Lolo Lorena and Espresso Bliss

There are days when you simply do not want a Nescafe.  Sometimes it works for you--like when shoving a piping hot tamale on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere as you're driving toward the USA border...but whilst on Isla Mujeres, I usually hooked myself up with either a cappuccino at Manana or a sorta-cortado at a new little cafe called Lolo Lorena Bakery (just south of the marina). 

I would have to say that the cortado at her place was the winner (well, for as far as cortados go...Manana will always be #1)...only because the delicious smells wafting up from the rear kitchen were deadly.  Croissants, sweets, pan con chocolate.  For real, when you have had it up to here with Mexico (which I NEVER did)...roll into this small French-style cafe and grab a flaky croissant and a simmering pot of straight espresso with cream and copious amounts of sugar.  The whole blend is lethal and enough to drive one mad. 

The owner is also building some cute rooms to let above the shop (done in a few months, MAYBE) and also puts together this fantastic 3+ course Chef's meal where you pay a set price for dinner and she just serves up whatever is fresh that day.  I love it.

See, that is what I grew to adore about this little island.  So much different food, all over the place.  There's French, Italian, Mexican, Mediterranean, Mayan, Middle Eastern, and all sorts of other yummy stuff around every corner.  If it was just all Mexican, all the time, it might get to be a bit much (or not).   But, I have to say that on a tiny island 5 miles long and where you could practically spit and hit the other side, well...there's def. some good shizz happening.  It's sorta like the island version of Roger's Park, my Chicago neighborhood.  I miss you La Unica.

Comments

[Misty]

I am so happy that someone else knows about this place. I swear the smells floating out of the rear kitchen are to-die-for.

[Trina]

My husband and I were on the island a couple years ago - I was checking my email at a local internet shop (Digame) and my husband was sitting in the lobby talking to Chris (owner) and a lovely lady named LoLo. Brian went back to use the computer and when he came out, I had arranged for us to have dinner at her house that evening. He wasn't to thrilled about going to a strangers home to eat. The dinner was amazing! LoLo, her husband and their son made us feel like family. The food was the best we had had on the island. Her use of saffron made the sauce on my shrimp absolutley ... the only word i can think of is delicate. After dinner we all went out to their backyard (courtyard) and had cocktails. It was a fantastic evening. I haven't read anything from anyone talking about LoLo. Your pictures and words made me smile. Thank you.