Rosarito & Conchas: What a Weekend!

We picked the perfect weekend for our stay at the Rosarito Beach Hotel, won at last year’s Baja Blues Fest raffle. Heading south on April Fool’s Day, we stopped at Mariscos Tito’s for a late lunch. It’s the big blue canopy-covered establishment east of McDonald’s in Rosarito, on the right just after you cross the bridge. Bob warned me about large servings, so I thought I was being conservative when I ordered just one shrimp tostada and one mariscos al ajillo taco.

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One shrimp tostada easily turns into three @ Mariscos Tito’s

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Mariscos al Ajillo taco @ Mariscos Tito’s

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Part of the offerings at Mariscos Tito’s

HA! One would have been PLENTY. Tito’s tostadas come with two ADDITIONAL crispy tortillas, since the main one is heaped SO high, you need to spread the topping around. They were both delicious and fresh; the mariscos ajillo was definitely the most interesting. I’ll be back to try their almejas gratinadas, the pescado sarandeado and the molcajete de camaron. It’s a family atmosphere, kind funky (tacos are served on plates covered with plastic bags for easy clean-up), but the flavors – and the values – are incredible.

Highlights of our Rosarito Beach stay included a beautiful sunset from our balcony, great breakfast at Los Pelicanos (who knew they had such a wonderful fruit plate?), relaxing massages in RBH’s Casa Playa Spa (I pray the Familia Torres never tears down that lovely building), and dinner at Ollie’s Pizza with friends Ron & Terri Raposa.

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Sunset from our room at the Rosarito Beach Hotel

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Fruit plate at Los Pelicanos in Rosarito Beach

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A relaxed Bob in the lobby of the lovely Casa Playa Spa @ RB Hotel

The REAL reason we chose this weekend? Festival de las Conchas y el Vino Nuevo at Hotel Coral, just north of Ensenada. We spread word about the fantastic time we had last year, and were were THRILLED when two groups of friends joined us this year, increasing our entourage to nearly a dozen. The well-organized event was WAY more crowded than last year, but food (oysters, mussels, clams and an occasional paella), wine, chefs and winemakers were still VERY accessible. I love the educational component (chef demos, displays of Baja seafood products) and the opportunity to meet interesting attendees. We loved seeing and/or chatting with everyone, including Drew Deckman of Deckman’s, Diego Hernandez of Corazon de Tierra, Adria Marina of Don Ramen, Javier Plasciencia of Finca Altozano and Memo Ramirez of La Concheria (among others, to be sure). Tru Miller of Adobe Guadalupe was proudly pouring the latest release of her Uriel rosé (DELICIOUS!); great to see Natalia Badan of Mogor Badan and folks from faves Rondo del Valle, Finca la Carrodilla, Cava Maciel, Relieve Vinicola and Vinicola Retorno on hand.

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It got a bit crowded, but there was plenty of food, wine and fun to go around

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Gotta love these local products!

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Chef Drew serving up oysters

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17-year-old winemaker (Ana Sofia?) proudly showing off her tasty Flor de Roca Cabernet

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Part of Team EatDrinkBaja!

The 2016 Baja festival season is JUST beginning. Stay tuned for a look ahead at the fun and delicious opportunities, and I hope you will attend the Festival de las Conchas y el Vino Nuevo in 2017!

Gracias for photos by Bob Gove & Rafael Rush 

 

 

Baja Bits & Bites

We made the rounds of Rosarito on Labor Day weekend. Three great breakfasts: Los Pelicanos, La EstanciaCafe Conrado (in San Antonio del Mar).

Los Pelicanos' chile poblano, mushroom, corn & cheese omeletLos Pelicanos' "toreados" - great on anything! You've got to ask for them.

A La Estancia waterwheelConrado SignVeggie Scramble w/Oaxaca cheese & avocado at Cafe Conrado

Saturday afternoon found us at The Lighthouse in La Misión for a tasting of wines from Valle de Guadalupe’s Nativo, paired with tasty (and beautifully presented) tidbits from Rosarito’s Aki Va! (a restaurant we are not familiar with!)

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George at The LighthouseOfferings from Vinicola Nativo

With Benjamin of Vinicola NativoThe Aki Va chef serves yummy & beautiful polenta

The polenta from Rosarito's Aki Va!Ravioli from Aki Va!

While we waited for the tasting to set up, we ordered some Lighthouse bar botanas – jalapeño poppers (stuffed with yummy tuna) and spicy chicken wings. Always good to chat with Lighthouse proprietor, George! And good to know they are expanding beyond their sports-bar image. Of the four Nativo wines offered, we loved the Cucapah 2013 (Nebbiolo); first runner-up was the Pai-Pai 2012 (Cabernet Sauvignon & Monastrell, which we learned from Nativo’s Benjamin Pena Guerrero is same as Mourvedre). The others: not as good.

Bob @ Calafia (shot from my comfy, shady perch)Ollie's salmon pizza

Yummy!Our neighbors' table @ Ollie's

While Bob surfed Calafia Sunday afternoon, I sauntered up to the restaurant/bar’s balcony to relax with margaritas in the shade, a great live band (covers of Enanitos Verdes & Soda Stereo!) and a wonderful view of the line-up. Later we headed to Ollie’s Pizza, where we petted Ollie (a large, fluffy black dog), chatted with owner Richard, and scarfed down a fantastic pizza with smoked salmon, cream cheese, fresh tomatoes and capers. Perfect summer dinner! GREAT FIND: on our way to drop in on friends Rafael, Shelly & Marie in Rancho Reynoso, we stopped at the Don Pisto in Puerto Nuevo (Lobster Town was going off!) to discover they carry an all-star selection of Baja wines. My new BFF Vera at the store told me they recently amped up their selection.

El Cielo wines @ Don Pisto Puerto NuevoSanto Tomas wines @ Don Pisto Puerto Nuevo

Another successful weekend eating and drinking in Baja. ¡Salud!

Muchas gracias for photos by Bob Gove.