Peter M
Google
On my first day in Ambergris Caye, I woke up pretty early and was looking for a place for breakfast. Estel’s Dine by the Sea, was opening at 6 am. The Mayan Gods had listened to my prayer. I ended up there around 7 am, to be in the midst of a spectacular location. Smack on the beach, excellent seating, with commanding views of the Caribbean Sea and the world’s second largest barrier reef. There was a constant sea breeze, and an intoxicating fragrance of the environment. The restaurant is in downtown San Pedro, still family owned. The beautiful, elegant, charming and eponymous Estel was on hand. It was a pleasure to meet and also have conversation, with both her and her handsome son, who helps run the restaurant. Lovely people.
I don’t know about you, but when I travel to any destination, when it is meal time, it has to be local. That is why I came here and that is what I ordered. Estel’s Special Mayan Eggs (Scrambled eggs, grilled onions, tomatoes, peppers, and cilantro served with a choice of meat (for me it was shrimp), beans and Fry Jacks. There are many good things to say about my breakfast plate. Let me start in reverse order. In Belize, everyone desires Fry Jacks, but how Estel’s prepares them are something that you will always remember. A fluffy, soft, fresh and deep fried dough concoction that could have been eaten just on its own, for breakfast. Forget everything else. I must confess, that the texture, flavor and chew of Fry Jacks are very similar, if not identical to the circular Indian Fluffy deep fried bread, called Bhatura. It is also very close in taste to its Indian cousin, the deep fried but smaller circular and puffy bread, called the Poori.
While the Jacks are the crown jewel in these settings, the rest of the ingredients on the dish, should not be forgotten because they were superbly prepared. Soft and delicious scrambled eggs and the beans. Really liked the accompaniment of Jam too. And what about the music and the service? All my (and your) favorite oldie tunes played in beautiful harmony. Fantastic. Service was friendly, attentive and exceptional. Thank you, Estel, for your warm hospitality and an unforgettable first morning, in Ambergris Caye.