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 7 of 7 – 7 Seas at Cabo Surf Hotel to Voilá
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7 Seas at Cabo Surf Hotel
An awesome view, eclectic Nouveau Mexican menu and attentive service all add up to 7 Seas at the boutique Cabo Surf Hotel, named #5 in Elle Living magazine’s 21 Top Secret Addresses around the world for 2005. Set under a large palapa overlooking the break, 7 Seas’ romantic ambiance is complimented by Latin jazz, ocean breezes, and the sound of waves breaking on the beach. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the night we dined, Chef Alejandro Rodríguez was testing signature dishes for the new season’s menu. Lucky us. We grazed on crisp mixed greens with sun dried tomatoes and lobster, fresh seared tuna with new potatoes, carmelized onion and Portobello mushroom, and a light chile relleno with sea bass, corn, spinach, Monterrey and mozzarella cheeses in a fresh tomato sauce, all washed down with a crisp Pinot Grigio. Then, switching to a fine Arroyo Grande chardonnay, we made our way through a delightful spinach salad with dried apricot and feta, flaky sea bass in a savory tomatillo sauce, and mahi mahi on risotto and cream of mole with crisp tortilla strips. Wondering how we would have room for dessert, the platter appeared, and the chocolate mousse cake, profiteroles, flan and key lime pie were too sinful looking to refuse a bite of each. The moonlit evening, topped off with a premium tequila, was a bit of heaven, the perfect place for small weddings and celebrations. With seating for 50, 7 Seas is at Kilometer 28, just west of San José del Cabo, and open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For reservations, call (624) 142-2666.—S.L.
Solomon’s Landing
Your party can’t decide on what to eat? Take them to Solomon’s Landing on the marina behind the Costa Real Hotel. Solomon’s has long been known for fish and seafood; with the addition of steaks, Mexican entrées and most recently a sushi bar, there’s sure to be something to please everyone. Of course, fish is still the house specialty with eight preparations of the catch of the day including Rockefeller (broiled with cheese and spinach) or served with capers and cream sauce. The crispy scallops are toasted in corn flake crumbs, and for a lighter entrée consider the Baja grilled shrimp salad with greens, avocado and shrimp. For heartier appetites try the Shrimply Delicious platter of coconut shrimp, bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with cheese, breaded shrimp and sautéed shrimp. Shrimp Scampi is a tangy dish with Mediterranean flair and fresh lobster is available at market price. A variety of meat dishes include filet mignon and juicy barbequed baby back ribs. The Mexican combination plate includes chile relleno, an enchilada and taquitos with all the traditional Mexican side dishes, or go for the shrimp or steak fajitas—a combination platter is also available. The Sushi menu includes nigiri and sashimi. A children’s menu is also available. Don’t forget dessert—tempura ice cream with a crunchy crust or a variety of coffees and after-dinner beverages. With seating for 80, and open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., although the menu is sophisticated, the dress code and atmosphere are Cabo Casual. Call (624) 143-7606.—C.B.
The Shrimp Factory
Got Shrimp? The Shrimp Factory surely does. As the name implies, this establishment knows shrimp and rarely veers from that mission, cooking up the succulent shellfish in a variety of tasty recipes. The house specialty, however, is simple—steamed shrimp ready to peel and priced by the kilo The more adventurous might try Shrimp Imperial, prepared with cheese and bacon, the coconut shrimp, or Diablo, not too hot for Gringo tastes. Also tasty are butterflied and breaded shrimp, beer battered shrimp, and their barbequed shrimp kabob. Starters include shrimp cocktail and shrimp salad. With all these choices who can decide? Luckily, The Shrimp Factory offers two large sampler platters. For about $35 U.S., you can have breaded, beer battered, jumbo boiled, jumbo grilled and Imperial shrimp. The Seafood Combo for Two features a one-kilo lobster, one-half kilo steamed grande shrimp, five each beer battered and breaded shrimp and a serving of fish fingers. For the seafood averse, chicken fajitas are on the menu. Tempting as all these may be, save room for dessert. The menu includes chocolate mousse and coconut ice cream but bananas flambé is the highlight—prepared at your table with great flair and served over delicious ice cream. Entrées from $11 to $30 U.S. for the jumbo shrimp. This casual open-air restaurant is at the corner of Boulevard Marina and Guerrero with seating for 75. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., reservations suggested in high season, call (624) 143-5066.—C.B.
Sushi Itto
It’s not all sushi. Sushi Itto offers Teppanyaki, where food is cooked to order in front of you. Four large stainless steel grills have communal seating for seven. Some chefs will perform a little while cooking. We tried the scallops, cooked to our liking and served with grilled asparagus, spinach, mushrooms, eggplant topped with cheese, red bell pepper, elephant garlic grilled crisp, onions, and a side of shrimp fried rice from the grill. My vegetarian friend was impressed. Our sushi meal began with fresh tuna sashimi followed by a combination of sushi: yellow tail, crab surimi, smelt and salmon roe, tuna, white fish, and salmon, washed down with traditional warmed sake and green tea. The Hooky at the Beach breaded roll was tempting, consisting of shrimp, avocado, cream cheese, and their Itto Tampico sauce. Since opening in November 2004, Sushi Itto has made a name for its fusion of Japanese cuisine with Western flavors in a casual atmosphere, on the second level of Plaza Puerto Paraiso. People-watch on the terrace, or sit in the sleek air-conditioned interior at the bar or tables for four. Sushi, sashimi, and makis run to $25 U.S. with Teppanyaki from $8 to $38. Open from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily, with plenty of free parking. For reservations, large parties, or delivery call (624) 105-0123.—S.B.
Terranova Restaurant
Quaint and charming, this unpretentious restaurant at the Hotel Posada Terranova has a laid back atmosphere where country-style cooking has always been a draw. Breakfast features huevos rancheros, omelettes and chilaquiles (day old tortillas fried and served with chicken, cream, and cheese) with lunch a pleasant combination of salads and Mexican standards like quesadillas and enchiladas, fresh fish and carne asada tacos. For dinner, the terrace is transformed with soft lighting and strolling musicians. Try the reasonably priced seafood soup for starters or the Caesar salad. For your main course, the Mexican Plate features a chile relleno, enchilada, taco, quesadilla, rice, guacamole and beans, done Baja ranch style. Or, make your own Mexican combo. The fish in cilantro sauce or done papillote—steamed in foil—are both tender and inviting, and the coconut shrimp in mango sauce is a much-requested entrée. Steaks, chicken, and fresh seafood round out the menu. Terranova Restaurant has a full bar and desserts, including homemade flan. Dinner entrées from $8.50 to $21 U.S. with lobster at market prices. Very relaxed service with seating for 72, including two air-conditioned dining rooms. On Degollado, just off Zaragoza, four blocks up from Boulevard Mijares in San José del Cabo. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For dinner reservations, call (624) 142-0534.—S.L
Villa Serena
With a beautiful view of the Sea of Cortés from the open air palapa-covered dining area, it is no wonder that many of Villa Serena’s clientele are repeat diners. Having Jaime there at 7 p.m. playing great guitar music from Wednesday through Sunday adds to the relaxed, romantic atmosphere. While the kitchen closes at 10 p.m., the friendly staff will stay and serve drinks and Jaime will keep playing if there are enough people having a good time. Four of us went for an evening out, starting with the frosty margaritas. We sampled the lobster (two tails) and ribs, a Mexican combo plate, the New York steak and the filet mignon. Both steaks were large and done just right. The ribs were fall-off-the-bone tender and brushed with a delicious orange-flavored sauce. Our Mexican combo eater doesn’t like chiles rellenos and requested a burrito with no onion instead. No problema—the kitchen will accommodate picky eaters. They were out of their delicious key lime pie, our only disappointment of the evening. We’ll just have to go back. For kid’s, there’s a pool menu with hot dogs, hamburgers, and fries, and you are welcome to cool off in the pool. Great service and a great place for private parties and weddings. Dinner entrées from $9.95 to $28 U.S., with seating for 70 and groups up to 150. At Kilometer 7.5 in the Tourist Corridor, next to the Villa Serena Trailer Park. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., for reservations, call (624) 145-8244.—G.L.
Voilá
Whether you’re looking for a thoroughly satisfying dining experience, Haute takeout, or someone to cater your own gala affair, Voilá is the place. Chef Roberto Valle’s hip room and tight menu have grown, with a new space at Plaza Paulina across from El Encanto Suites, and El Retiro (more on that later), in San José del Cabo’s gallery district. In a tall 30-seat, air-conditioned dining room, in which “The Ruin” alcove seats groups to 20, along with a 20-seat al fresco bar and firepit, Voilá offers up fabulously creative Mexican cuisine tweaked with French and Asian twists. Open for lunch, which now features seafood cocktails, all under $10 U.S. Dinner is a rich mix of salads, and starters, to set you up for a core menu of dazzling dishes, including his signature decadent lobster burrito with Manchego cheese, avocado, cabbage and mango chipotle salsa. This, and the cuitlacoche (corn husk truffle) ravioli with a corn cream sauce or the pistachio and macadamia nut crusted halibut, with Habañero pepper fumet, define Voilá as only Valle can. The wine list is small but diverse, the service superb. Open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with live jazz Saturday nights. Entrées from $9.50 to $27 U.S. for lobster. On Hidalgo at Comonfort, with El Retiro across the street—Valle’s neighborhood gift to an affordable, yet inspired, courtyard breakfast and lunch, open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dinner reservations suggested, call (624) 130-7569.—A.H. & S.L.
Dining Article and Restaurant Reviews
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