Alegría At La Cevichería

Opened in the summer, La Cevicheria has already gained a devoted following of not only Isla Mujeres Palace guests, but also other Palace Resorts’ and Moon Palace guests who visit the island with a day pass, eager to take advantage of its sumptuous offerings from the sea. And forget the island's world-renowned natural beauty and pristine beaches for a moment; the restaurant could be placed on top of a barren rock and it would still be worth the trip.

Even at upscale, elegant and exclusive properties like Isla Mujeres Palace, guests need a casual reprieve where they can sit in a "palapa" overlooking the Caribbean, sip on a tropical cocktail, and delight in seafood of the freshest order.

The casual ambiance is partially due to its environment – La Cevichería is only steps away from the beach and sea – and partially to its design with unfinished wood tables, marble slabs for plates, and a fantastic stone ceviche counter. The dress code is as casual as it gets, as patrons are encouraged to stop by on their way to or from the beach.

While the vibe is laid back, the menu is a carefully curated collection of ceviche and seafood which fits in perfectly with the sea salt breeze wafting in from nearby waves. Best of all, the showcased dishes display a veritable culinary tour of Mexico as a whole, taking the best pages from their most popular destinations (Ensenada-style fish tacos, anyone?) and enriching them with the freshest catch one can find.

Now, the best way to get acquainted with La Cevichería's original approach to the sea’s freshest bounty is through (no surprise here) ceviche. Or better still, with a shot glass filled with the tangy, savory concoction that gives ceviche its whole identity. "They (the patrons) are curious about Leche de Tigre (Tiger’s Milk), the Peruvian citrus-based marinade that cures fish and seafood in a traditional ceviche," says Isla Mujeres Palace Manager, Mark Dahle. “When they taste it, they’re hooked.”

Once you've tried the Leche de Tigre you can move on to one of several ceviches, each showcasing a specific taste of the ocean's generous harvest: tender octopus paired with earthy cuitlacoche, or maybe the mixed seafood offering that gets its kick from the smoky chile de arbol. For our money, few dishes can match the Mexican authenticity of an aguachile: a bright, fresh preparation of tender raw shrimp marinated in red onion, cucumber, cilantro and thinly sliced serrano chillies. You can virtually pass for a local once you order this delicacy.

STILL HUNGRY?

You can't go wrong with the Guerrero-style fishadillas – yes, they're exactly what you think they are. And not only are "sautéed seafood sopesitos" fun to pronounce, they are also addictively delicious. But don't take our word for it, schedule a visit to La Cevichería and find out for yourself why visitors can't get enough of its laid-back style and captivating food. Just save some Leche de Tigre for the rest of us, won’t you?