Los Cabos has come a long way since its early days as a tourist destination, when the primary draws were big-game fishing
and Cabo San Lucas’ boisterous late-night party scene. In recent years, the area has become increasingly more sophisticated, adding pampering spas, upscale boutiques and first-class restaurants with dedicated wine programs to its portfolio of attractions.
The explosion of interest in Baja California’s wine country – northern Baja grape growing valleys like Valle de Guadalupe produce over 90% of Mexico’s table wines – has translated to vastly expanded wine lists at area restaurants, many of which now specialize in pairing regional food and wines.
Here are four local restaurants where the wines are every bit the equal of the fine cuisine.
Sunset da Mona Lisa
The views are so spectacular that the food and wine rarely get their due. Located in the tourist corridor, overlooking famed surf beach Playa Monumentos, this restaurant hugs the water’s edge, and offers magnificent views of the sun setting over the evocative granite monuments at Land’s End. So romantic are the views that the restaurant has had to hire a full-time wedding coordinator. But the Italian cuisine and fresh local seafood (the restaurant has its own fishing boats) are also superb, and the recently added Taittinger Terrace Oyster and Champagne Bar adds yet another level of seaside romance and world-class wine service.
El Farallon
This may be the one restaurant in Los Cabos that can match Sunset da Mona Lisa for romantic amenities and sheer jaw-dropping views. Set on a cliffside above crashing Pacific Ocean waves at the best resort in Cabo San Lucas, The Resort at Pedregal, El Farallon serves up market style seafood in truly remarkable surroundings. And like Sunset da Mona Lisa, it has added a Champagne Terrace in recent years to up the ante for what was already a breathtaking dining experience. Don’t worry about figuring out the proper cheese pairings. Sommeliers are there to help.
Pitahayas
When it comes to large, well-stocked wine cellars, Chef Volker Romeike is a pioneer. Of course, the chef is more famous for pioneering pan-Asian fusion cuisine at his scenically set restaurant, Pitahayas, at Sheraton’s Grand Hacienda del Mar. There, diners enjoy piquant dishes incorporating elements from countries as disparate as Mexico, the U.S., China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Oenophiles, however, will be most impressed with La Cava de Santiago, the wine cellar and dining area that is home to 400 labels from premier domestic and international producers.
Solomon’s Landing
Solomon’s excels at monthly wine pairing events. Truth be told, though, Solomon’s excels at everything. What was originally a modest taco stand some 20 plus years ago has flourished under the ownership of Brian Solomon to become one of the must-visit meal destinations on the Cabo San Lucas Marina. Seafood is the New Orleans trained chef’s specialty, but Solomon’s serves up delicious food of all kinds morning, noon and night. But the best time to experience the restaurant’s unique approach to fine dining is during the monthly wine pairing dinners, when bottles from the generously stocked, climate controlled cellar are paired with some of the chef’s signature dishes.
For more information about wine, restaurants and local events, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.
Photo courtesy of The Resort at Pedregal.
Upcoming Event Calendar
December
San José del Cabo Art Walk – Thursday evenings, 5 – 9 p.m., November through June
Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe – Dec. 12
Whale Watching Season – Mid-December to Mid-March
Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24
Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25
Día de los Inocentes – Dec. 28
5k Run/Walk in Todos Santos – Dec. 30
Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve with DJ Paul Oakenfold at Blue Marlin Ibiza/ME Cabo Hotel – Dec. 31
Gatsby Theme New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa – Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve Party with Major Lazer at The Cape: A Thompson Hotel – Dec. 31
January
Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) – Jan. 6
International Festival of Yoga in Todos Santos – Jan. 5 – 7
Tropic of Cancer Concert Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 11 – 21
Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament – Jan. 15 – 19
Los Cabos Mountain Marathon – Jan. 20
La Ventana Classic (Kiteboard and Windsurfing Tournament) – Jan. 17 – 21
Todos Santos Writers Workshop – Jan. 27 – Feb. 3
February
Todos Santos Open Artists’ Studio Tour – Feb. 10 – 11
Carnaval La Paz – Feb. 8 – 13
Valentine’s Day Dinner at Sunset da Mona Lisa – Feb. 14
Baja Hog Motorcycle Rally – Feb. 21 – 25
Los Barriles Dog Show – Dates Not Yet Announced
March
Todos Santos Film Festival – March 7 – 11
Baja Shakespeare Festival – March 9 – 11, 14 – 17
El Triunfo Arts & Crafts Festival – Dates Not Yet Announced
East Cape Arts Festival – March 18
Fiestas Patronales in San José del Cabo – March 14 – 19
Semana Santa – March 25 – 31
Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – March 28 – April 1
Annual Cheese & Wine Festival at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar – Dates Not Yet Announced
April
Paws n’ Claws Golf Tournament and Dinner – Dates Not Yet Announced
NORRA Mexican 1000 – April 20 – 26
Koral Pets Race – Dates Not Yet Announced
May
482nd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3
Cinco de Mayo – May 5
El Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10
Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20
White Party at Blue Marlin Ibiza – Dates Not Yet Announced
Please let me know what you think about this!