Grand Velas Riviera Maya Pressroom

Chaká Restaurant Expands Offerings with New Yucatecan Regional Menu At Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya, Mexico (January 6, 2016)

Situated amid the tropical jungle foliage of mangroves and Salam, Chechen and Chaká trees, Chaká restaurant at the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya is now open for dinner with a new Yucatecan menu inspired by the region's traditional cuisine. The four defining pillars of Mayan cooking – Achiote (Annatto seed paste), citrus, habaneros (hot peppers) and smoke – are heavily used throughout the new menu which showcases the cuisine of the Mayan peninsula.

Standout appetizers include empanadas filled with pork, Oaxaca cheese and tomato sauce, served with avocado mousse, pickled onion, tomato, lettuce and sun-dried tomato dressing; dzotobichay tamales, a small variety made of masa and lard seasoned with achiote and habanero, filled with pumpkin seeds and wrapped in chaya leaf; and shredded beef tacos with a citrus infusion, topped with chicharrón (deep fried pork rind) on homemade guajillo chili tortillas. The authentic sopa de lima, a chicken soup spiked heavily with fragrant local lime juice, is also on the menu for tasting before the main event, which could consist of grouper marinated in achiote and spices served with plantains, fried onion, julienned vegetables and sweet-and-sour orange sauce or pollo pibil, chicken cooked underground with its juice, served with white rice, caramelized corn, refried beans, "chicharrón prensado" and coriander sprouts, among other options. Highlights of the dessert menu include yuca doughnuts with horchata ice cream and a pumpkin sweet topped with Xtabentún (an anise liqueur made in Mexico's Yucatán region) flavored cream.

Touting the reputation as the "foodie resort' of the Caribbean coast, Grand Velas Riviera Maya features eight varied restaurants, including Chaká and Cocina de Autor, the first all-inclusive restaurant in the world to hold the AAA Five Diamond Award, all included in the nightly rate.

Chaká is open for dinner from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Reservations are required. Outdoor terrace and indoor, air-conditioned seating is available.

For reservations or more information on Grand Velas Riviera Maya, call 1-888-407-4869 or visit http://rivieramaya.grandvelas.com/.

About Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Set on 206 acres of pristine jungle and mangroves and with the finest white sand beach in the Riviera Maya, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya is an ultra-luxury all-inclusive resort. Guests can choose among three separate ambiances in this Leading Hotel of the World, including adults only oceanfront, family friendly ocean view and a Zen-like tropical setting, embraced by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula's jungle. All 539 designer-like suites are exceptionally spacious, more than 1,100 square feet each, all with balconies, and some with private plunge pools. All feature fully stocked mini bars, plasma TVs, Wi-Fi, L'Occitane amenities, artisanal tequila, and Nespresso coffee machines. Bathrooms deserve special mention with walk in glass shower, deep soaking Jacuzzi tubs and marble interior. Eight restaurants, including five gourmet offerings, present a tour through Mexico, Europe and Asia. Cocina de Autor, at the hands of world celebrity chefs Bruno Oteiza, Mikel Alonso and Xavier Pérez Stone, holds the AAA Five Diamond Award, the first all-inclusive restaurant in the world to win this prestigious distinction. Grand Velas Spa, a Leading Spa of the World, is the region's largest spa sanctuary at more than 90,000 square feet, known for its authentic Mexican treatments, offerings from around world and signature seven-step water journey. Other features include 24-hour Personal Concierge; 24/7 in-suite service; three swimming pools; two fitness centers; water sports; innovative Kids Clubs and Teen's Club; Karaoke Bar; Koi Bar; Piano Bar, and business center. The resort offers more than 91,000 square feet of meeting space and outdoor areas for events inclusive of a 31,000-square-foot Convention Center, able to accommodate up to 2,700 guests. The resort has won numerous awards from Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA Today and several other magazines and major companies worldwide. This year, the resort entered TripAdvisor's Hall of Fame for obtaining the Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years in addition to the Signature Spa being awarded "Best Luxury Resort Spa-The Americas" at the World Luxury Spa Awards 2014. Grand Velas Riviera Maya was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, majority owner, founder and President of Velas Resorts, with his brother Juan Vela, Vice President of Velas Resorts.