After eating the usual nachos, tacos and fajitas in Playa, we were looking for a change of eating pace which we happily found at Titi Panini on Calle10th. This little gem offers fresh ingredients, attentive service at reasonable prices and much much more!After working for years at area resorts, the dynamic duo of Arturo and Mariana finally made their dreams come true by opening Titi Panini over seven months ago. As the name implies, paninis (grilled sandwiches), fresh homemade pasta and salad bar is on the menu here. And you can’t miss this inviting bistro/bar with its clean crisp white tables, green chairs and relaxing atmosphere away from bustling 5th avenue.
For dinner we had the delicious roast beef panini with caramelized onions, mozzarella and Dijon mustard served on perfectly grilled bread. Mariana whipped me up chicken linguine with fresh asparagus, sweet peppers, in a white wine cream sauce topped with fresh Parmesan (to die for!). The salad bar has fresh colourful choices of mixed lettuces, marinated tomatoes, assorted veggies along with a tasty potato salad. Side toppings include alfalfa and sunflower sprouts and sesame seeds along with Mariana’s homemade tasty vinaigrettes. All pastas and paninis include the salad bar with the average price being around 85 to 95 pesos; you just can’t be that price for all those fresh delicious ingredients.
Mariana, a trained chef from Xacto Mexico makes the pasta daily and has managed to incorporate her Mexican heritage into her menu, like her chili-mayo dip using the local xcatic chili. She also serves up a flavour bursting side-dish of roasted habanero peppers, onions, garlic and pickled jalapenos (yum!) Arturo, who hails from Mexico City proudly welcomes you into his restaurant like you’re family. He wears many hats from bartending, to serving food, chopping vegetables and whipping up his speciality must-try cocktails like Fresalbahaca – a frozen strawberry basil cocktail!
They use local suppliers such as Sapori di Casi for their Italian cheeses along with DAC Market for their fresh produce. Their Swiss friend Robert who lives in Playa lovingly bakes their baguettes daily using his “secret” seasonings that remain shrouded in mystery!
Mariana makes all the desserts and during our recent visit let our kids taste her homemade brownies; hands-down the BEST brownies they ever had. Tiramisu is another fan favourite along with Arturo’s famous “gelato ahogado” which is vanilla ice cream, topped with Kahlua then drowned (ahogado) in an Espresso shot!
Despite the long hours and stress of running their own business, Arturo and Marianna clearly love what they do and it shows in their food and in their attentive service. This is no “nameless” corporation running a restaurant, these are two people who are involved in every aspect of their business and trust me, love is in the details here. When we left Titi Panini both our tummies and memories were full thanks to the local goodness they are serving up!
Drop in today and you’ll see why Titi Panini Pasta & Salad Bar is earning rave reviews! Check them out on Facebook too! (Calle 10 N, between Ave. 10 & 15th, Playa del Carmen Mexico – Tel: 984 8031654)
“Playa Gal” (a very satisfied client working to promote Playa Beach Condos & Villas!) salgal@playabeachcondo.com (PS- Click on the feed and visit my ongoing blogs!)