Description: I’d seen signs to The Hidden Treasure Restaurant when we’d cycled to San Pedro (see separate review) and wondered if it was worth eating there, so when I heard a couple booking a table at our hotel’s reception I asked what it was like. The receptionist said it was a very good place to eat so after a discussion with our friends and his quick check on the internet, we decided to book for our last night. The restaurant arranges transfer from and to your hotel so there’s no fuss about getting taxis arranged.
As promised arrangements for transporting us to the restaurant were in place and at 7.15 we were sat in the "extended golf buggy" and heading off for Hidden Treasure. After a few minutes the buggy turned off the main road and we were rocked about as we headed down the bumpy, dusty track to the restaurant. I was just about wondering what "delights" were in store for us when the buggy pulled up outside of the restaurant. It looked great and I immediately felt reassured that my choice of restaurant on our last night in Central America was looking like a good one.
A waitress welcomed us as we clambered out of the buggy and led us across a large open courtyard to the open air restaurant. Hidden Treasure is probably best described as a large raised outside decking under a thatched roof. It actually looks much better than that description and the subtle lighting gives it a great feel. We were shown to our table and given the drinks menu to ponder upon whilst our waitress was "allocated" to us by the "meeter-greeter".
We went for a variety of pre-dinner drinks (a couple of us for the Rum Punch, white wine and a Martini Cocktail. Perhaps the most interesting was the Martini which was served in a conical shaped glass placed inside a glass bowl filled with ice. It made the rest of look on in envy as my wife lifted the Martini Glass for her first sip. Now that cocktail looked the business and its taste, I’m assured, measured up to expectations.
We decided to share a starter and chose Shrimps in a coconut batter with me opting for Blackened snapper with coconut rice and assorted vegetables. I know both contained coconut, but it is a strong theme in Belizean cookery and I am a fan of the taste. The starter looked superb and I can confirm that the taste buds were not disappointed. I guess that my only disappointment was that I’d opted to share. I certainly could have eaten a whole one.
My main course was also easy on the eye and soon I was tucking in to delightfully cooked fish with a hint of spice. The meal was freshly cooked and still a nice temperature when the plate reached the table. The delicate flavours of the fish were accompanied by some of the best coconut rice that I’ve ever eaten and even the vegetables, which were undercooked by my normal expectations, were a perfect accompaniment. Overall it was a "belter" of a main course and I fully enjoyed it with just enough room left for a pudding.
To complete the coconut trio I had coconut cream pie with a meringue topping. I’ve never had so many variants of coconut over the course of a meal before and I’d opted for the pie as a bit of a challenge. I was real pleased that I’d chosen it because although it looked a "substantial piece" when brought to the table it was light, fluffy and very tasty. Another hidden delight.
All the meals had looked really appetising and to confirm how we rated this place there was not a morsel left on any of our plates. There had been loads of "ooohs" and "aaahs" as our taste buds worked overtime dealing with the complexity of the taste of the meals. Hidden Treasure is indeed a treasure and I’d strongly recommend it as a place to eat for a meal out in San Pedro. It deserves not to be hidden and judging by the number of diners its location has been revealed.
If you’re going to try it make sure you reserve a table - I’d hate you to be disappointed.
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