My friend Sally who is a Cozumel local posted this on a Cozumel related board and gave me permission to share it here 
I am posting her post verbatim because she did such a great job describing it.
By the way, I'll give her a plug while I'm at it...she is a massage therapist and although I haven't personally gotten a massage from her because I never have time, I have heard nothing but praise! www.barefootincozumel.com
Sally writes:
"There's a New Chef in Town"
Okay, its time to let the cat out of the bag. For over a year I have been a weekly patron at the Restaurant Acuario on the waterfront. I sit alone or with a friend or two, with my latest painting-in-progress before me, illuminated by a book light, the Caribbean lapping the shore just a few feet away. Id order a drink and make it last 3 hours, while I enjoyed the live, soft Latin jazz expertly provided by my friends David and Raul. Over the year Ive completed several paintings this way, stroke by stroke. Ive told a few people about it. How you can sit outside, watch the sunset, slow dance to romantic ballads but always with one condition: dont eat the food. Acuario had ambience, location, great music and class. Food was never the reason to go there and the prices kept many people out.
All that changed about one month ago. Theres a new chef in town and his name is Luis Maya. Chef Luis is originally from Mexico City, but spent 18 years in the U.S., and one year in Germany. He was classically trained at the Culinary Institute of San Francisco and the results are astonishing. Close your eyes and imagine a fresh filet of mahi-mahi, grilled to perfection, seated on a puree of local sweet potato, topped with fresh pineapple pico de gallo, on a plate beautifully drizzled with a balsamic reduction ($12). That was last night. Last week I was a bit more timid and ordered the Tacos Monchos, two flour tortillas generously filled with strips of marinated skirt steak, tender and juicy ($10). The sides included a grilled chile of medium heat with an unpronounceable name (never mind trying to spell it), a grilled tomatillo, and a mound of fresh guacamole, beautifully presented with confetti of tomato and sweet peppers. It was so delicious, I almost ordered it again last night but I promised myself Id try something new.
The reviews are starting to come in and they all agree. Acuario has found its key ingredient: Chef Luis. From the shrimp corn fritter appetizer ($7) to the Captains Platter of lobster, shrimp and mahi-mahi ($27, enough for two), there are no bad choices. In addition, there are daily specials such as last nights Lime Tequila Penne Pasta with shrimp, conch and mahi-mahi ($15), which received a big thumbs up at our table, from one who knows his penne pasta. Cap off the evening with bananas flambé, prepared tableside and you have a true Caribbean culinary paradise. I believe that in just one month, Acuario has firmly vaulted into place among the top three restaurants of Cozumel.
Acuario is open daily from noon to midnight, with live music Monday through Saturday from 7-10pm. Appetizers average $7, entrees are $8-27, with more than half the choices under $15. Acuario is located on the waterfront and Calle 11, at the traffic light. I am not affiliated in any way with this restaurant.
I am posting her post verbatim because she did such a great job describing it.By the way, I'll give her a plug while I'm at it...she is a massage therapist and although I haven't personally gotten a massage from her because I never have time, I have heard nothing but praise! www.barefootincozumel.com
Sally writes:
"There's a New Chef in Town"
Okay, its time to let the cat out of the bag. For over a year I have been a weekly patron at the Restaurant Acuario on the waterfront. I sit alone or with a friend or two, with my latest painting-in-progress before me, illuminated by a book light, the Caribbean lapping the shore just a few feet away. Id order a drink and make it last 3 hours, while I enjoyed the live, soft Latin jazz expertly provided by my friends David and Raul. Over the year Ive completed several paintings this way, stroke by stroke. Ive told a few people about it. How you can sit outside, watch the sunset, slow dance to romantic ballads but always with one condition: dont eat the food. Acuario had ambience, location, great music and class. Food was never the reason to go there and the prices kept many people out.
All that changed about one month ago. Theres a new chef in town and his name is Luis Maya. Chef Luis is originally from Mexico City, but spent 18 years in the U.S., and one year in Germany. He was classically trained at the Culinary Institute of San Francisco and the results are astonishing. Close your eyes and imagine a fresh filet of mahi-mahi, grilled to perfection, seated on a puree of local sweet potato, topped with fresh pineapple pico de gallo, on a plate beautifully drizzled with a balsamic reduction ($12). That was last night. Last week I was a bit more timid and ordered the Tacos Monchos, two flour tortillas generously filled with strips of marinated skirt steak, tender and juicy ($10). The sides included a grilled chile of medium heat with an unpronounceable name (never mind trying to spell it), a grilled tomatillo, and a mound of fresh guacamole, beautifully presented with confetti of tomato and sweet peppers. It was so delicious, I almost ordered it again last night but I promised myself Id try something new.
The reviews are starting to come in and they all agree. Acuario has found its key ingredient: Chef Luis. From the shrimp corn fritter appetizer ($7) to the Captains Platter of lobster, shrimp and mahi-mahi ($27, enough for two), there are no bad choices. In addition, there are daily specials such as last nights Lime Tequila Penne Pasta with shrimp, conch and mahi-mahi ($15), which received a big thumbs up at our table, from one who knows his penne pasta. Cap off the evening with bananas flambé, prepared tableside and you have a true Caribbean culinary paradise. I believe that in just one month, Acuario has firmly vaulted into place among the top three restaurants of Cozumel.
Acuario is open daily from noon to midnight, with live music Monday through Saturday from 7-10pm. Appetizers average $7, entrees are $8-27, with more than half the choices under $15. Acuario is located on the waterfront and Calle 11, at the traffic light. I am not affiliated in any way with this restaurant.
