Restaurant and Dining Article continued.

Los Cabos Magazine article – Issue #10 – January 2006.

To bring you the latest take, follow Sandra Berry, Carol Billups, Bradley Fraser, Ann Hazard, George Landrum, and Sabrina Lear as they explore this season’s top tables around Los Cabos.

Section 5 of 7 – Mexican Fiesta at La Roca to The Office

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Mexican Fiesta at La Roca
If you’re new to Mexican fiestas, you’re in for a treat any Saturday night at Solmar Suites’ La Roca Restaurant. A Cabo San Lucas tradition, La Roca’s Mexican Fiesta serves up Mexican favorites with an entertaining live show. Overlooking the Pacific from the spacious rock-walled terrace, the setting is festive and tropical with bright red, white, and green tablecloths and a balloon-covered entry arch, where participants line up in anticipation, waiting for the night to begin. It all starts at 6:30 with the traditional fiesta greeting of tequila shots, the M.C.’s welcome, then the Mariachi band kicks off the show. Dressed in Mariachi costume, they’ll treat you to a medley of fiesta favorites to get you in the mood. The all-you-can-eat buffet has selections from all over México. Try the chicken in dark rich mole sauce and the tamales (pockets of corn dough with savory meat fillings wrapped in cornhusks and steamed), or the enchiladas and carne asada (grilled marinated beef). The huge buffet has soups, salads, guacamole, Mexican rice, beans, salsas, and desserts for any appetite. An excellent folkloric dance show take you through the country, until it’s time for the candy-filled piñata, a lot of fun for kids of any age. The fiesta is $35 per person, $17.50 for children ages 6 to 11, kids under five eat free. At Solmar Suites, off Boulevard Marina on beautiful Solmar Beach. For more information and reservations, call (624) 143-3535.—S.L.

Mi Casa
When you want authentic Mexican food and ambience head for Mi Casa, a landmark since 1991, nestled in a quaint building off Cabo’s main square. Starting your meal with a bowl of homemade tortilla soup is highly recommended or try Sopa de Mi Tía (my aunt’s soup) featuring chicken with baby squash, poblano chile and corn. Choosing your main course is harder with so many delicious dishes on the menu. If you’re feeling especially festive consider the Tamales Bandera—one variety for each color of the Mexican flag—chicken and red mole sauce, white cheese and poblano chile, and shredded pork and green tomatillo sauce. Other noteworthy selections include Manchamenteles de Morelia, a chile guajillo and chile ancho mole with chicken, pork and fruit, or Cochinita Pibil from the Yucatan—pork roasted with achiote seasoning. Beef lovers will enjoy Carne Asada a la Tampiqueña and for seafood enthusiasts the seafood soup is a meal of fish, shrimp, scallops, and octopus. Perhaps the most popular dish is Carnitas de Michoacan—tender tasty chunks of pork just begging to be tucked into a homemade tortilla with tangy salsa. If you have room left for dessert the coconut-almond soufflé is a treat. On Ave. Cabo San Lucas at Lázaro Cárdenas, lunch from noon until 3 p.m. daily, and dinner from 5 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., with seating for up to 400 and groups to 500. Groups over 100 are offered a special menu. Entrées from $13 to $38 U.S. Very popular, dinner reservations are a must, call (624) 143-1933.—C.B.

Mi Casa de Mariscos
For an outstanding seafood experience, you must visit Mi Casa de Mariscos. Surrounding a picturesque courtyard, this restaurant offers some of the best seafood to be found on the peninsula, served graciously with Mexican flair. House specialties include a creamy clam chowder that puts New England to shame, whole red snapper served Talla-style, and one of their signature dishes: the El Steak de Camaron—whole jumbo shrimp arranged in a large patty and grilled to perfection. Steak lovers might try Filete de Res en Salsa Morita—two filet mignon in chile morita, topped with fresh cheese, and served on roasted nopal. The house specialty is a seafood combination plate for two featuring (truly) jumbo lobster, red snapper, prawns, oysters, and scallops. Great for two hearty appetites. If Mexican is your dish, the open kitchen includes a “comal,” providing fresh tasty tortillas, with other traditional dishes. There’s a children’s menu with chicken fingers and other kid-friendly dishes. Desert includes flan, chocolate cake, and their rich and creamy tres leches cake, a Mexican tradition. Service is outstanding and the portions are large. Even jaded appetites will find something to enjoy at this Cabo original. On the corner behind Banamex, near McDonald’s, off Lázaro Cárdenas. Entrées from $9.50 to $35 U.S. with lobster and the seafood combo at market prices. Seating for 450 on two levels, with full bar and live music from 8 p.m. Open daily 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. For reservations, call (624) 143-6898.—C.B.

Mi Cocina at Casa Natalia
Inside Casa Natalia, Mi Cocina is an intimate sophisticated hideaway. The breathtaking open-air interior courtyard is set inside vivid blue, yellow, and terra cotta-colored walls offset by hand-hewn wood beams, towering palms and open flame braziers, all lending an exotic air. Owner and Executive Chef Loïc Tenoux artfully combines fresh local ingredients with Gallic flair, changing the menu seasonally to create innovative Euro-Mexican cuisine. Start with the fish quesadilla, a filet sautéed in Dijon, thyme, and guacamole, wrapped in a flour tortilla, or fresh clams steamed with shallots, white wine and bouquet garni, with a light creamy cilantro sauce. The gourmet salad, served with foie gras, croutons, sliced duck breast, quail, sautéed bacon and house vinaigrette, and the Mediterranean octopus salad with Chinese noodles and a ginger-cilantro vinaigrette are both winners. Entrées include the signature grilled New Zealand baby lamb with vegetarian fettuccini, and the chef’s risotto served with “Provencal style” sautéed seafood, roasted tomato, basil, and fresh Reggiano Parmegiano. End with a delicate lemon meringue tart or the moist dark chocolate cake. Good wine list, and a small, romantic bar. Entrées from $15 to $35 U.S. with seating for 55 adults (groups of up to eight maximum) on the patio or in the air-conditioned salon. On Mijares near Obregon, behind the main square in San José del Cabo. Open daily for dinner from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., for reservations, call (624) 142-5100.—S.L.

Nick-San Japanense Restaurant
Walking through Nick-San’s glass door there is an immediate buzz, an energy, and an expectation. It may be the celebrities that gravitate here, or all the awards won for quality and service. Or, it may be the guy you met fishing or the woman at the spa raving about this jewel—word of mouth never lies. The ambience is city slick with an open kitchen, small bar, and a long sushi bar for those of us who like to be close to the action. Nick-San’s sushi menu is long, creative, and fresh. Ask the sushi chefs to whip up something special for you. You can’t miss. The “other menu,” with the appetizers, kushiyaki and main courses, is where Nick-San has it honed down. The sashimi salad with sliced tuna, sea bass and a light, tangy-fruity dressing is a signature appetizer as are the baked scallops in a special mango sauce. The main courses include Teriyaki’s (beef, chicken, sea bass and tuna), tempuras (vegetable, shrimp, lobster), seafood and fish—the Mahi Mahi Kara-Age is a must. Amidst the cacophony, Co-Owner Angel Carbajal quietly orchestrates some of the best service your not likely to notice. Sushi from $3; entrées from $15-$30 U.S. On Boulevard Marina at Plaza de La Danza, and at Tiendas de Palmilla at the Palmilla Resort, both air-conditioned and open daily 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. For reservations, call (624) 143-4484.—B.F.

Oasis Bar and Grill
Poolside in the lush spacious courtyard of Marina Sol Condominiums, a block from Médano Beach, the Oasis feels like a beach bar and grill. A casual atmosphere and short but varied menu, tall palms soar high above this small, open palapa restaurant serving tasty American and Mexican favorites, steaks, and seafood. Good service, reasonable prices, TV sports, and friendly bartenders make the Oasis an easy-going place for lunch or dinner after a day of fishing. Burgers, tacos, and BLTs are on the lunch menu with catch of the day, prepared a variety of ways, and daily specials. At 5 p.m., tender steaks, sizzlin’ fajitas, shrimp and lobster combos, and beef medallions appear on the mesquite grill. For breakfast, try their Mexican chilaquiles with tortilla strips, cream, melted cheese, mild chile sauce and chicken, the American breakfasts, fresh fruits and juices. Have a banana split for dessert. On Paseo del Pescador, in the Marina Sol Resort, entrées from $9 to $16 U.S. with lobster at market prices. Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (kitchen closes at 9:45) and closed Wednesdays, with seating for 40. A 15% gratuity is charged for groups of eight or more. Call (624) 143-6285.—S.L.

The Office
Everyone knows their iconic blue beach umbrellas and white wrought iron tables and chairs at this landmark toes-in-the-sand restaurant and bar, a Médano Beach favorite since 1987. Edith Jiménez’s formula for good fun, good food, and good times never wanes, and even at its busiest, the service is surprisingly efficient. A loyal staff knows what patrons expect and keep the drinks flowing. Eye-popping people watching is another Office trademark as everyone migrates here to see and be seen under the Cabo sun. A full breakfast menu for Mexican and American tastes gets the morning off to a good start before hanging out, cruising on a Jet Ski or Wave Runner, or working on your tan. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with the Acapulco-style ceviche (fresh fish marinated in lime and spices), a shrimp cocktail, tacos, or a juicy burger special. Stick around for the daily 3 to 5 p.m. happy hour, one of Cabo’s best. Dinner features delicious steamed lobster and Baja-style jumbo shrimp, fresh fish, and Mexican dishes, from a menu similar to Edith’s namesake restaurant at the top of the hill. Try the Tierra Entre Dos Mares (land between two seas), a juicy New York steak with tender lobster and jumbo shrimp. Each Sunday and Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m., there’s an unbeatable Mexican fiesta with live music, folkloric dancing, tequila shooters, star-lit dancing and party favors. Enjoy the show with a signature margarita. Very popular with large groups; dinner reservations are necessary, especially on fiesta nights. Entrées from $12 to $55 U.S. with seating for 250. Open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., for dinner or fiesta reservations, call (624) 143-3464 or 143-4919.—S.L.

Dining Article and Restaurant Reviews
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