 La Divina Cruda Amy Bowles |
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La Divina Cruda |
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PLAYA DEL CARMEN - I recently read an article about Playa in which the writer lamented that the local ambiance has been irrevocably altered, and even "white-washed", by tourism. I respectfully disagree, and La Divina Cruda is my case in point. Subtle and unassuming, this cantina has quickly become a meeting place for locals. Over the past several years the location, on the Quinta, between 30th and 32nd, has been home to several bars that never quite seemed to take off, so, it's impressive to walk by and see big crowds. Curious about the transformation, I visited and found another local gem. The owner, "Jose", is actually Joseph because he's French, but his Spanish sounds perfectly Mexican to me. It might be because his business partners are from Guadalajara or because his girlfriend and their dog, Tequila, are both from Mexico, but they're all multi-lingual. After visiting here five years ago on vacation, like many Playense, Jose promptly relocated, and now they've created what most people only dream about. The bar itself is pure cantina. They've covered the walls and tables with old comic strips and retro graphics, and the chairs are painted bright red and green. There's excellent music, always at a reasonable volume, so you can sit, talk, and people watch. They serve beer and basic cocktails, but they do it with a warmth and ease that reminds me why so many tourists want to live here. There's a construction site directly across from La Divina Cruda, and the developers are building a huge condo complex with commercial spaces. For some, the development that's moving north along the Quinta can feel imposing. Luckily we're also getting new businesses, with a style and diversity that's unique to Playa. With weekly music events, and lots of local clientele, I'm hoping La Divina Cruda will stay put and become another community spot where people can post up and wind down. Visit La Divina Cruda on Facebook: link text |
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Comments I totally agree Amy! and it's good to here someone else say it! whoever wants typical, can find it in Playa, you just have to go to the right places! ;-) Leave a comment |
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Hey Amy, Thanks for your great review. We look forward to seeing you again at LA DIVINA CRUDA ; )