Relaxation and Culinary Theater in Riviera Maya

It was my third day as a guest of Karisma Hotels in Riviera Maya and I couldn’t have been more relaxed.

Every morning my friend Roberta and I had talked about breakfast at one of the Generations or El Dorado restaurants.

The room service options were just so convenient, included in the all-inclusive plan, and offered many delicious choices we couldn’t resist indulging in breakfast in bed.

I started my day with a veggie-filled omelet, fruit, a croissant, and coffee.

Roberta went to explore the El Dorado Riviera Maya properties and do some shopping while I relaxed. I was nursing an ankle injury so I was content to relax on one of the lounge chairs in the water behind our swim-up suite.

When she returned, we ventured out for the short swim to the bar for some drinks. It was a beautiful day and the water felt great in the hot sun.

We didn’t want to leave the pool area so we just ordered lunch from Palms Gourmet Terrace.

I had loved their carnitas tacos on the first day at Generations and we both decided to order them.

After lunch, we decided to head to the beach. Generations, as well as its sister resorts El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Casitas, is located on a great stretch of sand.

For my time down at the beach, I put on a tankini Eco Swim by Aqua Green had sent me. I really loved the fit and style. I was comfortable walking around in it and protected by the built-in SPF.

Eco also sent me a really comfy hooded cover-up to further shield me from the sun as I got comfortable on one of the Bali Beds on the beach.

I wished I could go in the water as I watched Roberta wading in the blue sea, but I couldn’t complain about the view from where I was sitting.

We had a very special dinner for our last night. We were lucky enough to be in town for one of the Culinary Theater Banquets at Fuentes Restaurant at El Dorado Royale, the adults-only resort next door to Generations.

El Dorado Royale invites a guest celebrity chef in for the night to work with one of their partners. In this case, it was Jackson Family Wines.

When we arrived, there was a mariachi band and wine waiting for us.

Inside the tables were formally set with a five wine glasses in front of us, one for each course.

Our guest chef was Eli Kirshstein, the Chef Partner of The Luminary, Atlanta. He was also a participant on Top Chef: Las Vegas.

Working with him as he made and explained every course was Elyse Kudo, Division Vice President for Jackson Family Wines.

While explaining everything, Chef Eli Kirshtein put his photo up on the wall with the other chefs who have put together these unique culinary events.

Here was our menu for the night:

Local Fish Ceviche & Tigers Milk

Avocado Salad*

Freemark Abbey, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2012

Beef Tartare with French Onion Dip, Caviar & Chips

Matanzas Creek, Sauvignon Blanc, Helena Bench, 2012**

Spiny Lobster with Sweet & Sour Puree, English Peas

Chicken substituting for lobster*

Gran Moraine Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton 2012

Duck Breast with Beets, Swiss Chard, Pickled Strawberries

Donna Olimpia, 1898, Rosso, Bolgheri, 2010

Cinnamon Panna Cotta with baked fruit cake, honeytuile, and a fruit sorbet

Kendall Jackson Riesling, Vintners Reserve, Monterrey County, 2013

Between courses, Chef Kirshstein and Elyse Kudo were happy to answer audience questions.

It was a fun evening, but we were happy to have an employee take us back to our suite in Generations Riviera Maya when it was done.

When we arrived, my bed was made up with a towel elephants and roses for my final night. I was looking forward to one more night of falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean.

*These items were substituted for me since I have a seafood allergy.