The Casual Restaurant Critic
You might agree or disagree with my opinions, but that's life, isn't it? And no, I get no commissions or kickbacks from any of the places favorably reviewed - I do this entirely for my own amusement and your information. This, by the
way, is the one part of NotTheNews that often features POSITIVE critiques, so to those
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The Critic's Back!

Another Breakfast Buffet
February, 2001

The last time the Critic went for a meal at Meridas' sparkling Fiesta Americana hotel, it was a Sunday brunch and turned out to be the 4th time that there was no room at the inn and the hostess was a snot. Before that, the Fiesta Americana had a great room called El Mural, that featured a really classy and fishy buffet. This place closed soon after a visit by the Critic and his familia politica, who promptly devoured every last gram of smoked salmon and trout and probably caused the demise of the Food and Beverage Manager when the food costs rolled in that month.

Yet again, the Critic digresses.

The reason for mentioning the Fiesta Americana is that this morning, the Critic sallied forth (went out) to have breakfast with a ser querido (loved one) and found, lo and behold, a breakfast buffet to critique! What fun! 

The background music is classical and the volume is just enough to determine the composer, without having a violin concerto distract you from your business meeting or whatever.

Service is attentive, the host friendly enough, although the waiters are more polished and more professional at the Hyatt across the street. 

Coffee was brought to the table right away and for the most part, regularly refilled. Unfortunately, the coffee was old and had been on that warmer for a while, which is OK for those of you from the southern You-Knighted states accustomed to truck stop joe, but not acceptable at a hotel of this caliber. One can always determine the age of the coffee, not only by the metallic, slightly burnt taste, but by its' gray color when milk or cream is added. 

The buffet food, however, was quite acceptable. Real breakfast sausages instead of those disgusting (sorry Xtabay - can't stand 'em) heated cocktail wieners some places try to pass off as breakfast fodder, were a welcome addition to the usual assortment of eggs made to order, as well as panuchos and antojitos mexicanos. There was also a cochinita pibil, beef tips, pork roast, chicken, chilaquiles and of course, the ubiquitous refried beans. Beware of the beans stuffed in the panucho tortillas, apparently, according to the Critic's ser querido, they were off.

There are cold cuts, fresh bread, including delicious warm cinnamon rolls and a moist banana bread, yogurts, fresh fruit, blended drinks with everything from celery to strawberries and a variety of fresh juices including papaya.

Translations on the dishes leaves a lot to be desired, especially for a supposedly 5 star hotel. This Critic expects the Conquistador hotel to call french toast 'French Toasted' and the chilaquiles 'Fried Tortillas with Sauce' but not the Fiesta Americana.

To Sum Up

Having breakfast here was a nice break from the Hyatt Touch, where one gets taken for granted if one goes too often. 

If they could make some improvements to that coffee, touch up the translations on the buffet, the place would be perfect. 

The service starts at 6:30 a.m. and goes on for most of the morning. Some of Merida's cheaper residents have found out that the buffet is 2 for 1 from 10:00 to 12:00, so if saving 140 pesos or so is important to you and you can afford to have breakfast for lunch, by all means check that out. 

Casual Critic Rating: 4

Beginning 1999, the Critic started rating the places he visited. Here's the scoop:

 

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