By Bartender Joaquín Simó
Tulum is divine. My wife Rhea and I usually come to the Yucatan Peninsula in August and it is boiling then. But this time we visited in February, which is idyllic beach lounging weather. Most places only accept cash and the prices are pretty much in line with NYC. Portion sizes, however, tend to be far more generous.
At Hartwood there is a strong New York City connection as the chef/owners used to be at Vinegar Hill House and the SoHo Grand. Pretty amazing modern organic food, all cooked on a massive outdoor grill and wood-fired oven. There is a huge line that starts queuing up by 5:30 for a 6pm opening. It's like Brooklyn!
Posada Margherita is an amazing dinner spot with impeccable homemade pastas. A must is the fish cooked in seawater. This might be some of the best fish I have ever had.
Chamico's is a tiny 'lil beachside shack in Soliman Bay that serves up delicious ceviche in a no-frills environment. The whole fried fish is also excellent.
El Camello is located in Tulum town, this unassuming spot mainly caters to locals. They have glorious ceviche here and delicious fish tacos.
Casa Banana serves classic Mexican food for lunch and dinner, just a couple of places away from Hartwood (in case the line proves onerous).
Gitano is right next to Hartwood, where you can have some lovely cocktails focused on mezcal.
HARTWOOD - Km 7.6, Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Tulum | www.hartwoodtulum.com
POSADA MARGHERITA - Km 4.5, Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila | T: +52.1.984.100.3780 | posadamargherita.com
CHAMICO’S - Soliman Bay Road, Tulum
EL CAMELLO - Avenida Tulum & Luna Sur, Tulum
CASA BANANA - Km. 8.5, Carretera Tulum Boca Paila, Hotel Nueva Vida de Ramiro, Tulum | T: +52.1.984.806.2871 | www.casabananatulum.com
GITANO - Km 7.5, Carretera Tulum Boca Paila, Tulum | T: +52.1.984.745.9068 | www.gitanotulum.mx
Bartender Joaquín Simó of Pouring Ribbons
You can find Joaquín behind the stick at Pouring Ribbons in New York's East Village, where he is a partner in Alchemy Consulting. Originally from Ecuador, he grew up in Miami and began his career bartending in Boston after graduating from Boston University. Moving to New York, he garnered a loyal following as part of the opening staff at cocktail bar Death & Company and was named American Bartender of the Year at 2012 Tales of the Cocktail.
Get Joaquín's eating and drinking recommendations in the Find. Eat. Drink. iPhone app.
POURING RIBBONS - 225 Avenue B, New York, NY 10009 | T: 917.656.6788 | www.pouringribbons.com
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