La Casa de la Playa, the two-year-old exclusive and award-winning luxury boutique hotel by Grupo Xcaret, has opened its signature restaurant Estero to the general public.
Situated on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, La Casa de la Playa features 63 oceanfront suites in an intimate setting. Estero, created by renowned chef Virgilio Martínez, now welcomes hotel guests and visitors to the region, offering a distinctive blend of Mexican and Peruvian cuisine.
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At Estero, Chef Martínez presents a modern gastronomic concept that fuses the flavors of Mexico and Peru while highlighting native Peruvian ingredients with contemporary techniques. Drawing inspiration from the Caribbean coastline, the Amazon rainforest and the Andes, the menu reflects respect for culinary traditions combined with a global outlook. The tasting menu pairs inventive ingredients—shrimp with corn, mussels with sargassum, pumpkin with warming spices, tuna with insect caviar, octopus with agave, and mango with Andean mint—culminating in desserts that showcase cacao and honey.
“We are excited to offer chef Virgilio Martínez’s culinary creations at Estero for the first time to non-guests of La Casa de la Playa,” said Francisco Gutiérrez, chief officer, Xcaret Hotels. “We believe food enthusiasts from around the world will be impressed by the flavor combinations and presentations at Estero, and we are proud to remain one of Mexico’s culinary epicenters.”
Virgilio Martínez, founder and chef of Central in Lima, is celebrated for showcasing Peru’s biodiversity through a sensorial dining experience that spans altitudes and ecosystems, from below sea level to high Andean terrain. His distinctive approach and aesthetic earned him a place among the world’s top chefs, and Central has been recognized among the world’s best restaurants.
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In 2013 Martínez co-founded Mater Iniciativa, a research and interpretation center guided by the motto “there is more outside,” reflecting a commitment to exploration and a purpose that extends beyond gastronomy. In 2018 he opened Mil, an experimental gastronomic project that integrates people, art, culture and nature at high altitude in the Andes.
“I am honored to be more connected with the fascinating country that is Mexico,” said Martínez, now culinary director at Estero. “Latin American gastronomy is experiencing a remarkable moment; these connections and exchanges help us value and preserve our identities.” Estero is open for dinner from 6–11 p.m. Non-guests may make reservations through the restaurant’s reservation system.
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Estero complements La Casa de la Playa’s culinary lineup, which includes celebrity chef Martha Ortiz’s Tuch de Luna, a restaurant that combines art, science and feminine-driven cuisine. The hotel also features Lumbre and Centli, by brothers Daniel and Patricio Rivera-Rio, presenting contemporary flavors from northern and southern Mexico.
Designed by architect David Quintana with an eco-integrated vision, La Casa de la Playa uses natural elements to preserve the surrounding environment. The property showcases modern design, elegant décor and dramatic common spaces embraced by lush greenery. Each suite exceeds 1,000 square feet and offers private pools, ocean views and attentive luxury service. Additional amenities include an award-winning spa, chef-driven dining, an ocean-view library, a mezcal bar and a chocolatería, all contributing to a refined Mexican luxury hospitality experience.