Alux: Restaurant in a Cave

November 17, 2014

I have a thing for caves. Forget for a minute that ebola is suspected to originate from one (Kenya’s Kitum Cave), there are some truly lovely cave places in the world that are on my bucket list: the city in Spain under a rock, the Italian hotel built out of a cave, the Philippines’ underground river in Palawan (crossed off the list and is well worth the visit.)

 

So when the hotel concierge in Playa del Carmen suggested dining at Alux (pronounce a’looch), I jumped at the opportunity to go. It was a local haunt, far from the lights and buzz of touristy PDC, and required a cab ride into the suburbs of PDC.

 

A wide set of luminary-lined stairs greets the visitor, and you walk down a romantically lit corridor into a small dining area, where the menu of contemporary cuisine tempts your palate. The food was satisfying though I got the feeling one doesn’t come here for the tasty yum-yums alone.

 

“I take my wife there for special occasions,” our concierge had said.

 

After dinner, my friend Cece and I walked around the cavern… the chamber next to the dining room boasted a bar with a stage, and tucked away around the bend were lounge areas furnished with modern stools and alcoves for private parties.

 

When travelling, I often ask the locals where they like to go and they never disappoint. It’s not a bad thing to consult your handy travel guides, but just think: hundreds (okay, maybe thousands) of other tourists like yourself are looking at the same guide and following its recommendation. But sometimes, talking to the natives will lead you to gems like this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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