La Palmilla Restaurant at Victoria House

Throughout the years Victoria House has established itself as a prestigious resort on the island and its restaurant La Palmilla has lived up to the resorts prestige garnering much international attention and awards.
“A Five-Star Elegance Restaurant with Flip Flop Comfort”
“The Classiest Place on a Casual Island”
“A Restaurant with a Classy and Romantic Atmosphere”

These are some of the reviews we found online that give praise to La Palmilla Restaurant that is renowned to be one of the best in the region. Ironically, we see it as a casual dining experience in a classy restaurant. We find it best to say that the food is definitely first rate, the décor is simple, but classy and comfortably sophisticated; and the staff is superb and nothing short of exceptional.

Relaxed and informal yet as romantic as you would desire, you can either dine in the candle-lit/air-conditioned restaurant or on the outside deck that has a splendid view of the Caribbean Sea during the day and the romantic setting of a starry sky at night.

Our dining experience at Victoria House was second to none, as we started off with one of a kind appetizers with the best drinks served to us at the ever popular Admiral Nelson’s Beach Bar, located at the north end of the resort. Sitting out on the veranda of the palapa roof beach bar, we were served some delicious Coconut Mint Mojitos, Mango Mojitos, Apple martini’s and everyone’s favorite – Miami Vice (Half piña colada and half strawberry daiquiri)! Our view on the horizon was the lit up skyline of San Pedro Town in the distance.

Appetizers or should I say “appe-TEASERS” were all mouth watering! Pan Fired Scallops and tempura shrimp were delicious but the ones on top of the list and had everyone wanting more were the Tempura Artichokes and a delicious lime marinated fresh conch chunks served with fresh vegetables and slices of avocados and aioli sauce, mmmm…GOOOD!!!!. Sounds delicious right? Well if you think that was good, we were more than anxious to head on over to the dining room at La Palmilla restaurant for more great food!

Standing out amongst the dishes were the Cashew Crusted Grouper (gently grilled and served with sautéed shrimp in a green chili butter with roasted corn and garlic mashed potatoes) and the 14 oz Angus New York Steak (char-grilled served with cauliflower puree, sautéed julienne vegetables and blue cheese butter). The whole snapper hand battered in red curry and the rustic baked chicken were exceptional too!

Chef Jose Luis Ortega's unique style of cuisine is based on American Bistro with a heavy emphasis on chili peppers, mixed with Mayan Bistro Cuisine bringing in a touch of Old Mexico and New World influences to the outstanding fare at Victoria House. The dishes prepared by Chef Jose Luis are definitely second to none!

Dessert anyone? Well of course, after delicious appetizers, and scrumptious main course we were dying for a sweet treat, and boy was it a treat! The Caye Lime Brulee (graham cracker tartlet with pineapple-guava coulis) and the delicious and traditional Mexican crème caramel – Flan, were a must. And for those of you choco-holics – you MUST ask for the signature dessert, The Molten Chocolate, flourless chocolate filled with melted chocolate served with ice cream and sliced bananas.

We were full to our heart’s content! A great dinner, great drinks and great service! What more could we have asked for? Breakfast, that’s what! Breakfast al fresco by the poolside enjoying the sunlight and Caribbean breeze over some coffee and fresh orange juice was what we enjoyed the following morning.

Breakfast included a Caribbean breakfast, huevos a la Mexicana and a hearty breakfast burrito. Other items on the menu include huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, Island eggs Benedict and pastry basket to name a few.

The food at La Palmilla is great and the service is exceptional. No wonder it has garnered the honor of being one of the top restaurants in the region! Dining at Victoria House can be as romantic or as casual as you desire; you are bound to be well catered to as you enjoy the cuisine of fresh local ingredients and seafood. The staff of Ambergris Today highly recommends La Palmilla Restaurant at Victoria House!

photo credits: Jose Luis Zapata Photography