach: fewer weddings. It is sheltered from both the beach and the street, nestled into that side of the road and numerous palms, sea grapes and ceiba trees. The lighting actually caught our fancy and we strolled into an empty courtyard to check it out. Once there, we were greeted by the neighbor from Trece Luna, the cozy restaurant next door (stay tuned for that review) and offered a choice of Sangria or Mojitos for drinks. That made it refreshingly easy and we ordered 3 Sangrias. We’ll save the mojitos for next time. The sangria was perfect: lightly chilled with lots of small pieces of fruit and just the right combination of wine and brandy, perhaps a little sugar in there somewhere but we couldn’t say it bothered us. The menu seems to be a combination of Mexican, local fish specialties and almost Thai but not quite. Entrées range from 80 pesos for Fried Rice to 240 for Fajitas for 2. We ordered the chicken teriaki to share. It came in a unexpectedly heaping portion loaded with chicken and vegetables in a tasty soy sauce. Rice came on the side and they brought enough for all of us. As well, they served us a starter of very good garlic bread. So perhaps you can throw Italian into that description above. Eclectic, delicious and certainly a large enough portion to share, we gave the meal 2.5 oinks. Their desert menu looked great but we just weren’t in the mood and preferred another Sangria instead. The service was slow but we are used to that. The ambiance was nice but, when we said loosely designed we didn’t realize how on the mark we were. At one point, one piggy leaned on the table and it collapsed and hurt that little piggy in the toe. No apologies from the staff as we hefted the plank off that pig foot and were warned to “take care”. We lost a sangria in the process that they did not replace or take off our “cuenta”. We were disappointed and really couldn’t even oink in pain – service was a diver. Even if, after all, it was an accident, we little piggies like a little sympathy. Nothing is more sympathetic than replacing a spilled drink for free. Over all, the Garden Grill has nice ambiance, not too helpful service, and good food even if it has an identity crisis. Oink, oink for the Garden Grill.

El Tabano

A “tabano” is a small biting insect common here on the beach in the spring and summer months. As such, it is a cute but unfit name for this lovely and charming roadside garden restaurant on the other side of the beach road. Historically, this side of the beach road has had very little to offer in terms of food and entertainment. Recently opened, this eclectic and open air restaurant challenges beach combers to see for themselves that that there is life on the jungle side of the road.

The Guineapigs stopped in for a drink but ended up staying for dinner. El Tabano is so brand spanking new that the liquor license still has not arrived so tea it was. They have a nice selection and the non alcoholic evening was actually welcomed. The chalk board menu offers a wide selection of mouth watering dishes. The Guineapigs shared a mango and jicama salad with sesame seed soy and honey dressing. 3 little piggies for that! One Guinea pig ordered fish filet in its own broth. The fish was very fresh, refreshing and clean. It was so healthy and light the Guineapigs considered adding a little more seasoning for taste. 1.5 little pigs for that entre. Another Guineapig tried Chile Relleno, Poblano chile filled with chicken and cheese. No need to describe....we just oinked three times and what one piggey couldn’t finish, the other was happy to snort.

Service? Although very slow it was very attentive and heart warming, 2 and a half pigs for that one. The generator was out that night so the entire garden, including the kitchen, was lit up with candles. Poor little chef-lady in the kitchen could hardly see what she was stirring in the pot. But all the candles made the whole place look even more like a magic garden, romantic enough for flirtatious conversations and cozy enough for a group of friends to stay a while. And the stars added that glimmer of light that makes Tulum evenings so special. All the dishes are served in unique vintage plates and silverware that reminds you of your grandma's kitchen.

Overall the Guineapigs added up 2.5 little piggies for this whimsical new hang. And don't worry there were none of those tabanos when we dined there. Although you would be wise to bring mosquito repellent there with you. Who knows when those, orange horse flies that sting like bees, might make an appearance.