A day of great weather, great friends, and great restaurants in Playa del Carmen
Although we live in Chicago, Playa is home to us. We arrived Thursday at noon and by 1:30, while it was snowing in the midwest, we were eating grilled grouper sandwiches at Coco Maya, had friends over for drinks on the balcony, then ate outdoors at one of the best Italian restaurants in Playa, Al Bar Dello Sport.
Although the name implies that it’s a sports bar, I don’t see multiple big screens, or t-shirts/jersies plastered on the walls. It’s more like walking into your Italian aunt’s kitchen. The weather is 80 during the day and 60′s at night. It is absolutely perfect!
After lunch we walked the beach. For early December there’s lots of tourists – nothing like Christmas and New Year’s, but still a very healthy number of people.
After the beach walked (10 minutes) to Mega and bought salami, smoked salmon, cheeses, and Carmenere (Chile) wine as well as fruits and pastries. Since our groceries were heavy, we cabbed it back to the condo.
We’re staying in 216 at Porto Playa and gosh the condo and property look lovely. Between the palm trees and flowering bushes the courtyard never looked better. We have the best view of the pools and gardens and I love having coffee in the morning on the balcony. The water from the upper pool flows over the side facing us into the lower pool and the sound is so soothing.
As we sit drinking our wine, the view of the pools under a full moon is Bellisimo!
Ed Vidgen and Aurel Gusat, our friends came over for wine and appetizers. We love sitting on the balcony drinking wine with these guys. Since it’s dark here by 5:30 during the winter, we enjoy the courtyard and pools lights. Just beautiful – my compliments to Jack Perlman, the developer. He knows how to light up a place like no one else does. And there’s a full moon!
Sitting on the balcony of 216 at Porto Playa under a full moon!
Al Bar Dello Sport
The four of us went to dinner at Al Bar Dello Sport. I have to laugh because to me it translates as a sports bar, and although during the day they’ll show games on the 2 medium screen TV’s they have, it just doesn’t look like a sports bar and I don’t know a sports bar that serves homemade Italian. It’s on the corner of 5th and Calle 32 (10 minute walk). They made their own Sangria and although I usually don’t like red Sangria (too sweet, and made with bad wine) this was the best I’ve ever had. Ed and Aurel were there when they were making it and told me they used very expensive and good dry red wines. You can tell, it was fabulous!
I went in the back to see the kitchen and watch them pour our Sangria. Fantastico!!
I had pescado (fish) ravioli with shrimp sauce- OMG were they outstanding, Terry had decarne (meat) ravioli, Ed had Gnocchi, Aurel had a pizza (he claims it’s the best in Playa). Pizza is thin crust, European style. A work of art. Our compliments to Pino, the owner.
Say hi to the owner, Pino, of Al Bar Della Sport
Playa is home to many artists, and there are art shows a couple of nights a week. On Thursdays it’s on 5th Ave just north of Constituyentes. I’ve bought several paintings you’ll see hanging on the walls of 216 at Porto Playa or 341 at El Taj Ocean. Walking home tonight I see lots of beautiful pieces.
You can buy beautiful artwork from one of the many artists in Playa del Carmen. Thursdays you can find them on 5th Ave.