Restaurant Review: Casa de Piedra at Hacienda Xcanatun

Restaurant Review: Casa de Piedra, Hacienda Xcanatun (December 2008)

Menu following review: January 2009 

Ambience: beautifully restored hacienda with indoor and terrace dining. Live music: classical trio. Location: Just north of Merida on the road to Progreso. Price for two including wine, appetizers, main courses, shared dessert and coffee: $950 pesos. Hours: Breakfast daily from 8 am to 11:30 am. Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday from 1 pm to 11 pm. Sunday hours are from 8 am to 11:30 am and 1 pm to 9 pm.

Dining at Casa de Piedra at Hacienda Xcanatun is a special treat to be indulged in when you really want to pamper yourself. The ambience, food, and service are all exquisite. It is no surprise that the restaurant has received awards from the Federal Tourism Secretary, the 4 diamond award from AAA, and the Star Diamond Award of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.

Four of us recently treated ourselves to dinner at Casa de Piedra. The whole evening was perfect from beginning to mouth-watering end. We started our evening with appetizers: the special soup of the day made with cream of apple and curry; the Xcanatún Roasted Beet and Orange Salad over Mixed Greens with Goat Cheese and Orange Vinaigrette; the  Iceberg Wedge with Tomatoes and Bacon Vinaigrette; and the Salad of Tomato, Goat Cheese and Serrano Ham with Basil-Balsamic Reduction. All were beautifully presented and tasted heavenly. For the main course we had the special filet of salmon; the Fetuccini with Pesto of Hoja Santa, Valladolid smoked Sausage, Prawns and Octopus; the Beef Filet in Cochinita Pibil Sauce over Grilled Red Onions; and the Fresh Sesame Crusted Tuna with Soy and Citrus Reduction, Wasabi-Mashed Potatoes and Heart of Romaine. Every dish was perfectly prepared and just the right amount. For dessert we ordered and shared the two specials: a divine chocolate torte and a baked apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Both were melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Accompanied by a bottle of wine, coffee with dessert, and a trio of classical musicians, the evening was unforgettable.

The Casa de Piedra prides itself on serving what people want. If there is an item from a previous menu that you would love to have, with a little advance notice they will prepare it for you. If you want to substitute one dish for another, your request will be honored. They use local ingredients with a French technique, and the culture of Yucatan is also present in the list of Yucatecan specialties. Oysters are prepared fresh with salsa Maya, or baked Rockefeller style with spinach au gratin. Ingredients are fresh and lovingly assembled.

For Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve there will be special menus at a fixed price. Reservations are a must. Both include homemade breads, champagne, and a dessert buffet, and for Christmas Eve there is a special kids' menu, too. New Year's Eve will of course be accompanied by live music and the obligatory 12 grapes at midnight. The Christmas Eve menu (490 pesos for adults, 260 pesos for kids) offers various selections for appetizers and soups, and then a main course. The New Year's Eve menu (890 pesos) begins with appetizers, then has a choice of soups and then a main course. There is something for every taste and with special touches to make the holiday dinners memorable evenings for you and your family. Call 941 0213 for reservations. www.xcanatun.com

Read what other travelers think about Casa de Piedra. 

Menu:

Appetizers
Duck Breast and Pine Nut Paté with a Dijon Sauce $75
Chaya Mousse in Pear Sauce $65
Brandy-Glazed Chicken Liver Paté with Cornichons and Crostinis $75
Shrimp, Tomato and Avocado Timbal with Citrus Vinaigrette $85
Fresh Mussels a la Marinière with Essence of Yucatecan Lima and French Fries (when available) $110
Caribbean Style Ceviche with Octopus, Fish and Squid $90

Carpaccios and Tartares
Yellowfin Tuna Sashimi with Wasabi- Avocado Puré $110
Fresh Shrimp Carpaccio with Pickled Radishes and Xcatic Chile Vinaigrette $95
Xcanatún-Style Beef Carpaccio $95

Soups
Cream of Poblano Chile with Roquefort Cheese $75
Classic French Onion Soup $85
Cumin-Scented Plantain Soup $70
Pork Crackling Soup with Tequila Infusion $70

Salads
Xcanatún Roasted Beet and Orange Salad over Mixed Greens with Goat Cheese and Orange Vinaigrette $70
"BLT" Salad: Iceberg Wedge with Tomatoes and Bacon Vinaigrette $65
Salad of Tomato, Goat Cheese and Serrano Ham with Basil-Balsamic Reduction $75
Classic Caesar Salad $70 (with Chicken $140)

Pasta
Fetuccini with Hoja Santa Pesto, Valladolid Smoked Sausage, Prawns and Octopus $180 
Spaghetti Margherita with Tomato, Basil, and Parmesano Reggiano $145
Linguini with Putanesca Sauce and Black Pepper Seared Yellowfin Tuna $175 

Fish & Seafood
Fresh Sesame-Crusted Tuna with Soy and Citrus Reduction, Wasabi-Mashed Potatoes and Heart of Romaine $198
Sautéed Cobia over Roasted Red Onion and Oven Warmed Basil Tomatoes $180
Mandarin Glazed Salmon over Marinated Cabbage Salad and Potato Crisps $175
Xcanatun Style Loin of "Bruja", Crispy Potato, Grilled Asparagus with Lime-Oregano Vinaigrette $170
Bacon-Wrapped and Prune-Stuffed Shrimp with Cilantro Wild Rice $195
Seared Prawns with Chorizo and Poblano Chile over Jardinière Rice  $195

Poultry & Meats
Tamarind-Chile Chicken Breast with Jicama and Mango Salad, Fried Camembert $150
Duck Magret in Xtabentun Glaze with Stuffed Plantain Croquettes $200
Duck Enchiladas with Chevre, Lettuce and Tomato Garnish $145
Duck Breast in Light Mango Mole Sauce and Cilantro Wild Rice $180
Argentinian-Style Hanger Steak with Chimichurri Sauce, Potato Wedges and Green Salad $170
Beef Filet in Cochinita Pibil Sauce over Grilled Red Onions $185

Steaks and Chops
Grilled Double Pork Chop with Apple-Guava Chutney and Yucca-Garlic Crisps $180
Grilled Beef Tournedo Wrapped in Bacon with Three-Pepper Glace, choice of two sides $230
Thick-Cut Prime Ribeye Seasoned with Fresh Cracked Black Pepper, choice of two sides $320
Generous cut of New York Supreme Seasoned with Fleur de Sel and Fine Herbs, choice of two sides $300

Sides
Crispy Potato Wedges
Potato Gratin
Braised Creamed Spinach
Sautéed Mushrooms and Garlic
Grilled Lemony Scallions
Lettuce and Tomato Salad
Basil-Roasted  Tomatoes
Grilled Asparagus

Yucatecan Specialties
Salbutes (3) Traditional Fried Tortillas with Shredded Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado and Achiote-Marinated Chicken $65 (with Duck Confit $110)
Panuchos (3) Traditional Fried Tortillas stuffed with Refried Black Beans, under Shredded Lettuce, Tomato, Avocado, and Achiote-Marinated Chicken $65 (with Duck Confit $110)
"Xcatic" Chiles filled with "Cochinita Pibil" $90
Sour Lime Soup (A traditional Yucatecan Dish with Shredded Chicken, Tortilla Strips, Tomatoes and Peppers) $60
Cochinita Pibil (Pulled Pork with Orange and Annato Adobo) $130
Poc Chuc (Pan Fried Pork Cutlets with Pickled Red Onion and Grilled Tomato Salsa) $130