Counting down to Sabor de Baja!

It’s just four weeks ’til Baja Norte’s gastro party of the year, Sabor de Baja. And, this is the fifth annual Sabor; all the more reason to attend! Sabor is a true labor of love by Chef Bo Bendana and her hubby, Dennis Sein. This dynamic duo pulls together Baja chefs, wineries, craft brewers and more for one fabulous evening in the gardens of the Rosarito Beach Hotel. And, Sabor is a friendly but serious competition; a panel of judges has the daunting task of sampling each dish along with its beverage pairing, and then selecting the best of the best. Attendees get to vote, too, as a People’s Choice Award is presented each year! We are excited that several new-ish restaurants will be participating this year:

Sabor takes place Wednesday, August 28 at the aforementioned RB Hotel. Spring for VIP tix at $90 and get early access at 5:30 pm, tastings and beverage pairings, plus seating at tables near the stage, waiter service, a goodie bag, and the commemorative wine glass. General admission guests ($70) will have access at 6 pm, tastings and beverage pairings, and the commemorative wine glass. Everyone can enjoy live music and dancing, including Rosarito favorite Maryam Malak, whom we were fortunate to hear during a delicious and very filling brunch at Ruben’s last Sunday! Read my recap of Sabor 2018, then click here for more information, including how to get tickets. See you at Sabor!   

Valley Girl Wines wins the 2018 People’s Choice Award!

Sizzling Summer Soirees on Tap

Summer’s here, and the beautiful Baja festival season is in full bloom. For example, this Saturday, July 27th, there are three fantastic options. We wish we could be in three places at once, but we’ve not quite figured out how to clone ourselves!

Verbena Campestre, Vinedos San Cosme, 2 pm – This family-owned winery sure knows how to put on a gran fiesta! Because it is located at the start of la antigua ruta del vino south of Ensenada – and not in the now red-hot Valle de Guadalupe – it has yet to be discovered by many, and it is muy Mexicano. Definitely worth the trip! Get there early, grab a table in the shade, sample offerings from several Baja wineries, enjoy some regional cuisine (for purchase, but reasonably priced), then groove to the live music and shake your tail feathers on the dance floor! We’ve always had a great time at this fest. Tickets >>

Team EatDrinkBaja at a previous Verbena Campestre.

Cocina La Baja, Estero Beach Hotel Resort, 2 pm – Seafood lovers, unite! You’ll find Team EatDrinkBaja at this event next Saturday. It’s the third annual, but we’ll be attending for our first time. Promoters claim Cocina La Baja will present all of Baja’s fish and seafood in one place, with Baja wine, craft beer and live music, to boot! And we love Estero Beach; it should be a sublime setting for an awesome afternoon. Tickets >>

One big fish at Cocina La Baja!

Valle Wine Fest, Foro Santo Tomas, 4 pm – Not to be confused with the Valle Food & Wine Fest coming up in October, this fest looks more like a concert than a food fest, with reserved, tier-priced seating facing a big stage, ranging from approximately $47 to $145 (VIP) per person. Prices include four food tastes, four wine tastings, as well as two samples of craft beer. There will be live music, with headliner Matute: Nuevo Show Planeta Retro Tour; the band appears to specialize in covers of 80s English language hits, but I love how they incorporated this rocking marching band in this video! Could be fun. Tickets >>

SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR SCREEN!!

Will post more info about these events soon, but we suggest you save the dates:

Friday, Aug. 2Muestra del Vino, Centro Social Cívico y Cultural Riviera de Ensenada

Saturday, Aug. 10 – Baja Blues Fest main event, Rosarito Beach Hotel

Friday, Aug. 16 – Vendimia Oaxaca en Valle, Finca La Divina, Valle de Guadalupe

Saturday, Aug 17 – Verbena Bodegas de Santo Tomas, Ensenada

Sunday, Aug. 18 – Paella Fest/Contest, Vinedos de Liceaga, Valle de Guadalupe (a best bet)

Wednesday, Aug. 28 – Sabor de Baja, Rosarito Beach Hotel (another best bet)

Saturday, Aug. 31 & Sunday, Sept. 1Rosarito Art Fest, Puerto Nuevo Baja Hotel & Villas

Saturday, Oct 5 – Valle Wine & Food Fest, Finca Altozano, Valle de Guadalupe

Ciao for now! Hasta pronto.