Life, Cuernavaca style

My mom and I had a chill day today or as one would otherwise say here, we enjoyed life Cuernavaca style. She woke up eager to show me one of her new favourite spots for breakfast. It is like most restaurants here which means that all the beauty and splendour is behind an unassuming wall. In Spanish, the locals refer to Cuernavaca as having surprises behind the wall, and usually, the surprise is a pleasant one.

In the case of this morning's breakfast venue, we went to a restaurant called El Secreto, or The Secret. When we pulled up to the valet parking it seemed the secret was out, as there were no parking spots left on-site, but the valets were there to shuttle your car to a nearby lot.

My mom's secret did not disappoint. The lovely sunken garden welcomed us with the warm glow of the sun, and seating was spread out to keep guests socially distanced. Of course, I had to take pictures and capture the moment in perpetuity. We were given the choice to sit on a covered balcony overlooking a manicured lawn with Halloween decorations interspersed, or sit in a lower area covered by angled canvas awnings. We sat in the covered balcony area at a good vantage point of the rest of the restaurant.

Starting the day Cuernavaca style

Our breakfast balcony views

A Koi pond separates the seating area from the restaurant's garden

One great thing about Mexico is that tourism generates such a big chunk of their economy which usually translates to excellent service from the industry personnel. We always get service with a smile from waiters or hosts who go above and beyond to make sure you have an excellent experience. And as a bonus for the pocketbook, tips here are usually 10% for any meal service at already low prices. Our full breakfasts included coffee, fruit or juice with the main and were $10 each. At El Secreto, the staff was being watched over by the owner's late son who was being remembered on an altar devoted to him for the Day of the Dead.

The restaurant's altar for Dia de los Muertos

After breakfast my mom had the valets deliver her car and I was surprised that there was no additional cost other than a courtesy tip.

Since we didn't have any meals planned for the chill day we went to the swanky grocery store I posted about in a previous blog. Some of the food that is sold as takeaway was actually being cooked on-site within the aisles and much of the store was decked out for both the Day of the Dead and Christmas. Worlds collide, Cuernavaca style!

A massive paella being prepared and packaged in the grocery store

The bakery section offered pan de Muerto and sugar skulls

A cake offering for the Day of the Dead

White chocolate mummy bear

Corn tortillas being prepared on-site

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