I found myself at XIN-GAO, a restaurant located in Xcaret Hotel Mexico, one night for a dinner experience that I won't soon forget. The restaurant, helmed by Chef Arzapalo, offers four unique dining experiences that showcase the best of Japanese flavors and techniques, including Teppanyaki, Robatayaki, Fusion, and Omakase.

As soon as I walked into the restaurant, I was struck by the modern decor and beautiful concrete artwork on display throughout the space. After a slight hiccup with our reservation, we were eventually seated in front of the sushi bar, which was exactly where we wanted to be. Our server Viviana Garcia stood next to us practically all night, making sure everything was perfect, and we were thrilled to be seated right in front of the sushi chef, Angel Camacho, and the always-smiling Yeyezi Garcia which allows us to see her careful creations at work.

We started our meal with a Tampico Roll, which was an explosion of flavors in our mouths. The wait was well worth it for this dish. From there, we enjoyed a large variety of dishes including hand rolls, sashimi, and dumplings seasoned with a delicious white sauce. The Arcoiris Roll was particularly amazing, packed with flavor and expertly prepared.

Next, we were blown away by the Toshimi Tuna, which was to die for. The marbling of the fat was simply amazing and melted in our mouths. The Sashimi Salmon, while not quite as good as the tuna, was still extremely impressive and delicious.

But the big surprise of the night was the dish we dubbed "Going to Heaven." This dish was a combination of Wagyu beef, spectacular tuna, and salmon rolled and placed on a bed of branches. The presentation was stunning, with flowers, slices of lemons, and salmon with marbling fit for a king. It was one of the best birthday dinners I've had in a long time.

Throughout the night, the staff was incredibly attentive and considerate. Pedro and Pablo at the bar kept us surprised with drinks that were more like dreams, each more colorful and delicious than the last. And all the while, the staff made sure our food was perfect, with Angel Camacho and his team transferring tons of data to ensure the flavors were just right.

I truly love coming to XIN-GAO not just for the food and beautiful buildings, but also for the wonderful people that I meet. The servers, bartenders, and managers are all impeccably trained and have the perfect attitude to take care of everything you need. And they do it all with a smile.

One thing I do want to emphasize is the importance of tipping. Just because you're at an all-inclusive restaurant doesn't mean service is included. These people work for tips, and it's their main source of income. So please, tip generously if you receive excellent service. I saw a table of seven people who ordered everything on the menu and then some, but left a tip of only $5. It was heartbreaking to see how hard the staff was working for so little reward. Remember, tipping 15-20% is standard in Mexico and the US.

In conclusion, I had an amazing time at XIN-GAO. The food was outstanding, the staff was attentive and friendly, and the ambiance was perfect. Even with a minor glitch at the beginning, they were able to quickly fix the issue and provide an unforgettable dining experience. My wife and I left with full bellies, happy hearts, and a ton of photos to remember the night.