Lady’s Lunch at Hector’s

In the kitchen with Héctor - MazatlanLife

Today we went upscale for our lady’s lunch.  I suggest you Google the above link for very good information about this restaurant. 

Our dependable Auriga driver turned up right on time as usual but today we were too many (13) for one truck so he called for backup.

They lead and we follow.

We are downtown and there is some confusion as to where the entrance to the restaurant actually is. 

Everyone is on the other side of the street.

Okay, how about here.  Angie goes in and Eddie follows.

Well…we’ve gone through the bakery and now we go out the other side and…

rou…and around the corner and into the actual Hector’s Restaurant.  Here you see Ruth informing the waiter that we would like separate checks which he initially objected to as he said it would be too difficult for the kitchen.  Ruth said “ tough..that’s they way it is and just put all the orders on one sheet for the kitchen.”  It’s possible he was new as the very articulate bilingual waitress who explained the menu and took our orders had no problem with it. 

Drinks were served and those who ordered appetizers received them in short order.   This is the octopus carpaccio that Ruth and Eddie ordered.  I have had beef carpaccio and didn’t like it but this was quite tasty for raw octopus!

Geri, Val(ahead) Sandi, Marilyn, Bets and Pam who is joining us for the first time.

We are seated at the table behind them.  The light was difficult for pictures so some people are a bit washed out.

Marion, Nancy, Maureen eating, Pat, Ruth slightly hidden, Angie and Eddie.

I think Val has a chicken sandwich on ciabatta.

This is a beautiful risotto that was offered on the menu board.

Geri’s grilled tuna on a bed of greens and grilled vegetables.

Lunch is served. 

Angie’s chicken salad.  She said there was loads of chicken on it.

There was risotto with lamb, spagetti with shrimp and rack of lamb.  We had to have the waitress explain it all to us but in the end any choice would have been good.

The very lovely and well stocked bar.

This is my tuna on greens with grilled vegetables.  Val and Geri wanted to bet on what I’d order but they both knew what it would be.  I hav beeen wanting to have fresh grilled tuna since we arrived in Mazatlan and here it is.  Absolutely delicious.

This is Marion’s hamburger ordered medium.  Papas on the side and an egg on top.  Marion said the egg on top is common in South America.  Marion and her husband Fred are very well travelled.  One of Fred’s exploits was bungee jumping off the highest bridge in New Zealand and he didn’t have to pay because he was over 65!  Now that just makes be feel feeble!!!

Spagetti frutti di mare or spagetti with shrimp.

            

Okay Marion….you better get to it!

Well we weren’t full enough so a few desserts were ordered.  I think this one was called chocolomania!  More than one was ordered and there were moans of delight!

Maureen’s cheesecake.  Good but more cakey than cheesey.   There are many styles of cheesecake. 

This is my apple tart.  It was small and very tasty.  A crunchy shortbread like shell with sliced apples and ice cream on top.  I ate the whole thing!

This is Hector who is the chef and owner of this wonderful restaurant.  He has lived in Mazatlan since he was five and is a fountain of knowledge about food and all that goes into it.  He explained that his brother decided to become a farmer and he decided to become a chef which has worked out very well as his brother supplies the restaurant with fresh produce.  He can order what he needs and his brother grows what Hector wants.  A good relationship. 

Hector also discussed the politics of food….Monsanto etc. and that people will pay a large amount for a new cell phone but gripe about the cost of good organic vegetables.  Priorities.  I said that it was so easy to grow produce in Mazatlan and that I hadn’t met a vegetable that I didn’t like.  He remarked that in the summer nothing grows here as it is too hot and humid and everything just burns.  He said anyone who can leave the area in summer does but those that don’t adapt much the same way we do at home to the cold.  We obviously come to Mazatlan at the right time of the year.  He said he is busy in the summer with locals and the many gringos who have made Mazatlan their permanent homes.  Interesting man.

The artwork on the walls was very Picasso like. 

I liked this one.

Everyone went their separate ways after lunch and Val and I along with Nancy and Angie walked down to the malecon to catch a bus.  When I came out of the restaurant and was totally surrounded by buildings I had no landmarks (or a compass) to direct me.  Val asked Marion which way and off we went.  

I can’t help but snap pictures of the many beautiful buildings as we walk.  Some have been renovated and some are falling down.

Beautiful red blooms on this tree.

                 

I peeked into this lovely courtyard and took a picture.

                  

Newly renovated in 2001 said the plaque.

Down on the malecon and ready to catch the bus.  Another building being renovated. 

Val and I got off in the Golden Zone at El Delfin where I had left some jewellry to be repaired and resized two weeks ago. 

Val was greeted with a warm hug by Eunice the manager as she has bought items here before. 

I had my wedding band resized and repaired as it had been cut off my finger over 20 years ago when it got too small.  I’d tried to get it repaired at home but they said they couldn’t because it had a beaded edge.  I thought that might be the case here but this is Mexico and anything is possible!  It was beautifully repaired and resized and looks like new.  A large new pearl was replaced in a ring that my grandmother had given me was also resized, an opal ring resized and an old pearl screw type earring made into a post for a pierced ear and the total cost was….1850 pesos or about $112 dollars Canadian.  I had some broken gold chains and received a 250 peso discount so about $100 total.  All professionally done.   A bargain in my mind.

So all in all a really good day.  A delicious meal with friends and a successful jewellry repair.  The only downside was the freezing cold wind on the journey home.  Cold, grey and windy right now.