A Feast for All Palates

The Corridor and San José del Cabo mix it up with a bouquet of flavors

By Cecilia Escribano

The Corridor

There are a little more than 18 miles of highway between San Lucas and San José, and at least five restaurants that are definitely worth visiting. Are you in search of an exotic, culinary experience? Then, your destination should be Pitahayas, a restaurant whose fusion of Pacific and Asian cuisine has earned it the prestigious Star Diamond Award. Here, you must enter Santiago‘s wine cellar, where you can choose from more than 400 bottles of wine and ask for a tasting menu that includes food and wine pairings.

As you draw near to San José along the highway, you’ll find The Shoppes at Palmilla, home to two of the best restaurants in the region, Manuel’s Creative Cuisine and Nick-San. Chef Manuel Arredondo is the owner of the former, where he runs the kitchen and creates such delicious dishes as crab cakes and New Zealand lamb. The establishment is warmed by the presence of his wife Virny, who’s in charge of public relations for the restaurant. The famous Japanese restaurant Nick-San continues to be a hit here. Under the watchful eyes of Angel Carbajal and Masayuki Niikura, this restaurant has found success not only in Los Cabos but also in Mexico City and Los Angeles. The incomparable flavors and the perfect fusion of Japanese and Mexican ingredients (don’t miss the cilantro sashimi!) have made Nick-San a favorite of Los Cabos’ tourists and residents. If you’re staying in San Lucas and don’t want to drive, don’t worry: There’s a Nick-San very close to the Marina behind the Plaza de la Danza. You can eat facing the sea while listening to the sound of the crashing surf and gazing at the reflection of the moon on the Sea of Cortés.

Within the Cabo Surf Hotel, you’ll find a huge thatched roof next to the beach that’s home to 7 Seas Seafood Grille, a romantic spot for visitors, particularly when there’s a full moon. The creations are inspired by both the New and Old Worlds, and everything has a touch of Mexico and the Far East, a perfect combination for creating exquisite flavors. The homemade bread and desserts are delicious.

Deckman’s is one of the most recent additions to the culinary offerings of The Corridor, captivating locals and visitors alike with live music and a great selection of wines, many from the Guadalupe Valley. You can enjoy a variety of distinctive creations in different sizes, in which owner and chef Drew Deckman utilizes sustainable and organic products grown in Baja California.

San José del Cabo

Let us guide you to the best restaurants in this area: Take the road to the Hotel Zone and turn left onto Mijares Boulevard, the street that leads to the main plaza. But slow down because just a few blocks before you arrive at the main plaza, you’ll see Habanero’s Gastro Grill & Tequila Bar, a friendly restaurant on the left-hand side that offers elegant food in a casual ambience. This spot is a favorite of both tourists and residents alike looking for a pleasing and intimate place offering patio dining and friendly service. Any entree on the menu, created and prepared by owner Tadd Chapman, will surprise you with its unparalleled flavor. To end on a sweet note, be sure and order the Key lime pie or the chocolate truffle cheesecake.

As you continue down Mijares Boulevard, two blocks before the plaza on the right-hand side lies Don Sanchez Cantina Restaurante, the best option for a casual dinner in a relaxed atmosphere. Run by the owners of Habanero’s, Don Sanchez serves fish, seafood and meat dishes, all prepared with an authentic Mexican touch. There’s also live music by a Cuban orchestra every Friday and Saturday night. A few blocks away and a little further removed from the center of San José, El Chilar is a great option for trying the delicious Mexican creations prepared by renowned Chef Armando Montaño. You’ll have more than 140 vintages of wine to choose from here, in addition to dozens of tequilas, all served up in a friendly, warm environment where the menu changes monthly.

Mi Cocina, the restaurant inside the Casa Natalia Hotel, lies on one end of San José plaza. Loic and Nathalie Tenoux, the owners of this charming tourist attraction, have created an enchanting locale. Loic’s vast international experience has enabled him to create a sophisticated and unpretentious menu utilizing local ingredients. With an equally pleasing atmosphere and a patio complete with trees lit by the moon and stars, Tequila offers exquisite Mediterranean dishes prepared with Mexican and Asian influences, all cooked on a grill or in a wood-fired oven. The intense flavors of each recipe comes from the organic ingredients, all harvested from the owners’ Huerta Los Tamarindos, in which they grows all types of vegetables that have earned international recognition for their excellence and quality. You can also take cooking classes, an organic tour and even celebrate special events at Huerta Los Tamarindos. Another well-guarded secret of this charming and historical town is the Restaurant H, housed within a restored colonial mansion that provides a warm and intimate dining experience. Here, you’ll find a menu created by Chef Luis Herrera Thatcher, featuring both classic and cutting-edge recipes from Mexico and the Old World.

Something For Every Taste
San José boasts a couple of perfect spots for those desiring a more laid-back place, where they can watch football, baseball and other sports while enjoying dishes from a simple but delicious menu. Baja Brewing Co., the brewery that also has a location in San Lucas, is an indisputable classic. Its variety of beers, live music performed by the best local bands and very satisfying foods have made Baja Brewing Co. everyone’s meeting spot. The other great destination is Baja Blue Bar & Grill, where patrons enjoy happy hour, music spun by DJs and performed by live bands, sporting events transmitted live and two-for-one pizza specials. It’s located outside of central San José in the Hotel Zone behind La Mega. Baja Blue Bar & Grill boasts the best of both Mexican and American foods, such as hamburgers, fajitas, pizzas, fish and more.

Los Cabos offers an outstanding gastronomical world full of variety and with impeccable attention to detail.

Click here for a quick list of bars and restaurants in Los Cabos to help you plan where to eat, dine, party and drink.