The Casual Restaurant Critic Well it seems that there is a new restaurant every week in Merida, and, while it doesn't quite get near New York just yet in culinary diversity, there are some interesting new options that take the famoso "road less travelled" and put Merida's conservative tastes to the test with new flavors and textures. Does that sound poetic or what. The Critic must be getting old. When he starts bringing home shampoos from hotels then he'll have definite proof that old-age has officially arrived.
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Siracusa
From the Italian Mediterranean to Merida
It's Italian but with a Sicilian mediterranean twist. While there are pastas on the menu, none are like any of the traditional pasta dishes found at other, more conventional Italian restaurants in Merida. Like the previously reviewed Borrego Acurrucado, Siracusa is also a converted house, with dining indoors and 'al fresco' in the patio at poolside complete with splashing water and rustic wooden tables. The informal atmosphere is reflected in the personnel; no uniforms, just a group of friends looking after the tables.
The menu is imaginative, very different and full of all sorts of unique combinations. The bread basket contains what appears to be a home-made bread, unlike any store-bought variety. For appetizers, the group ordered mushroom caps stuffed with, among other things, almonds (the menu said pecans), a piece of provolone cheese, hot, served in a home-made tomato sauce and sprinkled with toasted pecan bits; coconut/shrimp soup (kinda corn-starchy thick but tasty); The Critic ordered a fusilli pasta with black olives, feta cheese, prosciutto and celery - recommended! The truth is, everything on the menu looks really appealing and the group had a hard time deciding what to order! The wine list is varied and has some quality brands. Beware of the wine by the glass, which was, at 46.00 pesos per, a little steep pricewise. For dessert, there is the attractive pear covered in chocolate, unfortunately, since good chocolate is hard to come by in Merida, it wasn't as good as it looked. The tiramisu is very good, as is the cold flan made with oranges. Coffees were alright, the espresso a little too watery.
In the lobby, there is a variety of real Italian pastas, olives, olive oil, vinegar etc. for sale if you are so inclined.
Siracusa isn't cheap (900 pesos or 90 dollars incl. wine, tip for 4 persons) but it's refreshing to be able to try something new and very different. Worth a visit.
Casual Restaurant Critic Rating: 4
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Beginning 1999, the Critic started rating the places he visited. Here's the scoop:
1
horrendous, don't bother, not worth the price, time and/or calories
2
3
4
5
service and appropriate concept (everything gels, from silverware to furniture to
music to decoration etc.)