Dear My Gorgeous Pretties,
Mid-week checkin, how are we feeling?! Though I’m in Mexico, there’s been so much going on all over the world. Americaaaaa!! Amirite? As your SweetHaht & someone who you know can yap, you have left me absolutely speechless, My Dears. Just. Wow. And Brazil. And we have the first Olympic sporting event in taking place right now in Senegal with the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar. I’m just so overwhelmingly proud to be a human right now. What a time to be alive!
We begin our story in Valladolid, Yucatan, MX. Everyone kept asking, “Why there?” and a master of their craft never reveals all the wonder of ways, but I will say it is so rich in culture and history, it was a great place to stay. I’ve only ever been to Mexico once prior for my brother’s wedding so I’m glad to have come back and experience it for a longer period of time and really be a part of the mix, ya know?
As I’m sure you can guess, food was top of mind. And I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were plenty of vegan options for me to survive my time. But when you think about traditional cooking, particularly in cultures that are still very much rooted in their indigenous identity, you will find that, in many cases, because food is directly tied to the land, many dishes are inherently vegan or vegetarian due to the resources available and eating from the seasonal fruit of the earth.
My very first day in town I stumbled upon a place that became the point of many a return number 1, due to its utter deliciousness, and 2) because of their backyard garden which they sourced directly from. The land and its roots.
So today’s love letter is dedicated to Carolin Cacao Café Boutique in Valladolid, a MUST-DINE food & sanctuary retreat. Naturally, they are being awarded the Delectable Dining Award of the Week.
I was immediately taken with their patio dining. There are a few tables inside as well, but being one with nature and the fact that their garden was right there, I had to sit outside. I will say, I have also been present here during quite a few flash thunderstorms so just beware that the chance of rain has been high and ya just might get a little bit wet.
They offer their menu in both English & Spanish. While I can read & understand for the most part, I would always get both if available to try to learn new words, kinda like watching Spanish language shows with the captions on.
They offer a plethora of fresh juices with ingredients harnessed right from the garden. I’m sat with jamaica whether it be hot tea or served cold. One of the many staples the kid keeps on deck herself.
Literally came back the next day and had a solo café (Oaxaca) and lemongrass infusion (garden crop, 10/10)
This first day affair I had to have my daily dose of caffeine, and being a café with their fresh selection of local coffees, I got the espresso trio with coffee beans from Chiapas, Oaxaca, & Veracruz.
They were all delicious! This was ordered almost every visit, but the Chiapas was definitely my favorite of the three.
The avocado toast immediately caught my attention. Served 2 ways, they offer a vegetarian option con huevos, or a vegan option con roasted vegetales.
Served on 2 slices of black rye bread (utterly fabulous!) and with a pot of homemade sauce (pictured with spoon) and a slice of watermelon. Also can we get a little commotion for the handcrafted ceramics?? I mean, how cute are these cups and dishes!
I always requested a side of salsa picante (left of plate). Their homemade recipe is TO DIEEEE! And I've had some at every restaurant I’ve visited; theirs wins. Y nada mas! Though this was the only thing I ate, again, on one of many occasions, I always say that if someone and/or a restaurant knows how to make vegan & vegetarian dishes delicious, then it is highly likely that their meat dishes are just as divine. If you are coming through Valladolid, do yourself a favor and get in line. I have a feeling they’re about to be extremely busy.
Their garden was equally a main draw.
One of my 2 favorite retreats inside the heart of the city.
Will you walk with me?
The entire property radiated peace & loving-kindness.
You can easily see why this quickly became my favorite place.
And a sublime spot to meditate.
Radiating magnificence.
I can’t speak of them highly enough.
Before we head over to their interior shop, I wanna show you the restroom. Lolz. I don’t even care. The outdoor, botanical theme was seamless. Loved!
Heading into the shop from the patio, you’ll see the artisanal gelato station to the left, seating to your right and center, along with the pay/order station and espresso area.
Knit cultural dolls hang on the door.
And locally crafted teapots, teacups & glassware along the back wall.
Naturally they also sold the coffee they offered on the menu.
And now that I think of it, I forget to get some for the road!! Oh no! Oaxaca, I needjuuuuuu! 😩 My Honey, can you order for me? Pwetty pweeeeeeease??
I also lament that I didn’t try their gelato after experimenting with dairy and finding out that I’m not allergic outside of the U.S. I still hate the taste of milk by itself though so no I don’t want it in my cawfee or tea. Only cheese, ice cream, or butter format if you so please!
If you enter the store directly from the street, you’ll find the Corner of Couture—my name, not theirs— to your right, next to the coffee display.
They have everything from dresses to hats, joyas to bags.
The hand-stitched embroidery is going to be a common theme amongst the clothing and accessories here.
Along with stunning murals and artistry.
From my every-time-I-visited server Sandy (Thank you & cuidate mucho!—give her a raise), to the chef in the kitchen (raise x2), to the grounds and works of art, this place is one to be radically set apart. I had to start with them because Carolin Cacao Café & Boutique immediately & legitimately became my favorite place to be. You won’t regret paying them a visit. Next time, will you join me in the garden for a cuppuhhh if you so please?
Cheers!
A lot of tour busses come through Valladolid, which I didn’t know until I got here. But then, once you’re here, you can understand why. There’s lots to see in town and nearby. Like the local centote. Located less than a block from Carolin Cacao, Cenote Zaci is the happening cenote in town.
With lizards longer than my torso to patrol the grounds.
A cenote is a natural sinkhole or pit that forms when limestone bedrock collapses, exposing the groundwater underneath. Predominantly found in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, [they] can also be found in other regions with similar geological features. They were formed over thousands of years through the dissolution of limestone by rainwater, which creates underground caverns and networks of water-filled caves. (Cenotesmexico.org)
You can barely make him out in the first picture there, but I told my tìo (in the red shirt) that I would be back to take a dip the last weekend of my stay, and of course I got sick so I barely went anywhere. One of the local shop owners from the galleria on site, he was always a pleasure whenever I walked by. Whether waving from a distance or stopping me to chat when I was close, he was one of those kind of local people that you should definitely boast. Whatever he’s selling, buy it.
We will end this edition with some street pics and general joi de vivre.
And look forward to you joining us on our adventures around Valladolid.
Well, My Gorgeous Pretties, tonight that’s it for me, but we’ve got plenty more to dish on as we eat our way through these streets. Thank you once again for coming along on this ride with me. Whoever you are, wherever you may be, you could be anywhere in the world, but here you are with me. And I love that for you. And I love that for me. I pray an overflow of abundance over you this week. See you next time, My Gorgeous Sweets. Stay blessed out there, yea? And of course, God speed.
Love Always (& besitos!),
Gracias a Dios
For this EXTRAordinary kinda love
And of course big praise to all of High Heavens above
