What To Do In Playa Del Carmen: The Dining Experience (Dinner Party) Monday 02 July, 2018
I am currently in Playa Del Carmen and I found a fun interactive experience in the town. I attended the amazing The Dining Experience like a professional dinner party with some hands on elements. Throughout the evening we learned about the cuisine, made our own salsas but that is all in terms of cooking and even make out own cocktails. The event is definitely 18+ and all drinks and meals are all inclusive to this experience!
So what is prevalent in traveling is you have to eat right. If you are a foodie like me you Google and you research where is the top places to eat in a city o country. I have definitely already done that several times while I been in Playa and its been pretty successful. I am also here for a month, and remember I am solo traveling. So when I was presented with The Dining Experience I really didnt know what to expect. I thought it was just going to be a regular dinner for two with different food items. I was wrong and it was way more than I thought it was going to be. I had no idea it was a dinner party with other travelers like me, a few locals and some expats who wanted to have a new dinner experience while in the city.
Leon who was our amazing interactive host for the evening. He was so fun, informative, interactive and hilarious!
Leon, who was our lovely host for The Dining Experience explained thefoundation of this event dinner parties was created not only to just have a cool dinner experience, but for adults to meet other traveling adults and connect. Answer the question honestly, when you travel how do you make friends while on vacation? Yes sure you can go to a bar and chat up with people there over drinks, but its still not a personal efficient way to connect all the time. So the Dining Experience is perfect because it was an authentic night of mingle over food, laughing and talking and having this time together for a few hours. This was perfect, especially since I was a solo traveler.
Even though I came to Playa Del Carmen solo, before I did this dinner party experience I actually invited a new friend that I met online in a Playa Expat Facebook Group. Her name was Cristal, who also happens to be a blogger too at TofuTraveler.com, and we met for the first time at this event because I invited her. So not only did I make a new friend in Playa via Facebook (which I would highly recommend any solo traveler try to do in different countries if there is an expat group for it on that platform) but WE made new friends during this dinner. This was cool for Cristal too because she been in Playa for a few months, but she was also willing to meet new people – and since she been here she never got a chance to experience Playa Del Carmen like this. So this was going to be a great night!
Leon demonstrating step by step on how to make a cocktail. Then we all had a ball replicating a cocktail drink and letting our neighbor taste our creation. It was cute because we were taught mini bartending 1-on-1 lessons such as muddlings, properly pouring measurements and showcasing our best cocktail shake faces to each other!
A sampler of drinks to preview the drink we were going to make soon.
Cocktail #1 : Simple Syrup, blueberries, orange juice, lime juice and Flor de Damiana
Cocktail #3: Simple Syrup, cilantro (to taste), habanero (to taste), orange juice, lime juice, passionfruit juice and tequila
Mexican street food sampler: Sope w/potato and chorizo, Prawn al Pastor and Esquites
First course Mexican street food sample plate.
Sope with Potato and Chorizo: This is made with Masa (corn flour), Mexican chorizo, potato, diced onion, garlic,vegetable oil and sour cream.
Prawn al Pastor: This is made with prawn (shrimp) and pineapples on a kabob with a special marinade.
Esquites (Mexican Street Corn): This is the gourmet version of traditional Mexican street corn. This is made with white corn kernels, butter, epazote(combined herb flavorings of cilantro/mint/anise/citrus), guajillo (chilli) alioli, lime, cheese and powdered milk.
Chaya Tostada
Second Course of an exotic Mexican herb salad called Chaya Tostada. Chaya is a Caribbean spinach like dish that is healthy and near and dear to Mayan cuisine. The Chaya is presented on a tostada that is combined with vegetable oil, lime and smoked sea salt with a Huitlacoche puree.
Huitlacoche is a mexican truffle and also a Mayan delicacy that gives an earthy, mushroom like taste.
Lionfish Ceviche: Fresh lionfish, tomatillo, Nopal (catcus), bell pepper, cucumber, mango, orange, vegetable oil, grapefruit, parsley, lime, olive oil and white corn tortilla
Third Course Lionfish Ceviche (which this can get made without seafood/vegetarian friendly). It was so delicious and one of the special ingredients to this dish is Nopal (cactus). Nopal or also known as prickly pear, can be eaten raw, cured or made into a marmalade. Nopal is is slightly tart in flavor which blends perfectly with the sharp ingredients of a cerviche!
Interactive session on how to make authentic salsa and guacamole. We each got an opportunity to take turns using an authentic motar and pestal of Mexico to grind our own salsa and guac mix for our upcoming tacos.
Leon showing us how to eat a taco the right way! Who knew there was taco eating etiquette?
Fourth Course Taco Spread with all of the toppings! On top of the guac and salsa we all made together, there were spreads of fresh tortillas, diced onions, fillings varieties of chicken, beef, pork, cauliflower and more. This was definitely a great table taco bar where we all made our own unique combo of tacos. This was so much fun and very delicious. Everything was so fresh and flavorful!
100% Vegan-Friendly Cacao Mousse
Fifth Course Cacao Mousse for our dessert. If you dont know what cacao is, I learned about it all here when I went to Panama last year and visited an indigenous Cacao Plantation. Cacao is the fruit that all chocolate originates from. It is considered a superfood on the market now, but the Mayans and ingenious people today consider it sacred. We did a special prayer before we ate this and it set the mood and concluded our wonderful evening. This was very delicious!
This was an amazing dinner. So much to eat, mingling and even being apart of making our own food and having a fun dinner night. It is one of the best foodie experiences I ever had. It lasted for quiet some time, it didn’t feel rushed and it was just a great flowing evening with like-minding travel and foodie loving adults. We definitely got a good taste of Mexico, and I appreciate participating in making authentic Mexican cocktails, guac and salsa and just indulging in the food while learning more about the culture. Traveling is way more than just visiting a country – you can learn history while you eat and The Dining Experience definitely provided that and more. I also want to highlight if you do book, they are very accomodating to any and all dietary needs before the event so no one will feel left out in this experience. If you are looking for something unique outside of the ordinary and eating dinner differently, I highly recommend The Dining Experience when visiting Mexico! It exceeded my expectations for sure. This is definitely something different and exciting to do if you are ever in Playa Del Carmen or Tulum, Mexico!
The Dining Experience can also be booked in Tulum,Mexico as well.
Have you ever done an international dinner party?
About the Blogger - Kiwi the Beauty
Kiwi is the free spirited blogger and content creator of KiwiTheBeauty.com. As a digital influencer, she produces creative inspiration around beauty, lifestyle, media and travel leisure. Her life mantra is to make manifesting fun! When she’s not blogging, she is eating trendy hipster food, carrying crystals, making it rain at her local farmer's market and binge brunching.
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First of all your pics are so gorgeous and they really give a sense of the dining experience! I love that it was so interactive – all those recipes look delish!
The ceviche you had as your third course looks absolutely amazing! Play del Carmen is one of my favorite destinations and I should make it a family trip out there again some day.
I haven’t had an international dining experience, but it sure does look fabulous! The food and drink and even the company make for one memorable experience!
The food all looks amazing. I love this idea, because as you said, it’s a very interactive way to be able to meet and talk to new people while you are traveling!
This looks like such a fun way to experience the local cuisine. I would absolutely love this because Mexican food is my favorite plus I’ve always wanted to learn how to make fun cocktails!
I’ve never done an international dinner party, but all the food and drinks look delicious. I’ve also never heard of the group Playa. I will keep that in mind for any future solo travels. It’s always nice to have a dinner buddy.
I have done one in Paris, France. While there was a bit of a language barrier,good food,good wine and goodtimea are universal! This looks like a blast!
I have always wanted to visit playa del carmen, your post helped me get closer to actually making the travel arrangements. The dinner party looked like such a great time!
I love Mexican street food! the sample plate you got to try looks so good! I also would love to try the herb salad. Playa del Carmen would be a Mexican restaurant I’d love to visit!
This kind of dining experience is actually fun and you can learn a lot about their food and cuisine. Plus the host is cute enough, another reason to attend 😀
I could see so much of happiness and joy in everyone’s faces. We too follow same, while travelling check all the places where yummy dishes are available and we try to squeeze in every place in between schedules. Those clicks on the food treat to eyes. Mexican herb salad looks yummy.
Wow, traveling solo must be so cool and difficult at times. It’s cool that you found this nice place to interact with other travelers and locals. The food looks awesome!
Wow this all looks so good! I also did not know that there was taco eating etiquette. I’ll have to keep that in mind next taco night. Thanks for sharing!
WOW! Now THAT’S a party! The food looks amazing, and good friends and drinks! Looks like a great time.
That is so awesome! You can’t beat a night of good friends and good food. That had to be sooo much fun.
I haven’t been to an international party. I love the vibe, the atmosphere, the Food!
First of all your pics are so gorgeous and they really give a sense of the dining experience! I love that it was so interactive – all those recipes look delish!
The ceviche you had as your third course looks absolutely amazing! Play del Carmen is one of my favorite destinations and I should make it a family trip out there again some day.
That sounds like an amazing food experience! I would love to eat the Tacos – yummy! What a fun time!
It looks like a fun time. I think making your own salsa is awesome too!
That looks like such a fun night! Not just the food and drinks, but the experience. I want to go!!
I haven’t had an international dining experience, but it sure does look fabulous! The food and drink and even the company make for one memorable experience!
What a fun evening dining out. It makes all the difference when your host is so sociable too.
This looks like a great dining experience! Being with friends made it even more memorable. Playa del Carmen sure looks like a fun place to be!
I haven’t done International dinner party but from this post. It looks very interesting to held one or two.
The food all looks amazing. I love this idea, because as you said, it’s a very interactive way to be able to meet and talk to new people while you are traveling!
Of course, I would solely focus on the FOOD! 😉 I mean, food is pretty much why I travel in general, LOL!
I have never been to anything like this, but wow, does it look fun! I think I need to find myself a dining experience.
no way !!! you can make your own salsa, thats amazing!! looks like you had an amazing food experience.
this looks amazing. i def need to get there and try.
This looks like it was such a fun experience. Being out to eat in a place you are visiting should definitely be memorable!
I would love to do this one day. I am all about food, so I’m always eager to try out new places.
Oh. My. Goodness. This is my kind of dinner. I love latin and mexican flavors so I would have enjoyed this!
This looks like such a fun way to experience the local cuisine. I would absolutely love this because Mexican food is my favorite plus I’ve always wanted to learn how to make fun cocktails!
OK now this looks like an amazing place to go for a meal, it really seems like a great experience!
I’ve never done an international dinner party, but all the food and drinks look delicious. I’ve also never heard of the group Playa. I will keep that in mind for any future solo travels. It’s always nice to have a dinner buddy.
I have not had a dining experience like this but it sounds cool. This was perfect for you. I love that you full embrace your experiences in Plya.
Everything looks so good! The tacos look like something I would really enjoy.
This looks like a great outing. The food looks amazing. My kind of party.
This looks like the best experience! I would love to do this next time I visit Playa Del Carmen with a bunch of friends!
I would be totally down for the dining experience. Yes please to all that fresh delicious food. Playa Del Carmen is really lovely.
I have done one in Paris, France. While there was a bit of a language barrier,good food,good wine and goodtimea are universal! This looks like a blast!
This sounds amazing! I love meeting other travelers. I only wish I had known about it when I was in Mexico a few years back
This looks like so much fun!!! I love going to restaurants that make the dinner more of entertainment than just food!
I have always wanted to visit playa del carmen, your post helped me get closer to actually making the travel arrangements. The dinner party looked like such a great time!
I love Mexican street food! the sample plate you got to try looks so good! I also would love to try the herb salad. Playa del Carmen would be a Mexican restaurant I’d love to visit!
Wow! It looks like a nice place to dine in. The food and the drinks looks really delicious and I am sure it will be a lot of fun to be in that place.
When I went to Europe in 2003, I had some great food with my traveling party. We ate some family-style meals and tasted delicious foods.
This kind of dining experience is actually fun and you can learn a lot about their food and cuisine. Plus the host is cute enough, another reason to attend 😀
Everything looks delicious. Interactive session sounds like fun! I would love to learn some tips from the chef.
It looks like you had such a fun time. The pictures look great.
The food looks marvelous. And the overall event looks pretty amazing. I think I would love to go to a place like this.
I could see so much of happiness and joy in everyone’s faces. We too follow same, while travelling check all the places where yummy dishes are available and we try to squeeze in every place in between schedules. Those clicks on the food treat to eyes. Mexican herb salad looks yummy.
Wow, I am a foodie and I am searching for new recipes to try. This will also be great for a group date. I will check it out soon.
These are all exquisite recipes to try. I will go ask my friends over this place in weekend.
Wow, traveling solo must be so cool and difficult at times. It’s cool that you found this nice place to interact with other travelers and locals. The food looks awesome!
It looks like a fun time. The food looks marvelous. And the overall event looks pretty amazing.The pictures look great.
Wow this all looks so good! I also did not know that there was taco eating etiquette. I’ll have to keep that in mind next taco night. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like a fun night. I have not done an international dinner party. This sounds like a good time.
It was helpful, thank you
It must have been an excitement to be at a meet and greet dining party. I have done similar but it was for a job interview.
This sounds like a really great experience! I’d definitely love to do this!
I would love to visit Play Del Carmen someday! Looks like a lot of fun activities to do when you visit!
Wow! Just in time when I am planning for our playa del carmen trip. Will definitely give this a try! Amazing.
Have heard a lot about Playa del Carmen and would love to be a part of an international party. Lovely pictures.
This looks like a ton of fun. Playa del Carmen. This dinner experience looks like way too much fun
The food looks amazing, and good friends and drinks! Looks like a great time.