MANIX Restaurant Review

Last night, Thursday, 10 of us from our Bi Monthly Dinner group ate at Manix restaurant. The group had a variety of drinks. After a while they took our orders. Various people ordered either the salad or vichysoisse soup to start. The soup was warm. The salad had a choice of Italian or Blue Cheese dressing.

Various people ordered Filet Mignon, Osso Bucco (only 2 left), Veal Marsala, Chicken Florentine and Fried Shrimp. The Fried Shrimp had a very light batter, totally non greasy and fresh. There was at least 8 good sized shrimp. Everyone liked ther meals.

We highly recommend Manix for consistency and will always return.

Well, thanks for the review. That will leave us avoiding Manix, as we have for many years. Vichyssoise is served cold, as is gazpacho.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vichyssoise-102030

Perhaps John already knew that which is why he mentioned that it was warm.

I know Hector, one of the owners, would welcome input from Patrons....Please give him the opportunity to correct problems He is a nice guy, and was previously at Vista del Lago

raqueteer wrote:Well, thanks for the review. That will leave us avoiding Manix, as we have for many years. Vichyssoise is served cold, as is gazpacho.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vichyssoise-102030

So you're going to avoid Manix, THE MOST consistent restaurant in Ajijic because of that. You could have the salad instead. How ridiculous!!! Your loss. They won't miss your business.

You can patronize some of the many other really lousy restaurants of which there are more of than good restaurants.

johninajijic wrote:

raqueteer wrote:Well, thanks for the review. That will leave us avoiding Manix, as we have for many years. Vichyssoise is served cold, as is gazpacho.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vichyssoise-102030

So you're going to avoid Manix, THE MOST consistent restaurant in Ajijic because of that. You could have the salad instead. How ridiculous!!! Your loss. They won't miss your business.

You can patronize some of the many other really lousy restaurants of which there are more of than good restaurants.

I agree, there are a lot of lousy restaurants.
Here's my viewpoint FWIW. If I want a good steak, there are no end of places, and some actually have some ambience, where I can get one. Bruno and Vicki both are very consistent in their quality.
Shrimp, no beating Rikki's, tempura.
Veal Marsala, O.K. was that any good?
Chicken florentine, how about that, was it worth writing home about?
On to the vichyssoise, in my opinion, YMMV, this should be served cold. The effect of that heavy dose of cream is lost if it's warm. If you had said, they have a wonderful vichysoisse, complete with a nice lashing of extra cream and a sprinkling of chives, then I might have persuaded myself to overlook the decor, which IMO is pretty dismal.

BTW I am more than jaded about restaurants here, so my list has only gotten smaller over the years. It has to be really good, have a nice atmosphere, have some unique items on the menu, and provide good service before I'll even go out my door.

I have to agree about the decor in most restaurants here or lack there of, like Ricki's plastic tables and chairs, but who cares his Shrimp Tempura is the best I've had ANYWHERE. Manix took a real close second with the Fried Shrimp the other night.

Other restaurants lacking decor: Tabarka, Rincon de Giovanni, Panino, Angelicas Bistro, Tango, Tony's, ect, yet some have delicious meals properly prepared.

Ambience and decor is important in my book but the food is THE most important followed by excellent but unobtrusive service.

Haven't tried all that lakeside has to offer yet but nothing is getting all four stars at the moment. Since we like small, intimate, QUIET garden settings does anyone have any suggestions? Love Gossips but hate the noisy location...it's enough to give you indigestion.

Ferret, best for service, a beautiful view, and good menu selections is Vita Bella.

Never been to Vita Bella. Where is it, por favor?

And I'll second Gringal's question...and what time does it open please?

raqueteer wrote: Ferret, best for service, a beautiful view, and good menu selections is Vita Bella.

One persons opinion that might be biased because of where he lives. I've seen many mixed reviews on Vita Bella. I wouldn't drive to SJC when we have better in Ajijic without views.

raqueteer - What's your opinion of CHAC LAN since they have a new Chef. I've seen good reviews.

Vita Bella is on the road heading towards Chac Lan. First enter the Raquet Club, then ask at the guard house. I'm pretty sure it's the third street up then turn right, Both Chac Lan and Vita Bella have their own guard house as well. Vita Bella is first on the right. In fact the headwaiter from the Nueva Posada is now there. Service is great.

I agree it is tempting to go to a closer restaurant, however we really do like this one. I haven't found anything better in Ajijc, taking all things into consideration. JMO.

Chac Lan lost us a couple of chefs ago, we could only recommend it for drinks, since the restaurant is quite wonderful from an appearance point of view, and the views are incredible. Guess I'd need some convincing.


Oop's, not sure about opening time, I'll check later this week.