Hot Dish Review

Located on the gorgeous Capella Pedregal resort, Don Manuel’s is the centrally located restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. B and I tried all three meals during our stay.

With a candlit view of the infinity pool and ocean beyond it, the tranquil atmosphere set the stage for a relaxing dinner. Again, we enjoyed perfect weather as we chose a table in the bar area, listening to a duo playing acoustic guitar. I tried the spiced sangria while B ordered a glass of red wine. The fruit in the sangria was nice but the cinnamon and cloves were excessive.

Moving to a table on the patio, B and I split the Pacific red lobster soup to start. Our server brought out warm rolls and butter along with two pretty ceramic bowls with big succulent chunks of lobster and chewy hominy resting in the bottom. He then proceeded to pour a tomato-based broth over the top. Despite the tomato we both loved it….one of the best dishes overall during our vacation!

We shared the trio of tamalitos, or mini tamales, each with a different flavor, roasted duck, lobster, and huitlacochee….three of my favorite things! Unfortunately, neither of us could distinguish which was which, perhaps because they were small and could not contain much filling.

Most disappointing was the huitlacochee, one of my favorite delicacies. A fungus that grows on corn, huitlacochee is indigenous to Mexico and has an unctuous mushroom flavor and is nearly black when prepared. Three dollops of sauces did little to jazz up the drab steamed masa.

We got a bowl of arroz con leche (rice pudding) for dessert. Creamy and spiced with cinnamon, it was a perfect rendition of this traditional Mexican dessert.

With a full menu of Mexican dishes I would surely give Don Manuel’s another try if I’m ever lucky enough to return to Capella Pedregal!

My neighbor LG, her friend RT and I had an impromptu (OMG, like spontaneous!) dinner at Desi Spice Indian in Midtown Promenade Saturday night. It’s been years since I’ve had Indian food. I love it and couldn’t wait to get my hands on some naan!

The restaurant is small, with a standard ethnic decor. The staff, all of whom came to our table at one time or another, is dressed in matching traditional tunics and pants. Service was OK, although my questions about the wine seemed to perplex them.

We started with naan and raita, plus some mango chutney, which was more like syrupy marmalade. The raita was great except for the huge chunks of cucumber discovered at the end. It’s so strange that I like raita since I thoroughly hate cucumbers. But I like tzaziki sauce too….go figure! LG and I split a bottle of Gewurtztraminer….something sweet to cut the spice.

RT was in the mood for chicken tikka, marinated chunks of chicken cooked in the tandoori oven. LG had the kashmiri chicken in a yogurt sauce redolent of banana. I chose my favorite Indian dish, vindaloo with shrimp. The spiciest of Indian curries, the menu warned “don’t blame us tomorrow”. Whatever! Pussies.

RT’s mango lassi was more juice than yogurt. The added ice watered it down too. Along with the entrees we decided to get the rice with peas and raisins and the sag paneer which is cremed spinach with cubes of homemade cheese. The flavor of this dish was good but it was served barely warm.

LG’s dish was creamy and rich, although on the sweet side with raisins and banana. My vindaloo hit the spot but I’ve certainly had it hotter. I sampled RT’s chicken tikka which was very tender and flavorful.

We ended on a sweet note with creamy spiced rice pudding with raisins. Everything was good but nothing was amazing, however, satisfying on a cold Winter’s night.

931 Monroe Drive NE 404-872-2220