Restaurant of the Month

Villa María

Austrian trained-in-Switzerland executive chef Johann Tiefenthaler is impressing guests with his Mediterranean cuisine at Merida’s downtown Historical Center boutique hotel restaurant Villa Maria.

Villa Maria is making a name for itself with its excellent food, attentive service (the BEST service in Merida) and tranquil ambiance. Your water glass, that has a slice of lemon or star fruit in it, will never be empty nor will your bread plate lack a chunk of crunchy baquette. And with such reasonable prices for consistently good food, the repeat crowd grows daily.

Seating areas include two air-conditioned dining rooms and a central patio with umbrellaed, candle-lit tables. Soft live piano, the backlit bar and the gentle gurgle of the center fountain give Villa Maria a sense of peacefulness and elegance. You could be dining in a hacienda, but you are in the middle of the Centro Historico.

The flaky pastry quiche tartlets with goats cheese or delicate roquefort cheese, nut and celery that are served piping hot are just two of the entrees you will see on this extensive menu. Add classic smoked salmon, pumpkin flower ravioli and mushrooms Provence as other possibilities. All are tastefully presented in perfectly-sized portions.

The five salads on the menu are prepared with the crispest, freshest lettuces and other fresh ingredients, such as peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, hearts of palm and more.

Provence Chicken Breast cooked in fine herbs and white wine and served with saffron rice and sauteed vegetables is one option for poultry. Johann Chicken Breast stuffed with delicate pumpkin flowers is another.

Duck breast a la orange or in a sherry sauce are the specialties of the house. Duck is served in several places in Merida, but no one else serves just the delicate breast with no bones, and nowhere else does it taste this good.

Beef Bourguignon and 200 grs. of beef filet cooked to your specifications (al natural, in green pepper, in four peppers or in a bernaise sauce) are accompanied by potatoes or baked tomatoes. Steak Caprice is a fine cut of beef au gratin with mozzarella cheese, sundried tomatoes, olives and capers and served with potatoes.

Fish main courses are Poached Salmon in a Caviar Sauce, grilled tuna in a soya and sesame sauce or the wonderful Coquilles Saint Jacques - shellfish au gratin in a white sauce served with salad.

Desserts include chocolate tortes and mousses, Creme Brulee and fruity tarts and sorbets.

Villa Maria is located in a colonial mansion with extra tall ceilings, tasteful furnishings and antiques, stained glass, romantic lighting and tropical vegetation. If you are looking for a reasonably-priced and peaceful dinner after a long day at the ruins, this is the place. Open 2 PM - 1 AM daily and they take major credit cards. They are located at the corner of Calle 59 and Calle 68 in the Centro. You can call them at 999-923-3357.


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