Ajua Maya Restaurant Celebrates 10 Years in Playa del Carmen

Ajua Maya Restaurant celebrated 10 years in Playa del Carmen with a traditional celebration mixing Mayan, Mestizo and Mexican cuisine and customs on on May 21, 2011.

Jorge and Brenda Alfaro acquired Ajua Restaurant (now Ajua Maya) in Playa del Carmen in 2001. The restaurant specializes in Mayan, Mestizo, Mexican and a touch of Virginian cuisine; and now, ten years later, the Alfaros enjoy working with many of the same staff and wonderful Ajua friends who return each and every year to share their success.

"Immediately after the acquisition of Ajua, we worked hard to provide our customers with the highest quality ingredients and preparations available on the Riviera Maya," said Brenda Alfaro, the Virginian partner.

"We feel blessed," said Jorge Alfaro, the Mexican-Mayan side of the couple. "Those who experience our creative and inclusive restaurant style, convey to us that we are one of the best, if not the best, restaurant experiences they have ever had in their life. What a compliment."

The Alfaros attribute their restaurant’s success to the extraordinary Mayan staff they have worked with for 10 years. Brenda explained that the Maya infuse Ajua Maya with their noble heritage, including their traditional community culture, which ensures harmony in daily life and in work, free of negativity and full of the joy of working together as a family and a village.

Travel Channel Celeb to Host Playa Food Festival

Playa del Carmen -- Travel Channel star and food pro Mark DeCarlo will team up with local chefs in the Riviera Maya to present the Taste of Playa food event.

DeCarlo, host of "Taste of America with Mark DeCarlo" will conduct a series of food demonstrations with local chefs highlighting the unique recipes of the Mexican Caribbean.The Taste of Playa event is a community-focused culinary celebration that highlights the creativity and diverse cultural influences of chefs throughout the Riviera Maya. Taste of Playa 2010 will take place on November 21, 2010, in Playa del Carmen’s Parque Fundadores.

The event is open to the public, with tickets and all-inclusive VIP passes available for sale on the official event website. Proceeds from the event will go to a food education program initiated by the Rotary Club in Playa del Carmen that will directly benefit the children and families of the Riviera Maya.

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Fine Spanish Cuisine in the Riviera Maya

The owners of the popular Ajua Maya Restaurant, a long-time favorite in Playa del Carmen, have opened the first traditional Spanish tapas restaurant in the Riviera Maya.

Restaurante Tierra España features the culinary creations of Chef Antoni Pellicer, originally from Barcelona. The kitchen serves up a menu of classic dishes from the Spanish Mediterranean, including hot and cold tapas, rich paella, chorizo, blood sausage, cured Serrano ham and fresh seafood. There's also an assortment of traditional desserts and coffees, plus an extensive menu of wines, brandy and sherry.

The ambiance is warm and welcoming, with traditional Spanish décor and a waitstaff that treats every customer like a regular. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and diners can choose a table in the air-conditioned indoor dining room or on the covered patio.

Tierra España is quickly becoming a fun gathering spot for groups watching American football games, international soccer matches and major sporting events. The restaurant hosts regular wine tastings and other events.

Tierra España is located at the corner of Avenida Constituyentes and 20th Street in downtown Playa del Carmen.

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Local Dining in Playa del Carmen

You don't have to go to Fifth Avenue to find good food in Playa del Carmen. Eating where the locals eat can be a great way to stretch your budget while experiencing some local charm.

Some places to try:

Bambu
Eighth Street between Quinta and 10th Avenues
Great for inexpensive Mongolian stir-fry. Pork, beef, shrimp, and vegetarian options are available.

Coctelería el Paisano Veracruz
Avenue Juárez, just west of Highway 307
Eat seafood with the locals. The restaurant specializes in shrimp cocktail but also serves fried fish, ceviche, and other dishes.

El Amendro
Fourth Street between Quinta and 10th Avenues
This typical Mexican restaurant is popular with area workers and budget travelers. The shaded dining room has plastic tables, and the menu includes selections from around the country, including sopes, panuchos, quesadillas, and torta sandwiches. Daily lunch specials ($4) include a main dish, small salad, rice, beans, and a fruit drink.

El Faisán y El Venado
Highway 307, just north of Avenue Juárez
This is a popular local spot for tacos, quesadillas, and seafood. El Fogon
30th Avenue between Fourth and Sixth Streets, in front of Harmon Hall
Located along the busy 30th Avenue strip of local restaurants, El Fogon serves a mixed-grill plate (parrillada mixta) big enough to serve three people. Also try the fried Nopal cactus. Highly recommended.

El Fogoncito
30th Avenue between 28th and 30th Streets
Where do the bartenders and restaurant workers go when their shifts are over? Chances are, you’ll find them at El Fogoncito, which is open 24 hours. Top dishes include tacos al pastor (cut right from the fire) and tortas de carne. Very inexpensive and very good.

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