Romeo & Julieta
Chef Matias Forte’s ever-evolving menu at Romeo & Julieta offers something for everyone, especially now that the popular Cabo San Lucas restaurant has introduced a breakfast menu. The chef employs only fresh, organic ingredients—many of them culled from local farms. He then adds just enough twists to transform traditional dishes into an experience rather than just another meal. Menu highlights include linguine with shrimp in a butter and cream sauce; fettuccine with beef tenderloin and Portobello mushroom; ravioli stuffed with crab; and melt-in-your mouth gnocchi made with ricotta cheese and served in either a tomato or butter-and-sage cream sauce. Prefer something lighter? The Caesar salad is prepared at guests’ tables and is unmatchable, as is the innovative croccante salad, a delightful combination of dried fruits and crunchy veggies. New on the menu is a baked Portobello mushroom stuffed with spinach. Another favorite appetizer is beef carpaccio, thin slices of raw beef fillet drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice and topped with Parmesan cheese shavings. Authentic Italian desserts are but for the asking. All of this fine Italian fare is enjoyed in an elegant yet cozy atmosphere. With a choice of dining rooms and a beautiful patio open to the stars, it is not difficult to find a romantic spot to celebrate occasions big and small. On any given night, enjoy the music of a strolling guitarist. Then, on Saturday nights, get swept away with the music from an electric violin. Boulevard Marina and Camino del Cerro, Cabo San Lucas, (624) 143-0225, www.restaurantromeoyjulieta.com. Daily 8 a.m.–11 p.m. AmEx, MasterCard, Visa, and vouchers accepted. $$–$$$$ S.A.B.
The Shrimp Factory
The Baja Peninsula is surrounded by water, and the bounty of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortés is on full display at the Shrimp Factory, a casual Cabo San Lucas eatery that specializes in, you guessed it, shrimp. Order tacos, fajitas, aguachile, or shrimp by the kilo. Preparations include coconut, breaded, beer battered, diabla, and scampi. There is also a plethora of combo platters pairing shrimp with items like fresh fish, lobster, and filet mignon. There are several good shrimp-free options, too, including traditional surf and turf platters with lobster and filet mignon, grilled chicken breast in poblano sauce, and pescado zarandeado (a whole fish spiced, sauced, and cooked in a wire basket over a charcoal grill). Happy hour specials include two-for-one margaritas and iced buckets of six beers for $10 U.S. Calle Miguel Hidalgo (near Boulevard Marina), Cabo San Lucas, (624) 143-1105. Daily 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m. MasterCard and Visa accepted. $–$$$ C.S.
Solomon’s Landing
The supersized menu—or should we say menus?—at the popular Cabo San Lucas Marina restaurant has earned it legions of fans, including celebrity chef Guy Fieri, who featured the spot on his show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. There’s a lot to love here, starting with the myriad options that guests can choose from. Each item on the breakfast, bar, children’s, lunch, sushi, and dinner menus is paired with exceptional views of the marina. Diners can also expect superb service by the friendly staff as well as a daily infusion of fresh seafood. Dinnertime visitors will want to start with the Poki Rainbow Sashimi, a savory sampler of fish, scallops, and octopus, and the introductory salvo in what should be a seafood rich repast. Classic Mexican soups like tortilla and Five Bean provide a bit of ballast, and the Caesar salads are practically mandatory. These salads are prepared tableside by servers, and they’re so good that you will likely swear off store-bought dressing forever after just one bite. Headliners include a juicy 12-ounce cut of filet mignon and the fresh catch of the day prepared in your choice of the restaurant’s seven signature styles. afterward, as you may have guessed, Solomon’s also offers a wonderful dessert menu. Cabo San Lucas Marina (behind Tesoro resort), Cabo San Lucas, (624) 143-3050, www.solomonslandingcabo.com. Daily 7 a.m.–11 p.m. Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and vouchers accepted. $–$$$ C.S.
Sunset da Mona Lisa
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you discover the breathtaking view of the Cabo San Lucas Bay from Sunset da Mona Lisa. It is as though, out of nowhere, Land’s End appears before your eyes. And that extraordinary view is complemented by one of the most impressive menus at any restaurant…anywhere. Simply put, this is the most romantic spot in all of Los Cabos. Much like its namesake—Leonardo da Vinci’s celebrated masterpiece—Sunset da Mona Lisa dazzles and intrigues. Its perch over the Sea of Cortés offers incredible views any time of day, but the vista is most spectacular as the sky transforms into a brilliant watercolor and the sun descends over Land’s End. The menu boasts a quality and sophistication that could conquer the most discerning palate; its colors and flavors combining to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Begin with a wine, then try the Insalata di Rucola or Filetto di Manzo, which is cooked on a lava stone right at your table and served with spinach flan and vegetables from the kitchen garden. There are antipasti, house-made pastas, fresh seafood, meaty entrées, and a roster of deliciously indulgent desserts. Nobody is left out, since the menu has been designed to offer dishes for vegetarians as well as those with gluten or dairy restrictions. Don’t hesitate to ask the sommelier for wine pairing suggestions. You can also request more information about holding a wedding at Sunset da Mona Lisa, which is not only a favorite for weddings but also engagements. Valet parking. Km 6.5 on the Tourist Corridor, Cabo San Lucas, (624) 145-8160, www.sunsetmonalisa.com. Nightly 4 p.m.–10:30 p.m. MasterCard and Visa accepted. $$–$$$$ F.M.
