Pati's Mexican Table

Pati heads to the coastal city of Champotón, Mexico, and gets a warm welcome from her friend Chachi.

Pati gets an insiders look at Mérida, the capital of the Yucatán, with help from local chefs Pedro Evia and David Cetina.

Pati's good friend chef Pedro Evia, of K'u'uk restaurant in Mérida, takes her on one of his favorite day trips - a visit to the coastal town of Celestún.

Sunday in Mérida is a joyous weekly celebration of food, dancing, and culture. The day is incomplete without a family meal. Luckily, chef Roberto Solís, of Néctar restaurant, welcomes Pati into his home for a traditional Sunday supper.

Pati explores Campeche, a colorful colonial city with a history of piracy. The best place to gain an understanding of the city is the market where local gastronomic historian, Lolina Escheverria, unearths what makes Campeche so special.

Pati's sons are in México, and she wants them to experience the true essence of Yucatán. They climb the ancient ruins of Uxmal, then cool off in one of the thousands of hidden cenotes (swimming holes).

Pati heads to Izamal, known as the "yellow city" with its colonial buildings all glowing in gold. Pati tastes the local venison tacos that people travel all the way from Mérida to enjoy, and the traditional pok chuk is not to be missed.

Pati's favorite way to explore a city is without a plan. Today, she's in Valladolid, a city known to most as a stopover between Cancún and Mérida. She tries the local specialties, lomitos de Valladolid and longaniza de Valladolid.

Known for white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and the friendliest locals in the Mexican Caribbean, Isla Mujeres is a haven for people from all over the world. Pati takes a day to explore and try the local delicacy, Tikin Xic.

Pati explores Cancún to taste inventive dishes and experience the fusion of traditional Mexican cuisine with international flavors, like tuna tartar kibi and cold pork belly salad at Casa de Cristian Morales.