Verbena Campestre for Bob’s Birthday

IMG_0650

IMG_0651It’s because of events like this that I started this blog! YES, it was a long way (south of Ensenada, past Estero Beach & Maneadero, at the start of the “Ruta Antigua del Vino,”) but well worth the journey and easy to find.

Thanks to emails with Marisol Acuna, San Cosme Vinedos owners’ daughter, we were able to reserve tickets at the advance rate ($250 pesos, under $17). Gracias, Marisol!

DSC_2703

Included: commemorative wine glass, two wine tastes, one cerveza taste, cheese and olive oil samples, live music and a ton of fun. And, it was Bob’s birthday!

DSC_2710

DSC_2724DSC_2713Food (including paella, pulpo & pig) and wine by the bottle were available at very reasonable rates. We especially enjoyed the wines of Madera 5/Cava Aragon 126, and it was a treat to meet Jose Luis Rendon. The octopus from La Cocedora de Langosta was outstanding.

IMG_0668Our group kept growing ’til we had a party of nine, all turned out to celebrate Bob’s birthday. (Note the “dead soldiers” on the table.)

DSC_2756

As the sun dipped behind the hills, we grooved to the music and showmanship of Tinta Bohemio.  Put this event on your list for next year for sure. It’s not on the tourist radar, so you’ll feel like a local. I don’t think you’ll regret it!

DSC_2747DSC_2692Fountain crop

IMG_0656DSC_2734

DSC_2807

DSC_2738DSC_2789Photos by Bob Gove, David Hetherington & Carole Ravago.

 

Bracero – SD’s hardest working new restaurant

Count us among those who’ve been eagerly anticipating Chef Javier Plasciencia’s Bracero Cocina! Made it this week; not disappointed. From what we saw, if you don’t have reservations but arrive by 5:30 or so on a weeknight, you should be able to get in quickly. Don’t be intimidated!

IMG_0628We had reservations and were directed upstairs to a rather tiny table for two. We felt lucky to be there, but it was noisy and a bit hectic, with VERY close tables. A far cry from other Plasciencia venues we’ve frequented, Finca Altozano in the Valle (FAVE!) & Mision 19 in Tijuana. Fortunately, we had fabulous table neighbors, Sarah and Ethan Epperson.

IMG_0636We took a few mins to drink in the atmosphere – and then got down to the real drinks.

IMG_0616As long-time Sentri Pass holders, we HAD to try the Sentri Pass and the Ready Lane cocktails (with jalapeno-infused tequila; I’m SO inspired to try this at home!) With dinner I enjoyed a glass of Sacro from Lomita, one of our fave Baja wineries. We started the eating experience with a grouper birria taco (fish, not goat, the traditional birria centerpiece).

IMG_0617Tasty, but sorry, not memorable. What WAS memorable was the Sabina Bandera tostada, named for the wonderful and darling chef at the long-standing and pretty-darn-famous La Guerrerrense in Ensenada.

IMG_0618Corvina ceviche, prepared clam, sea urchin topping & avocado – WOW. I’ll order this again. Bracero’s chocolata clam was lovely but a bit chewy.

IMG_0621The one hot small plate we ordered was the wood-grilled octopus: highly recommended, but disappointing. The black bean & squid ink sauce are tasty but = a dark, blah presentation.

IMG_0620While we grooved on the smoky flavor, green garbanzos and anise flowers, the octopus was (in our opinion) mushy. As Baja veterans, we prefer our octopus lightly grilled, served al dente.

IMG_0626On to dessert: one coconut flan, one grapefruit panna cotta, both delicious. Pleased with our meal, we headed out & were lucky to chat with Chef himself on the patio.

IMG_0638Felicitaciones – please join us in wishing great success for Bracero Cocina! We love having Baja cuisine & chefs on this side of the border, and front and center in our region’s culinary tapestry.

IMG_0641IMG_0632

IMG_0648

Update! Eat Drink Baja Calendar

We’re in high season for eating and drinking in and around Baja! Here’s what’s on our radar screen.

BAJA logo

Saturday, 7/25, 2pm: Verbena Campestre at Vinedos San Cosme south of Ensenada, at the beginning of the Baja wine country’s “Ruta Antigua.” Sounds like fun; we’ll be there and will report on it!

Saturday, 7/25, 6pm: Wine Tasting & Baja Ingredients at Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park. If you can’t get south of the border this weekend, this is the next best thing.

Friday, 8/7 through Sunday 8/23: Fiesta de la Vendimia – Various events in Valle de Guadalupe and Ensenada. Prices vary. It’s the 25th anniversary of the Vendimia, so it promises to be extra special. We’ll be at the closing event, the Paella Fest, on 8/23, at the very least.

Sunday, 8/9: Festival del Pescado y el Marisco, Rosarito Beach Hotel. This event is free and open to the public.

Friday, 8/14 through Monday 8/17: Latin Food Fest on and around Broadway Pier in San Diego. Although Friday’s Spirits of America event and Monday’s Havana Super Club are invitation only, you can get tix for the Grande Tasting on Saturday and/or the Family Fiesta on Sunday.

Friday, 8/21 through Sunday 8/23: Baja Blues Fest, Rosarito Beach Hotel. Haven’t been yet but are looking forward to it this year! Our friends the Bayou Brothers are in the lineup.

Wednesday, 8/26: Sabor de Baja, Rosarito Beach Hotel. This event sold out last year, its debut. Looks classy and fun, hope to attend! Be sure to wear white.

SAVE THE DATES: Baja Culinary Fest, 10/8 through 10/11. We’ll see what the organizers have cooked up this year!

 

Vendimia Paella Fest tix!

It’s a miracle: tix for the perpetually sold out Fiestas de la Vendimia Paella Fest are available online tonight! Move quickly, as they may be cut off any minute. Believe me, they’re as hot as Rolling Stones tix, and a lot cheaper! http://bit.ly/1CNhru5

IMG_0497

Eat Drink Baja Events Calendar

Here @ eatdrinkbaja, we noted the need for a calendar that curates, promotes and links to interesting Baja-related culinary & beverage events & festivals on both sides of the border. Presenting our first draft; look for it to grow as we head into the busy Vendimia & Baja Culinary Fest seasons over the next few months!

Ruta del Vino

Saturday, July 18: Ruta del Vino Bike Ride

The inaugural 40-mile race and 20-mile fun ride through Valle de Guadalupe promises wine tastings, cuisine from award-winning chefs and live local music (oh, and clean restrooms, too). Put on by the Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Ride folks, so it’s gotta be good, right?

Verbena Campestre

Saturday, July 25: Verbena Campestre, Vinedos San Cosme, south of Ensenada

A best bet; we’ll be there! $20 (or a bit less if you can figure out where to buy tix in advance) gets you a commemorative glass, wine tastings, live music and a fun, festive atmosphere. Not sure if food is included; we’ll find out! Look for a report after July 25. We’re really looking forward to our first visit to this annual event, which seems to be completely off the gringo radar.

vendimia

Saturday, July 25: Wine Tasting & Baja Ingredients, Mingei International Museum, Balboa Park
If we weren’t heading to Verbena Campestre to actually BE in Baja, we’d be here for sure. Mingei has recognized the important connection to Baja for years, thanks to the direction of Rob Sidner & outreach of Johanna Saretzki. Four or five years ago we learned about wineries like Lomita (off our favorite Valle de Guadalupe back road, the road to Ejido Porvenir) and food purveyors such as Baja Terra through Mingei events, and have since become fans/patrons of both. If you can’t get to Ensenada or the Valle, don’t miss this great taste of Baja in Balboa Park!

AUGUST CALENDAR: Stay tuned! It will be posted this weekend.

It’s open! Bracero Cocina in Little Italy

So excited! Fave Baja Chef Javier Plascencia’s new hotspot, Bracero Cocina de la Raiz, is six short blocks from my day job. We’ll check it out soon, but in the meantime, read this great preview and check out the cool pix from our friends at Life+Food & Club Tengo Hambre: http://www.lifeandfoodblog.com/step-inside-javier-plascencias-bracero-in-san-diego/

The Fourth Down South: Something Old, Something New

A fantastic three days in Northern Baja!

IMG_0560

Highlights included dinner at old fave La Estancia in Rosarito with Warren & Natalie;

IMG_0569IMG_0566

breakfast at a new spot, Kabaco by the Sea in Rosarito (nice setting, not crowded, but hard to beat Los Pelicanos, just one block south);

IMG_0556IMG_0555

and cocktails at the oceanfront Las Rocas. But the piece de resistance? Our jaunt to

IMG_0570IMG_0572

Valle de Guadalupe, first stopping at fave winery Las Nubes, then to a newer restaurant: Olivia El Asador del Porvenir, for their 1st anniversary. A leisurely five courses, paired

IMG_0574IMG_0575

with cerveza & vino, cooked to perfection & beautifully presented by Chef Giannina

IMG_0579IMG_0580

IMG_0584IMG_0593 IMG_0602

Gavaldon, Cordon Bleu Culinary College grad, in a beautiful setting. What a special afternoon! Great to meet the young, very talented Chef and her mom, plus spunky artist Vania Vananina and check out her fun paper mache pigs. And back to ‘Rito in time for for fireworks!

IMG_0603CR&ChefGianninaIMG_0596PigsOnPiano

Celebrating the 4th in Baja!

Olivia2cropHeading down for the weekend; hope to check out Olivia El Asador del Porvenir’s 1st anniversary event in Valle de Guadalupe. Thank you Miguel Chairez of Casa Artelexia for the tip! Stay tuned to find out where we end up; one never knows, since our mantra is adopted from the People’s Guide to Mexico: “Wherever you go . . . there you are!”