There are twelve months of the year, but only one has the highest honor of being known as the month for romance.
Yes, February’s back and with her that ever special date for lovers.
Come February 14th, the language of love will fill social media and the greeting cards of florists the world over.
And, of course, Playa del Carmen restaurants.
Yes, a romantic dinner is one of the most common ways to say I love you on that special day.
That’s why we’ve prepared this nifty lil’ guide for lovers who plan to be in Playa on February 14th.
6 Places to Celebrate Valentine’s Day Dinner in Playa del Carmen
I’ll never tire of praising the wonderful restaurants in Playa del Carmen.
There are so many great places to eat it almost doesn’t seem fair.
But few are going the extra mile to pamper you on your Valentine’s Day dinner.
These following gems are going to do precisely that with special menus for a romantic culinary evening with that very special someone.
#1 The Grill at 1 26
Many locals are unaware that one of the best (if not the best) Playa del Carmen steakhouses is located in the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort and that it’s open to the public. I recently had the privilege to sample some of the food here (wait for my review!).
But as much or even more spectacular than the cuisine is the restaurant’s stunning ambiance overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
For the Valentine’s Day menu, the Grand Hyatt will offer menus from both The Grill at 126 as well as its sister restaurant, La Cocina. The tables will be set out on the beach, and there will be live music and large discounts on champagne. In addition, the lovely ladies will receive a rose and a box of chocolates.
Here are the menus:
THE GRILL AT 1 26 Menu
Appetizer
- Tartar of prime beef with poached quail egg, crispy capers, and pickled mustard seed
or
- Grilled octopus with soy glaze, confit potatoes with lemon and tarragon
Main Course
- Persillade crusted salmon, braised fennel, orange scented Basmati rice, and dehydrated kalamata olives
or
- Seared 8 oz. prime filet, carrot puree, roasted beets, yuzu beurre blanc sauce
Dessert
- Coeur a la crème for two, tropical fruit compotes, and coconut meringue
LA COCINA MENU
Appetizer
- Crispy tuna, glazed shallots, spinach and herbs pistou
Main Course
- Grouper confit with celery root pure, pok choy, green apple chutney, and coriander seed
or
- Beef tenderloin with dry chili salt, hummus, cherry tomatoes, coriander, and horseradish
Dessert
- Chocolate and brandy cake, hazelnut cream, rosewater caviar
or
- White chocolate sphere, red fruits, red wine, dehydrated strawberries, pears and mint cream
Price: $75 USD per person (The Grill at 1 26); $50 USD per person (La Cocina)
R.S.V.P.: Grand Hyatt Facebook page
Address: 1st Avenue & 26th Street
#2 Restaurante Frida Kahlo
One of the world’s most fascinating and turbulent love of affairs of all-time took place in the capital of this great country we called home. Frida Kahlo and Diego Riviera, two incredible artists in their own right, helped shaped the identity of a nation.
Today, in Playa del Carmen, Restaurante Frida Kahlo is taking the cult of one of Mexico’s favorite daughters and translating that into a dining experience worthy of the name.
The chic ambiance, the fancy art presentations, the passionate and inspiring artist herself, and the delicious cuisine, all make this a wonderful choice for those looking to cultivate their creative side this Valentine’s Day.
Frida’s 4-Course Menu
1st Course
- Mini-crab cake, watercress salad, and mustard dressing
2nd Course
- Mixed tiradito seafood plate with seabass and scallops, passion fruit, Kahlua, and citrus.
3rd Course
- Grilled tuna steak seared and served with a reduction of hibiscus and soy sauce, sesame seeds, and caramelized onions
or
- Beef filet in a gorgonzola sauce with figs and pears.
Dessert
- Afrodisiac chocolate biscuit, caramelized rose petals, and lychee ice cream.
Includes: 1 bottle of wine (Casa Madero V, 750 ml) and 1 bottle of Evian water
Price: $800 MXN per person
R.S.V.P.: Facebook
Address: 5th Avenue & 8th Street
#3 El Pueblito Cooking School at Mayakoba
I recently wrote an article about the El Pueblito Cooking School. Led by the talented Chef Karla Enciso, the school itself is a love affair with the beauty and grace of all things culinary.
And while you can sometimes learn by doing, this Valentine’s Day you can learn and fall in love by eating. That’s because Chef Monica Lazcano is teaming up with Karla on February 14th to present a 5-course romantic dinner under the stars entitled “Mexico en el alma” (Mexico in the soul).
Born in the state of Puebla, home to some of Mexico’s most iconic dishes, Chef Monica is going to seduce with her unique and authentic Valentine’s Day menu. This one is definitely for foodies, especially those looking to experience Mexican food like never before.
El Pueblito Menu (Spanish/English)
1st Course
Squash blossom sopes (pronounced soap-ehs, similar in concept to tostadas) with chapulines (sautéed grasshoppers)
2nd Course
Sweet corn soup with herbs and chili peppers
3rd Course
Mexican caviar – escamoles (ant eggs) covered in a mezcal sauce and berries
4th Course
Maguey worms and mushrooms in an ajillo chili pepper sauce and served with guacamole
5th Course
Guayabas filled with coconut balls
Includes: welcome cocktails provided by Tequila Patron, wine by Casa Madero
Price: $75 USD per person
R.S.V.P.: 984-122-5024
Address: Cancun-Tulum Highway KM 198
#4 Alux Restaurant & Lounge
Few restaurants can claim such a romantic setting as Alux. Located within a winding underground dry cenote, a romantic dinner at Alux promises to be as memorable as it does delicious.
The menu at Alux stimulates the senses and adds a special touch of wow to a well-cooked meal of regional Mexican specialties.
Just remember to ask for permission before entering into the cenote; an alux is a sort of sprite that likes to play tricks on people. If you ask him for permission to enter a cenote, he’ll surely let you enjoy your romantic dinner.
Alux’s Menu of Love
Hors d’oeuvre
- Fine layers of tuna fish filled with goat cheese and alfalfa sprouts over a bed of arugula and baby spinach, green apple, dehydrated olives, cherry tomatoes, Portobellini mushrooms, and passion fruit vinaigrette; served with pita bread
Entrée
- Cold cream of avocado served with mix bell peppers and sweet corn, purslane, Brie cheese and fried tortillas
Main Dish: Surf & Turf
- Beef tender roll covered in red wine gravy and mushrooms; served with a shrimp medallion wrapped in bacon and served with mashed potatoes infused with garlic confit, pink bell pepper and sautéed vegetables
Dessert
- Strawberry cream served with a white chocolate fondue, fruit skewers (strawberry, figs, lychee) and a wafer (to share)
Includes: 1 bottle of artisan water, one bottle of house wine (lounge area only), one bottle of Möet champagne (V.I.P. area only)
Price: $1,600 MXN per person (lounge area); $2,150 MXN per person (private table in V.I.P. area)
R.S.V.P.: Alux Facebook page
Address: Juarez Avenue btw. 65th & 70 Ave. South
#5 El Jardin Restaurant
If I have a mea culpa to make with my content it’s this: I haven’t shown El Jardin the attention it deserves.
El Jardin has an awesome space that is warm and inviting, and the food here is consistently good. A lot of love has gone into making this place what it is today, which is why it’s fitting that El Jardin is included in an article on the most romantic places in Playa del Carmen to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Speaking of love, Paula Liebe (love in German) will be gracing the evening with some romantic chanson.
El Jardin Menu
- Shrimp Bisque
- Cucumber Mousse
- Grouper filet with a sauce of white wine, grapes, and shrimps
- Flan
Price: $295 MXN per person
R.S.V.P.: liebepaula@gmail.com
Address: 20th Street between 10th & 15th Ave.
#6 Cenacolo
Cenacolo is a chic Italian restaurant located on Playa del Carmen’s bustling 5th Avenue. This spacious eatery self-proclaims itself to be ambassadors of Italian cuisine.
And for good reason.
Handmade pasta made fresh, Italian wines, an incredible menu of regional dishes, and a great view of la Quinta Avenida make this a great option for a romantic night out any day of the week.
On Valentine’s Day, however, there’s yet another reason to give this Playa del Carmen favorite a try: heart-shaped lobster agnolotti (agnolotti are similar to ravioli). Sounds delicious!
Price: $385 MXN per person
R.S.V.P.: Cenacolo website
Address: 5th Avenue between 30th & 32nd Streets
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Featured image: The Grill at 1 26 in the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
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