Achiote Pork Tacos

Cochinita Pibil is a must try dish when visiting the Yucatán Peninsula. The tender, pulled pork has a smokey, slightly tangy flavor and is commonly served in soft corn tortillas.

The traditional method of cooking Cochinita Pibil uses a technique which involves marinating pork in an achiote rub, made from annatto seed, a plant found in the tropics. The meat is wrapped in a banana leaf and placed in an underground barbecue pit filled with wood. The pit is then covered with stone and the pork is left to roast for several hours.

If this process sounds somewhat daunting, have no fear. Here is a simplified recipe you can use in your own kitchen to produce similar, flavorful results.

Achiote Tacos

• 1.5 pounds boneless pork
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 block achiote (the size of one square of baker’s chocolate)
• corn tortillas
• cilantro
• lime wedges
• diced onion
• radishes, sliced
• avocado, cubed

Cut pork into 2 inch pieces and place in a large pot with vinegar, garlic, salt, oregano, achiote and enough water to cover meat completely. Boil on low heat for 2 hours or until the liquid has been reduced, leaving the tender pork in a thick, vivid orange sauce. While the meat is cooking, prepare the cilantro, onion, radish, avocado and lime garnishes. Shred the pork using a fork and serve in warmed corn tortillas with a side of rice and beans.

Chicken is also a savory substitution for this Mayan specialty.

* Look for Achiote in the spice aisle in local supermarkets here in Playa del Carmen. It comes in an orange, rectangle package. Annatto seed can also sometimes be found in specialty stores or in the international aisle elsewhere in North America.

All-Inclusives Versus Vacation Rentals

You’re daydreaming of a vacation. Visions of palm trees and buckets of ice cold Coronas vie for your attention throughout your work day. Imagining the cool sand between your toes and wading in the warm turquoise waters,  you make the decision to book your sun-drenched getaway.

Seeking some time to rejuvenate a worn mind and body that have been dragged through the rat-race is important to you. As you skim through various travel websites in search of the perfect property and destination, you contemplate whether an all-inclusive hotel or a vacation rental will best suit your needs. If you want a unique experience, something above and beyond tequila bingo at the resort swim-up bar, here are some advantages of staying in a vacation rental on your next escape to paradise.

1) A Deeper Cultural Experience

Most often, the only time vacationers leave an all-inclusive hotel is to go for the day on a pricey excursion. While the convenience of a resort is appealing to some travelers, with on-site gift shops and restaurants, this type of vacation does not encourage foreigners to experience the local culture and delicious gastronomy. Staying in your own home away from home allows you to taste cuisine and see sites that you would miss out on if planted within the confines of a hotel property for the duration of your trip.

Spending a few moments researching the festivals and events in the city before you arrive not only will give you a richer experience, it will build your enthusiasm as you set off on your journey towards discovery! Also, taking the opportunity to speak to taxi drivers and other locals can lead to budding friendships and recommendations to the best hidden gems the city has to offer.

2) Privacy and Tranquility

If you are into tequila bingo, who am I to judge? I too have taken that route once or twice and treasure those experiences as well. However, if all you want is to be able to lounge and read that book you purchased months ago but haven’t yet, the tranquility and privacy a vacation home presents might sound intriguing. Condo-resorts tend to be more tame poolside and it is rare that you will have to share your serene space with a rowdy group of obnoxious partiers. Many of Bric Vacation Rentals’  properties have their own ample outdoor garden spaces or private rooftop terraces with jacuzzis, which offer plenty of options for peace and solitude.

3) No Set Schedules

Ample poolside lounge chairs and sun beds at Aldea Thai Luxury Condo Resort

If you are anything like me, my life revolves around a set routine, so I cherish the holidays, when I can toss the agenda out the window and be on my own schedule. If staying in an all-inclusive resort, meals are served during certain times, activities are all scheduled and heaven forbid you sleep in, forget about getting a chair around the pool!

4) Friends And Family Can Visit

If you happen to meet someone outside of your vacation property or have family who live in the area, it’s nice to have the option to invite them back for dinner, drinks or to spend time with them by the pool for a day. When in an all-inclusive resort, it is more of a challenge to connect with newfound friends or relatives as without a bracelet pass, visitors are denied access onto the property.

5) Vacation Rental Properties Offer Many Convenient And Personalized Services

You do not have to book all-inclusive to get convenient perks. Bric Vacation Rentals‘ friendly ambassadors arrange for courtesies such as local cell phones with credit, bottled water delivery and cleaning service. Our professional team of experts offer a wide range of services including grocery delivery to your door, excursion bookings, transportation, dry cleaning, child minding, private chef and spa services for an additional fee. Our aim is to provide you with a more personal experience and our concierge staff strives to provide you with everything required for a comfortable and memorable experience.

Disecting A Mexican Menu Of Traditional Favorites

You anxiously await to deplane.  The flight attendants open the door and as you emerge onto the jetway, the warm, tropical air greets you with a welcoming embrace. Delighted to officially begin your vacation in Mexico, you arrive at your lodgings and settle in.  After the day-long journey, you have a hankering for a cold beverage and a bite to eat.

With over 700 hundred dining establishments to choose from in Playa del Carmen, the city has become a foodie heaven, bursting with flavors from hundreds of different regions of the world.  If you are embarking on an inaugural trip to this land, rich in beauty and culture, this diverse nation offers a long list of delicious culinary creations worth devouring, I mean sampling.

Here is a breakdown of our top 10 list of traditional dishes which will help in navigating the menu on your next Mexican getaway.

1. Ceviche  – a perfect snack or lunch at the beach, this tangy appetizer’s best friend is a bucket of ice cold cervezas.  Light, white fish (pescado) has been cured in lime and salt, then combined with colorful ingredients such as cilantro, tomatoes, onion and avocado.  Other versions are made with prawns (camarones) or a mix of seafood (mixto) and are served with a side of tortilla chips.

2. Enchiladas – this flavorful dish features rolled soft tortillas filled with meat, cheese, beans, potatoes or seafood covered in a chile pepper sauce. They are typically topped with mild red and green salsas, but some recipes take the spice level up a notch.  One of my preferred selections on the menu, are enchiladas stuffed with chicken and covered in a rich mole sauce (chocolate is actually one of the at least 30 ingredients in an authentic mole!)

3. Pozole – there is no denying that Mexican cuisine is one of my favorites and this hearty white hominy soup is another reason why!  Made with a variation of pork, chicken or both, this specialty has been known to remedy a throbbing headache among other hangover symptoms. The whole corn kernels (hominy) add a stew-like dimension to the broth which can be clear, red, or green depending on which recipe you opt for. Fresh toppings include slivered lettuce, radishes, cilantro, and diced onions with a squeeze of lime.

4. Chile Rellenos – Another plate I request most when dining out here in Playa del Carmen are roasted poblano peppers, stuffed with cheese or a ground meat and raisin mixture and coated in a light egg batter. Most often they come smothered in a mild red salsa while other versions are topped with a creamy, walnut sauce. In any case, your tastebuds will shout “gracias!”

5. Chilaquiles – As unusual as the idea of frying tortilla chips in salsa and serving them soft sounds, this traditional breakfast food will subdue the skeptic in you the moment you delve into this tasty dish. Drizzled with thick cream, and garnished with avocado, cilantro, raw onion slices and crumbled cheese, you can also add an egg or meat to this Mexican food fan delight.

6. Empanadas – I would describe these as Mexican pizza pops or perogies. A thin circle of dough made from corn meal or flour is stuffed with a variety of ingredients including chicken, ham, cheese, beans, potatoes or vegetables then folded, pressed on the edges, and fried. Common toppings include pickled red onions, cream, shredded cabbage and salsa.

7. Tamales – A thick, corn-based dough envelopes a filling of meat, beans, cheeses or fruits and is wrapped in dried corn husks and steamed. In our family, we look forward to the tradition of feasting on pork and chicken stuffed tamales every New Year’s Eve.

8. Sopes – refried beans are spread upon a mini pizza-like, fried corn flour dough and served with toppings such as steak, chicken, chorizo, milanesa (a breaded veal, beef or pork),  and garnished with shredded cabbage, pickled red onion, cream, crumbled cheese and salsa.

9. Molcajete – This rich and cheesy entree made of beef, chicken or shrimp and bell peppers is baked in a traditional stone bowl, typically used as a grinding dish.  The savory melted mixture is served with warm soft tortillas and a roasted tomato or tomatillo salsa.

10. If you come to Playa del Carmen, one of the most popular weekend outings is a late night stop at a taco place for Tacos al Pastor. A boneless pork shoulder is marinated in spices and dried chiles then placed on a vertical rod to roast. Thin slices of this perfectly seasoned pork is cut from the spit and served on small tortillas with cilantro, onion, radish, pineapple and a squeeze of lime. These taco diners often offer a variety of salsas which tend to pack a mighty spicy punch. To avoid unsightly steam blowing out from your ears, try washing your tacos down with a cold Modelo beer or a tall glass of horchata, a creamy drink made from rice, vanilla and cinnamon.

These top 10 menu selections will give you a scrumptious sense of the authentic flavors of Mexico. So now that you know, go ahead and explore these and the many more fascinating aspects of this vibrant culture!

Bric Vacation Rental’s Inaugural Cocktail Party A Success!

It was a cause for celebration.  For Bric Vacation Rental’s 10 year anniversary, it was fitting that the company establish a more spacious headquarters to accommodate the growing operational needs of its staff and services.  Not only does the new space meet the size requirements, the dapper design goes above and beyond and breeds an atmosphere of harmony and team engagement.

Last Friday, Bric held it’s first cocktail party to commemorate the grand opening of their new office.  Clients from Canada, the United States and Mexico, as well as staff, friends and family mingled, sipped and congratulated the enthusiastic owners on the expansion. Attendees nibbled on Mexican favorites like ceviche and guacamole and enjoyed the ice cold beer, wine and delightful conversations.

For those of you who have not yet had the opportunity to stop by Bric Vacation Rentals in Playa del Carmen, we invite you to do so!  Next time you are in the Shangri-La area at Calle 38 and the beach,  come and say hello to our friendly team of vacation rental, property management and real estate specialists.  Please stay tuned and save the date for the upcoming   cocktail/meet-and-greet party which will be posted on our Facebook, Twitter and Google + pages.

A Little Piece Of The World I Call “Heaven”

In honor of the ‘I Love Playa del Carmen’ contest presented by Bric Vacation Rentals, we interviewed Michelle, a recurring visitor at one of the city’s most sought after luxury condos, ‘The Elements’.  Michelle first became familiar with Playa del Carmen twenty years ago during its initial blossoming period from rustic, fishing village to vibrant, young city.

Colonio Colosio, Playa del Carmen, 1995

She fell in love with this part of the world she describes as “heaven” and was thrilled to have the opportunity to purchase the stunning Garden House 1, which sits nearest to ‘The Elements’ exclusive beach club.  As the green-blue waters of the Caribbean Sea and pristine beaches are the most compelling aspects of Playa which lure her back time and time again, owning a vacation haven steps from the beach was a must.

‘The Elements’ exclusive beach club

Michelle has passionately created within her retreat, an atmosphere of serenity with its warm color palette and zen-inspiring Thai accents.  It is her home away from home in which all cares of the world tend to diminish upon entering.  The striking, turquoise views from her living room and soothing ambience immediately fill her with a sense of peace.

The views from Garden House 1 in ‘The Elements’

At the time she was introduced to ‘The Elements’, Michelle was impressed by the impeccable grounds, ocean views and desirable location. After spending a considerable amount of time here, she is captivated by the tangible invigorating energy – a result of the natural fusion of Mother Nature’s most remarkable components- Water, Sun, Wind and Fire.  There is a majestic air surrounding Playa del Carmen which has allowed her and her family to stockpile many cherished moments into their memory banks over the years.

A longtime visitor to “The Gem of the Mayan Riviera,”  Michelle has watched the town transform from a once sleepy village with dirt roads to a thriving, world-renowned vacation destination. Although she fondly remembers the “old Playa,” she has welcomed the growth and appreciates the abundance of activities and entertainment options that are now available.

The bustling 5th Avenue today

As a business owner, Michelle looks forward to her escapes to paradise where she can relax and unwind.  In a fast-paced world, Playa offers the perfect opportunity to slip into vacation bliss.  With amenities such as pool-side spa services and an on-site concierge, stresses have a knack of quickly fading away.  One comfortably eases into a rejuvenation period, when ‘Shall we lounge by the pool, or by the sea today?’ is among one of the toughest decisions to be made.

The pool at ‘The Elements’ mere steps from Michelle’s terrace

If duty does call, Michelle is able to take advantage of the Wifi and on premise business center with its floor-to-ceiling windows and mesmerizing ocean views. ‘The Elements’ enviable location, just off the trendy, newly-developed section of 5th Avenue, gives guests convenient accessibility to all the attributes which make Playa del Carmen such an attractive beach getaway.

Not only is Michelle a stone’s throw distance from the pristine beaches, but she is also grateful to be walking distance to hundreds of fabulous restaurants which line the famously effervescent avenue. When she first set foot in Playa, there were only a handful of eateries scattered in the area.  Now there are over 700 restaurants spread over the downtown core, which ranks selecting a place for dinner, as perhaps the second toughest choice she might be faced with on a typical day in paradise.

Trendy dining options on the north end of 5th Avenue

Having her daughter as her frequent travel companion, Michelle values these memorable trips to Playa del Carmen.  She is delighted to be present to witness the on-going metamorphosis of this city she holds so dear to her heart and expects to create many more special moments with her family and friends in which to savor forever.

Eat Like A Local At These Top Restaurants In Playa del Carmen

The effervescent lure of 5th Avenue, with its plethora of shops, restaurants and vivacious nightlife, charms both visitors and those of us who live in #playadelcarmen.   While strolling along this magnetic, world-famous, cobblestone street, vacationers may choose from a succulent mix of native and international cuisine.  However, at times, a curiosity arises to go beyond the main tourist destinations to sample the city’s gastronomy and possibly gain a slightly richer cultural dining experience.

This list features ten top restaurants favored by locals and situated off of the bustling 5th Avenue.  From traditional Mexican dishes, to authentic Italian offerings, to regional options with a contemporary twist, these eateries are sure to satisfy your cravings for something out of the ordinary.

1) Los Aguachiles (Calle 34 and 25th Avenue)

The vast menu offers tostadas topped with fresh tuna, seafood lettuce wraps, oyster and shrimp cocktails as well as smoked fish tacos and delicious salads with ceviche-style shrimp. This popular lunch eatery known for its giant-size bottles of cold beer is open from 12-7pm.

2) Off The Vine (1st Avenue between Calle 26 & 28)

This quaint wine bar is nestled one block from 5th Avenue and features fantastic live musicians in a friendly neighborhood type atmosphere. Their exquisite wines are paired with scrumptious tapas or the chef-prepared menu of the day which includes a starter salad, entree and dessert .  Indulge in a champagne mimosa with breakfast which is served daily after 10am or reserve a table for you and your girlfriends on Tuesday which is ladies night.

3) Romeo’s (Calle 4 between 10th and 15th Avenue)

Aromas of authentic Italian cooking fill the air within this charming local favorite.  A menu of risottos, brick-oven pizzas and hand-made pastas always delight patrons’ tastebuds.  Since all items are prepared fresh,  make allowance for preparation time and enjoy a glass of wine or a cool beverage and the warm ambience.  Call 9841416507 for reservations and hours of operation.

4) Sushi Club (Calle 26 and 10th Avenue)

The best setting to enjoy sushi and saki in Playa del Carmen.  The chic ambience is perfect for couples seeking an romantic night out or for groups of friends gathering together to laugh and converse over samplings of sashimi, rolls, tempura and rice bowls.  Open 24 hours, The Sushi Club features daily food and drink specials,  and a lively Saturday Ladies Night.

5) Caguameria de Esquina (Calle 20 and 1st Avenue)

For superb casual dining and drinks, Caguameria is the starting point of a memorable night out in Playa del Carmen.  The Mexican style cantina offers a contemporary (and comical) menu which bursts with bold flavors from incredible burgers, to smoked salmon tostadas to beet salads.  Conveniently located with exceptional food and service, Caguameria is open 2:00pm – 1am.

6) Casa Sofia (On Airport Avenue in Plaza Coba, Playacar)

This newly established Italian bistro requires reservations every night of the week for good reason!  The pasta is prepared fresh daily, the wine is free flowing and the prices are very reasonable.  The pizzas are loaded with savory toppings and the terrace’s decor is whimsical and romantic.  Open 7am – 11:30pm, reservations are recommended. 984 166 4252

7) Cheester’s (Calle 4 and 40th Avenue)

Specializing in pasta and single serving sizes big enough to feed an entire family, Cheester’s presents a fun dining experience you won’t forget!  Located well away from the tourist scene, you must literally read the writing on the wall, the menu wall that is, to order.  The baskets on the table encourage patrons to leave their cell phones in order to get the most out the rich food and unique dining experience.  Open Wednesdays to Mondays 2:00 – 10:30pm, closed Tuesdays.

8) Como Como (10th Avenue between Calle 12 and 14)

This award-winning restaurant features a menu of Mediterranean-Italian cuisine in a tranquil, intimate setting. The service, food and presentation are divine as is the craft beer and organic wine selection.  Open daily for breakfast 7:00am – 1:30pm and for lunch and dinner, 1:45 – 11:30pm.  Reservations are recommended and free 2 hour parking is available in the Tendenza building across the street.

9) Cueva del Chango (Calle 38 between 5th Avenue and the sea)

An array of tropical blended juices, fresh-baked sweet breads, crepes, and a host of traditional Mexican breakfast and dinner entrees are served within a stunning, natural setting.  Youngsters enjoy spotting the inconspicuous monkeys hanging throughout “The Monkey’s Cave” as well as admiring the turtles and Koi fish in the pond.  Open  8:00am – 10:30pm, this place is a must when dining in Playa del Carmen.

10) El Fogon (Calle 6 bis and 30th Avenue diagonally across from Walmart)

The list would not be complete without a nod to a genuine Mexican taqueria!  There are several El Fogon locations in downtown Playa, but this one is the biggest with 2 floors.  For a truly authentic taco experience, I recommend the tacos al pastor, delicious shavings of spit-roasted pork topped with a slice of pineapple, cilantro and onions.  You will need an icy pina colada or a cold beer to tame the fire in your mouth from the spicy salsas that add the finishing touch to these delicious Mexican specialties.