Friday, January 9, 2009 7:10 PM
Rob Kinnon
Kool Fish Marisqueria in Playa del Carmen
Yesterday, while Cole and I were out and about gathering a few last pictures to complete this month's Playa del Carmen Construction Update, we took a break and stopped in for a bite at Kool Fish Marisqueria on 5th and 38th. I hadn't heard too much about this place (other than complaints about the loud house music at night) so I was looking forward to checking out their offerings. The restaurant is clean and modern with less than a dozen tables and a small bar. The aforementioned house music was playing, but certainly at a decible level conducive to dining. We arrived at 1:00 pm, rather early for lunch in Mexico, and practically had the place to ourselves. The server was friendly and efficient and happy to suggest some of the more popular tacos. There are sixteen "guisados" or varieties of seafood tacos available as well as empanadas, tostados and gorditos. They have ceviches and seafood cocktails, and a full list of appetizers and entrees. They have a full service bar, booze being offered in a single serving or, for you serious players, by the liter! I settled on a beer and a Fanta for Cole because we still had things to do ;)
The meals are served with a selection of salsas and sauces, all freshly prepared for the table.
I settled on shrimp with strips of poblano pepper and cheese, baby shark, grouper al pastor style and octopus in its own ink (my favorite, by far)
Cole had an appetizer of three enormous quesadillas mounded with fresh and really delicious guacamole (which I happily helped him finish).
I am constantly reminded just how small a town Playa del Carmen still is. This is the beautiful Lande family, Earth, her husband and chiropractor Michael, and their two adorable daughters, Reina and Asha, who both attend El Papalote School. Reina and Cole are already fast friends. Earth and I had been in communication on the Playa Maya News message board, while she was preparing for their move to Playa del Carmen, so it was so nice to finally meet the family and welcome them to Playa!
Kool Fish is located on 5th Ave near the northwest corner of Calle 38. Their menus can be found here in this forum entry . Based on what we have tried, we will certainly be back for more.