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Pitahayas

Beautifully restored after the devastating Category 3 Hurricane Odile in September, Pitahayas is now better than ever. Pitahayas boasts breathtaking sunsets and moon rises over the Sea of Cortés—thanks to its oceanfront location at the Sheraton Hotel complex—not to mention an exceptional menu, outstanding service, and one of the region’s most beautiful palapa roofs. Chef Volker Romeike specializes in tropical seafood influenced by Pacific Rim flavors, and he creates dishes such as tempura of honey pineapple topped with duck prosciutto and a cream sauce with a nice but not-too-hot bite for starters. Roasted beet salad with arugula and wasabi dressing might follow. The seafood symphony of broiled shrimp, soft shell crab, and lobster satay with mango coulis is definitely a winner as are chicken bites prepared in a wok with a crispy vegetable roll, served with a cherry mirin (a sweet Japanese rice wine) plum reduction and mashed potatoes. Meat lovers can enjoy New York steak, lamb chops, and petite filet mignon grilled to perfection on the Pacific grill. Save room for zango banana cheesecake or share the trio of crème brûlée. Enjoy different live music nightly, including a marimba combo. For intimate dining, book the elegant wine cellar La Cava de Santiago, which houses 400 labels of domestic and international wines. For 14 years running, Pitahayas has been awarded the Five Diamond Award, and this past year, it earned the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Hacienda del Mar, Cabo del Sol, km 10 on the Tourist Corridor, Cabo Sa Lucas, (624) 145-8010, www.pitahayas.com. Nightly 5 p.m.–11 p.m. AmEx, MasterCard, Visa, and vouchers accepted. $$–$$$ S.A.B.

Romeo & Julieta

If you think Italian food is all pasta and pizza, you owe it to yourself to make a date for dinner at the always-evolving Romeo & Julieta. Chef Matias Forte’s menu 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.

Señor Sweets Bistro

This Cabo San Lucas Marina spot is known for its great variety of tempting desserts, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t take time to explore some of the savory items on the menu. Just imagine being on the marina and enjoying a rib eye accompanied by vegetables expertly prepared with fine herbs and served with wine. Pizzas, panini, and salads are some of the traditional items available at the restaurant, which daily demonstrates its efforts to captivate diners’ palates. Of course, we won’t be so crazy as to ignore the gelati that, with more than 30 traditional and inventive flavors available, have earned a following all their own. Señor Sweets’ signature service and high-quality food have been instrumental in the restaurant building a reputation as a must-visit stop for tourists and locals. Señor Sweets welcomes visitors for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is eager to exceed everyone’s expectations. Don’t miss this opportunity to taste Señor Sweets’ delicious, aromatic coffee, some of the best in town. For a complete list of the restaurant’s ongoing promotions, visit its website. There you will also find a blog highlighting new developments. Cabo San Lucas Marina, at the entrance to Puerto Paraiso, Cabo San Lucas, (624) 105-0102, www.senorsweets.com. Daily 7 a.m.–midnight. All major credit cards accepted. $–$$ F.M.

The Shrimp Factory

Guests at this casual eatery can nosh on shrimp tacos, shrimp fajitas, or shrimp aguachile, or simply order them 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. Afterwards, as you may have guessed, Solomon’s also offers a wonderful dessert menu. Cabo San Lucas Marina (behind Wyndham Cabo San Lucas 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 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 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 5 p.m.–10 p.m. MasterCard and Visa accepted. $$–$$$$ F.M.