When you walk around Centro Zihuatanejo you are surrounded by numerous open-air restaurants. Many have some type of music playing in the background, staged live entertainment, or a strolling musical group. But when you walk down Pedro Ascencio you come across a brightly lit, but extremely intimate and elegant, glass-enclosed storefront with wine bottles racked from the floor to ceiling and heavy wooden tables and chairs inside. If you are lucky to walk by on the right night you might fall in love with opera.
You have just found your new favorite restaurant, La Cava de Mark roughly translated as Marco's Cellar. Marco Rodriguez brings his love and knowledge of great wines at all price points, ghost tequilas, and wonderful food into an intimate dining experience where everyone is friends by the end of the night. The best part it all happens in air conditioning. 🥰
First, let's talk about the food. IT IS AMAZING!!!! I love rack of lamb. But for some reason, I only eat it when I am in Zihuatanejo, which is often. Marco has perfectly seasoned and grilled lamb that falls off the bone perfectly paired with a mustard sauce or mint jelly. I prefer the mint jelly, because who doesn't love robustly flavored jelly.
Mahi Mahi is so great they named it twice! Fresh Mahi Mahi from the Pacific Ocean with grilled shrimp and a creamy dill sauce. Everyone in our group loves Mahi and this creamy dill sauce takes this tasty fish to the next level. The menu consists of only nine entrees, but all are perfected and delicious. Our group has tried all the menu items and there is no wrong choice at La Cava de Mark.
Now for the cellar of La Cava de Mark. The wine selection is wonderful and pairs perfectly at all price points with the menu. I love a full-bodied red wine with everything, even fish. But my absolute favorite drink is Moet Imperial Nectar and Marco has it on the menu. No special request, it is in stock and chilled ready to enjoy.
The selection of "ghost" tequilas that Marco has acquired over the years is a real treat. A "ghost" drink is one of those mythical drinks that you read about in Robb Report but can never find in your local store. This is not tequila for shots, it is a sipping drink, and it is divine! And the bottles are gorgeous too and displayed beautifully through La Cava de Mark.
Remember in the beginning I mentioned you might fall in love with opera. Marco has a gift for finding talent for entertainment. In his previous restaurant venture, he had acrobats suspended from the ceiling overhead during a dia de Los Muertos celebration. Marco's lastest great find is Javier Gracia. Javier is a true soprano opera singer and he is amazing. When I first saw him perform during a Neew Years Eve celebration his show was all Las Vegas and flash.
However, Javier recently performed at my wedding in Villa Encantada. After most the guest had departed Marco walked up to me and asked me if I like oprera. I said of course, why? He looked at Javier and then he became singing Itltian opera acapella! Here is a little clip of his talent. Everyone thought I was a little crazy when I requested Javier sing opera at La Cava de Mark. Enjoy.
La Cava de Mark
40890, Pedro Ascencio 16, Centro, 40890 Zihuatanejo, Gro., Mexico