#restaurant #visited ## Background Run by Chef Vidal Elias Murillo and his partner Alberto Nacif Figueroa, Micaela Mar & Leña is a seafood and wood-fired kitchen with an oyster bar located on the Calle 47 Gastronomic Corridor in [[Mérida]] Centro. The idea came about when Vidal purchased an antique cookbook in Mexico City, which ended up being a handwritten journal by a woman named Micaela – the daughter of a slave who escaped from New Orleans to Mexico in the 1800s. Micaela ended up in Comal de Pineda in southern Mexico working as a cook and nanny for a wealthy household, and eventually the household's daughter teaches her to read and write and encourages her to write about her life. In the journal, Micaela writes: > *Mi niña me enseño a escribir, y me pidió cuente mi vida como de describir el olor al mar? La textura de la leña del fuego? Como hablar de mi pasión sin la cocina? He de escribir mis recetas, he de escribir mis memorias, memorias de una cocina del mar y leña.* > > *Comal de Pineda. Octubre 2 del año de nuestro señor de 1897.* > *My little girl taught me how to write, and asked me to tell my life story. How to describe the smell of the sea? The texture of firewood? How can I write about my passion without writing about the kitchen? I should write my recipes, my memories, memories of a seafood and wood-fired kitchen.* > > *\[Town of\] Comal de Pineda. October 2, of the year of our heavenly father 1897.* Vidal created a menu inspired by Veracruz, where Micaela was born, and by Cajun food in honor of Micaela's father. Micaela features prominently in the restaurant's brand, speaking directly to the restaurant guest on the menu and in online and email communications. ## Review #### December 6, 2024 See [[#Photos]] below. Standouts were both cocktails (the *Angustina* and the *Maura*), *Tostada de esquite con pulpo*, and the *Coliflor a las brasas*. The camarones and the *tamal de pato* were both good as well, though the camarones were slightly salty. The mini piñata-shaped dessert for a birthday in our party was a nice touch. ## Awards * Mejor del Año, [Guía México Gastronómico 2024](https://24horasyucatan.mx/2024/01/25/micaela-mar-lena-fue-reconocido-como-mejor-restaurante-del-ano/) * Mejor Servicio de Gastronomia, [MexBest 2024](https://noticiasmerida.com.mx/mexbest-entrega-premio-por-mejor-servicio-a-restaurante-de-yucatan/#:~:text=El%20restaurante%20Micaela%20Mar%20y,destinos%20de%20la%20Rep%C3%BAblica%20Mexicana.) * Mejor Restaurante de Cocina Mexicana, [Premio José Inés Loredo 2022](https://laviejaguardia.com.mx/noticias/micaela-mar-y-lena-restaurante-yucateco-ganador-del-jose-ines-loredo-a-la-cocina-mexicana) ## Photos  *(December 6, 2024) Wall of Micaela Mar & Leña, with reproduction of Micaela's note in her handwritten cookbook.* <small><a href="Photography/Canon/EOS R3.md" class="internal-link">Canon EOS R3</a>, <a href="Photography/Canon/RF28-70mm f2 L USM.md" class="internal-link">RF28-70mm f2 L USM</a> @ 65mm, f/4.5, 1/80s</small>  *(December 6, 2024) Angustina cocktail at Micaela Mar & Leña: Mezcal angustifolia joven, naranja agria local, jarabe de semilla de cilantro y pimienta gorda.* <small><a href="Photography/Canon/EOS R3.md" class="internal-link">Canon EOS R3</a>, <a href="Photography/Canon/RF28-70mm f2 L USM.md" class="internal-link">RF28-70mm f2 L USM</a> @ 52mm, f/2.8, 1/80s</small>  *(December 6, 2024) Maura cocktail at Micaela Mar & Leña: Mezcal angustifolia joven, licor de cítricos de Oxcutzcab, naranja con chile morita y serrano, jarabe de romero.* <small><a href="Photography/Canon/EOS R3.md" class="internal-link">Canon EOS R3</a>, <a href="Photography/Canon/RF28-70mm f2 L USM.md" class="internal-link">RF28-70mm f2 L USM</a> @ 54mm, f/2.8, 1/80s</small>  *(December 6, 2024) Shrimp soup amuse-bouche at Micaela Mar & Leña.* <small><a href="Photography/Canon/EOS R3.md" class="internal-link">Canon EOS R3</a>, <a href="Photography/Canon/RF28-70mm f2 L USM.md" class="internal-link">RF28-70mm f2 L USM</a> @ 51mm, f/4, 1/125s</small>  *(December 6, 2024) Texcalli de betabel at Micaela Mar & Leña: Betabel en escabeche cubierto con cremoso de epazote y chipotle, terminado con láminas de betabel horneado y puré de limón.* <small><a href="Photography/Canon/EOS R3.md" class="internal-link">Canon EOS R3</a>, <a href="Photography/Canon/RF28-70mm f2 L USM.md" class="internal-link">RF28-70mm f2 L USM</a> @ 62mm, f/3.2, 1/80s</small>  *(December 6, 2024) Tostada de esquite con pulpo at Micaela Mar & Leña.* <small><a href="Photography/Canon/EOS R3.md" class="internal-link">Canon EOS R3</a>, <a href="Photography/Canon/RF28-70mm f2 L USM.md" class="internal-link">RF28-70mm f2 L USM</a> @ 56mm, f/5, 1/80s</small>  *(December 6, 2024) Coliflor a las brasas at Micaela Mar & Leña: Coliflor asada servida con tahini y un terso de zanahoria rostizada.* <small><a href="Photography/Canon/EOS R3.md" class="internal-link">Canon EOS R3</a>, <a href="Photography/Canon/RF28-70mm f2 L USM.md" class="internal-link">RF28-70mm f2 L USM</a> @ 55mm, f/4, 1/60s</small>  *(December 6, 2024) Camarones a la parrilla at Micaela Mar & Leña: 250 g marinados en una salsa de ajo y guajillo, incluye una guarnición.* <small><a href="Photography/Canon/EOS R3.md" class="internal-link">Canon EOS R3</a>, <a href="Photography/Canon/RF28-70mm f2 L USM.md" class="internal-link">RF28-70mm f2 L USM</a> @ 54mm, f/3.2, 1/60s</small>  *(December 6, 2024) Tamal de pato con mole negro at Micaela Mar & Leña: Tamalito de elote tierno, pato confitado y champiñones salteados.* <small><a href="Photography/Canon/EOS R3.md" class="internal-link">Canon EOS R3</a>, <a href="Photography/Canon/RF28-70mm f2 L USM.md" class="internal-link">RF28-70mm f2 L USM</a> @ 56mm, f/3.2, 1/60s</small>  *(December 6, 2024) After-meal treat at Micaela Mar & Leña.* <small><a href="Photography/Canon/EOS R3.md" class="internal-link">Canon EOS R3</a>, <a href="Photography/Canon/RF28-70mm f2 L USM.md" class="internal-link">RF28-70mm f2 L USM</a> @ 70mm, f/4, 1/100s</small>  *(December 6, 2024) Piñata-shaped cake and birthday card at Micaela Mar & Leña.* <small><a href="Photography/Canon/EOS R3.md" class="internal-link">Canon EOS R3</a>, <a href="Photography/Canon/RF28-70mm f2 L USM.md" class="internal-link">RF28-70mm f2 L USM</a> @ 50mm, f/3.5, 1/100s</small>