Journeying to coastal villages and secluded towns can make anyone hungry for a meal that is unique and adventurous. In Tulum, the perfect place for that lies on a jungle road and goes by the name Hartwood. A true off-the-grid experience, Hartwood has become one of the most desired restaurants in Mexico for authenticity, both in taste and atmosphere.
After a visit to Tulum in 2009, husband and wife, Eric Werner and Maya Henry decided to up and leave their New York lives. Werner, leaving his job as a Brooklyn chef and Henry leaving her job managing hotel events, set out to establish an authentic restaurant on the jungle side of Tulum Beach Road. So authentic that its surrounding seemingly blend in with it. The restaurant is truly a secluded jewel; it has its own generator to power lights for the cooks, mostly no roof, candles to light the ‘dining room,’ a dozen coolers for refrigeration and ice delivered four times a day. Its safe to say this restaurant provides more than just a great meal.
Werner, who is adept at using wood fires from his previous jobs, brought his skills to Tulum. Hartwood uses open fires within handmade wood burning ovens and grills to prepare its food. The produce is harvested from Milpas, or Mayan farms and all fish is spear caught in the Caribbean and the Lagoons of the Boca Paila. All ingredients are from Mundo Maya, making this the most authentic experience yet. It probably goes without saying that its menu changes daily based on each day’s harvest.
Find Hartwood and you will try the Yucatán.
For more information, visit their website: www.hartwoodtulum.com
(Photoof Yucatan Jungle: Gentl & Hyers)