A spectacular fusion of Latin, Mexican and Asian influences ignites the menu at Ambar, the signature restaurant at Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya, Mexico. Dramatically situated on the edge of the enchanting lagoon, amidst lush mangroves and jungle, Ambar offers a world of gastronomic excellence with its extraordinary array of Latino-Asiatica cuisine.

With Executive Chef Alejandro Rojas at the helm, Ambar’s distinctive dishes rely on local ingredients and organically grown products, spices and herbs.  Fresh fish flown in from nearby waters complements a sumptuous array of local catch featuring grouper, snapper, tuna and lobster. Accompanying the diverse menu of starters, main dishes and desserts will be three tasting menus: Vegetarian Five-course menu; Signature Five-course menu and an extravagant Nine-course menu.

An ultra modern, cozy and chic enclave that exudes warmth and romance, guests enter Ambar under its sleek copper dome-shaped roof. An impressive structure of contemporary architectural style, the interior is an artful, sleek and lively space that revels in onyx – a gorgeous natural Mexican stone that is amber in color. In fact, Ambar gets its name from the fossil resin amber – revered for its inherent and stunning mix of colors and considered to possess wonderful powers by the Mayans and other ancient civilizations.

Soaring ceilings, teak wood floors and walls of glass provide stunning vistas. Guests savor mesmerizing views of the shimmering lagoon with its dual islands, spectacular vegetation and wildlife, and the enchanting mangrove. By night, Ambar has a remarkable glow that exudes intimacy and romance.

The centerpiece of Ambar is its ultra cool private dining table for 12, placed center stage on the floor. Elevated on a floor of glass with Mexican river stones below, it is the place to “see and be seen.” The open show kitchen, set behind slivers of wood and glass and also bathed in onyx, offers a glimpse of the gastronomic wonders that await discriminating diners.

Walk-in wine galleries, also dressed in spectacular onyx, line two sides of the restaurant, boasting more than 1,500 bottles. A place for pre- or post dinner libations, the bar is crafted in onyx and seats eight. There is also an expansive outdoor lounge adjacent to the bar offering seating for 15 with views of the lagoon and jungle.

Open nightly for dinner, Ambar has seating for 70; indoor dining can accommodate up to 45 while the outside terrace offers an air of romance for 25 diners.

And for the optimum evening ender, high above the mangrove is the open air, rooftop cigar lounge. A circular stair leads to this hip outdoor venue which offers a visual feast of starry skies, lush tropical jungles and the mesmerizing lagoon.

Ambar is open for dinner daily from 7pm to 10pm. For reservations or more information, call +52 (984) 877 3295 or visit www.mandarinoriental.com/rivieramaya. Valet parking; all major credit cards accepted.