San Marcos Restaurants: Breakfast at Las Mananitas

Surrounding by various hues of green and yellow foliage dotted with blossoms, the terrace offers an enticing glimpse of San Pedro Volcano from the tables up front.

Most of the ingredients at Las Mananitas are organically grown on the grounds, making it as healthy a place to eat as it is relaxing.

Breakfast in a Skillet

For breakfast one day in September, I had the Shakashuka, an Israeli dish consisting of eggs sunny side up, bathed in a mildly spicy tomato-based sauce and served in a wooden-covered skillet with home-made bread.

Once again my menu-reading skills did not fail me, for this was one of the best and most unusual breakfasts I've had at Lake Atitlan. Flavor, freshness and presentation were all top shelf.

Another selection I'll return for is the Las Mananitas Special Omelet. This is made with mozzarella cheese or tofu, with tomatoes, carrot and onions, accompanied by bread and a small Arabic salad.

Labane is a home-made cream cheese in olive oil, basil and sesame seeds, served with whole wheat bread. This makes a great light lunch as well as breakfast.

Vegetarian Fare

Vegetarians will go for the fruit plates, granola, or crepes, with a variety of inexpensive side orders that enable you to build your own crepes or pancakes or crepes. Meat-eaters will like the cheese omelet with smoked ham or bacon.

Sandwiches Too

On whole wheat bread with a small Arabic salad and dipping sauce, sandwiches include BLT, tofu and pesto, and smoked ham and cheese.

New lunch specials were introduced in May, 2009. The Mananitas Salad has several types of organically grown greens, fennel, cranberries and other unusual items. They also have prosciutto sandiches and other fresh lunch entrees.

I'll return to Las Mananitas in high season to cover the expanded menu. Maybe sooner for the house omelet. Until then, the restaurant is open from 8 AM until 1 PM, though they will stay open a bit later to accommodate diners.