You’ll know you’ve arrived at BC66 by the cute little black and yellow Vochito (Volkswagen Beetle) that greets you on 66 x 43. On its side, it reads “Bistro Cultural,” the name by which many may have known BC66 for many years. It’s the white and light blue house on the corner. You can’t miss it: its bohemian attitude and the aroma of freshly baked pastries can be felt from the door.
“The concept is very simple,” Yohann Chauvineau, chef and owner of the bistro, shared with me. For him, “cooking is universal for everyone and we have to share what we do.” Under this premise, BC66 offers very healthy French food with Yucatecan ingredients at an affordable price for everyone.
Chef’s kiss for BC66
You’ll find a delicious menu full of dishes cooked with fresh ingredients from the local market and other producers in the area. You see, for Yohann it’s important to support the people around him; in this case, local producers. “I use my French recipes with local products,” he explained to me before talking about the Chaya Quiche with goat cheese they occasionally serve: a traditional French recipe with his own Yucatecan twist. As he mentioned, “it’s a simple gastronomic fusion.”
If you’re a bit like me, who avoids repeating dishes during the week, here’s a wonderful tip: in addition to their menu, BC66 has a special that changes every day. You’ll find it on the blackboard from Monday to Friday – if you don’t see it, ask! The chef is in charge of planning it the same morning depending on the ingredients he finds at the market.
Are you a fan of French pastries? BC66 starts baking at 8 am, every day, a wide array of delicious (that should be all caps) products. You’ll enjoy croissants, pain au chocolat, chocolate chip braids, and other traditional offerings. Or maybe you’d prefer a breakfast recommendation? Order one of their packages for a main course (Omelette, Croque Monsieur, or Croque Madame gourmet, depending on the package of your choosing), coffee, fruit salad, and a natural fruit drink for less than $180 pesos.
BC66 as a cultural venue
“I have a place, I have an audience; the least I can do is to offer it to others.” BC66 has been a venue for painting or photography exhibitions in the past. Yohann Chavineu recalled that these comprised works by a well-known artist and two “not very well known” young ones, to give the latter an opportunity to present their work to the public.
Since events of more than 70 people cannot be held at the moment, BC66 gave a little twist to its “cultural” factor. Every weekend, starting Friday morning, you will enjoy jazz, various covers, and French songs. Their recurring line-up includes bands like Swinga tu Madre, Las Infiltradas, and La Rumbateca.
Be sure to make reservations in advance, as it can get quite crowded Saturdays and Sundays between 10 am and 12 pm, when the musicians perform.
Calle 66 #377-C x 41 y 43, Centro, Mérida
Tel. and Whatsapp: 999 221 9756
FB: BC66
Mon. – Sat. 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Sun. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Live music: Fri. 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, Sat. and Sun. 10 am – 12 pm
Editorial by Olivia Camarena
Yucatecan communicologist. Your favorite Assistant Editor. Writer, blogger, and bookstagrammer in her spare time. She also experiments with TikTok.
Photography by Olivia Camarena for its use in Yucatán Today.
Esta entrada también está disponible en: ES
