Wife N. and I are staying at Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla for our 25th Anniversary, and are dining at a different restaurant each night.
Tonight, we went to Mole (MOHL-ay), for some modern Latin cuisine.
Upon being seated, we were presented with a small appetizer platter, containing squash-blossom quesadillas, ahi tartar on crackers, and flautas. I thought they were "above average", nothing super-memorable but they were good.
We ordered appetizers of Duck Chimichangas with mole sauce with radish and coriander, and another of Octopus and Sea Scallop ceviche, marinated with piloncillo in Xcatic (chili) sauce. For the main course, I had the Grilled Sea Bass in sweet chili pepper crust with mango sauce, wild rice and dried fruits. She ordered the Grilled marinated salmon el pastor with grilled pineapple puree, chili sauce and coriander foam.
The appetizers were great; crispy Duck chimichangas and the sauce had a mild spicing to it. My octopus and scallop ceviche was fantastic, citrusy and with lovely zip from the chili sauce. Both were beautifully plated.
On the main courses, her Salmon was perfectly cooked medium and the flavors were beautiful. The foam on top hinted at the influence of chef Martin Berasategui, and corroborated a thematic influence of molecular gastronomy that seems to be a common thread through most of the restaurants here in the resort. My dish, the sea bass, was absolutely perfect. Mild heat from the chili crusting married perfectly with the mango puree on the plate. The vegetables and wild rice provided a perfect textural complement and little specks of dried fruit within added just a hint of structure and sweetness. Beautiful pairing of meat and starch, savory and sweet.
For dessert, I ordered the flan and she ordered the Chocolate souffle. Both came served with unexpected fanfare: a "Mayan Tradition", overflowing bowl of dry-ice steam which was really cool, though admittedly I wondered how the Mayans managed to freeze their dry ice (great topic for discussion amongst yourselves--try the conversation with copious amounts of Mezcal back at your room for added insight). She and I resolved that it was probably "smoke" back in the good ol' days.
Flan was excellent, very firm. I think in the US we tend to equate "flan" with "custards" such as Creme Brulee but here it's an entirely different dessert that bears only casual likeness to the latter. She loved her souffle. Served cold, I equated it a bit more to a cold lava cake/brownie, but she felt it was a perfectly decent souffle. Your mileage may vary. The flavor was spot on and the accompanying ice cream was delightful.
The dinner was excellent. We had reasonably high expectations but they were completely met. Considering this is an included (i.e. no extra cost) restaurant for the resort, Mole fits the bill and is an excellent choice for those looking to add a modern twist to their Mexican meal. Must return. read more