La Noria at Hotel Hacienda
The Hotel Hacienda Beach Resort is Cabo’s second original hotel. With all its Old World charm, La Noria (The Well) is in keeping with the original décor of the hotel—traditionally Mexican. Walking in, you feel transported back in time to the 1800’s. With its heavy wood and iron chandeliers, well-shaped fountain, natural rock walls and worn Saltillo floors, it is an ideal spot to capture the true Mexican spirit and what better way than on Saturday night when they hold their buffet-style Mexican Fiesta. A romantic choice for two would be the Flying Surf and Turf, a combination of whole Lobster or Grilled Shrimp, Game Hen with Mango Sauce and your choice of Filet Mignon or New York Steak. If you’re a seafood lover try their Seafood Extravaganza, an astonishing array of whole lobster, stuffed shrimp, shrimp pernod, grilled catch of the day, breaded catch of the day, octopus al chipotle, and scallops in white wine. La Noria is also open for breakfast and lunch, from 6:30am to 10pm. At the Hotel Hacienda in Cabo San Lucas, follow the cobblestones past the lobby and fountain, then turn right up the stairs. Telephone: 143-0122 ext. 2106.

La Parrillada Bar and Grill
If it’s BBQ you crave—beef, seafood or chicken hot off the grill—then La Parrillada Bar and Grill is the place to hang your hat. This is Cabo’s version of a true country BBQ restaurant. Just up a couple of blocks from Plaza Las Glorias on Hidalgo, you’ll find Sonora steaks being grilled and served Mexican rancho-style. Set in just off the street, you’ll walk into an old colonial ranchero with the delicious smells of meats being grilled to perfection. La Parrillada is known for their Arrechera (marinated skirt steak) and even more so for there their BBQ ribs. In fact, they have a great daily special, all-you-can-eat BBQ ribs at a very reasonable price. Of course, they have other fabulous grilled items on the menu, such as Grilled Jumbo Shrimp, a variety of kabobs, pork loin, and lobster. We went on a weekend and discovered it has also become a favorite of the local residents, and I can see why. Service was excellent and the friendly, courteous staff made for a very pleasant experience. After your meal, the excitement of Cabo nightlife and the colorful shops that line the streets await you, all within close walking distance. Open from 2pm to 11pm daily. Telephone: 143-7424

La Republica
Discreetly hidden in a romantic candlelit setting, La Republica is a Colonial style, courtyard restaurant on the corner of Morelos and 16 de Septiembre in Cabo San Lucas. The mood is very soothing and low key, the music soft and there’s not a detail missed. Sip an excellent Margarita or choose from the very well rounded wine list with a surprisingly large selection of wines by the glass. The satisfying menu is sure to please devotees of fine innovative Mexican cuisine. For starters, the Black Runner Bean Soup with bacon, chiles and fresh lime cream is a sophisticated take on a Mexican staple. Salads are delicious and refreshing and the Three Corn Tortilla Soup is very satisfying. Entrées range from Shrimp Enchiladas to Charbroiled Rack of Lamb in chipotle sauce with mint chile honey, or try the exquisite Filet Mignon or Medallions of Jumbo Shrimp. Lovely desserts and special coffees complete a fine meal. Upscale and quite a find, one of Los Cabos’ best restaurants. Open 6pm to 11pm daily, reservations are suggested. Telephone: 143-3400.

Las Palmas Restaurant and Sushi Bar
If you choose to enjoy lunch or dinner by the beach, Las Palmas Restaurant and Sushi Bar will definitely meet anyone’s expectations. Las Palmas is one of the finer choices on Playa Médano in Cabo San Lucas. The Sushi Bar is one of the best in Cabo. You will find a variety of your favorite types of sushi or sashimi, all very fresh. Choose a table at the elegant deck next to the sand and enjoy a splendid view of Cabo San Lucas bay. The seafood dishes are masterfully prepared. Hawaiian Style Shrimp, Fresh Clams and Lobster Thermidor are just some of the delights you can enjoy at this friendly family oriented restaurant. For a more romantic dinner you can request a moonlit table on the beach. The sounds of Latin music accompany your evening as you relax and allow the Las Palmas staff to serve you in style. For dessert we recommend you try the flan (smooth and creamy) and a Mexican coffee. After that, it’s a pleasant walk on the beach back to the Cabo San Lucas nightlife. Open daily from 11am to 11pm. On Playa El Médano next to the Hotel Meliá San Lucas. Telephone: 143-0447.

The Restaurant at Las Ventanas al Paraiso
Extremely private, the exclusive Las Ventanas al Paraiso resort endows Los Cabos with an intimate and casually opulent respite from the rest of the world. Voted one of the best hotels in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine, Las Ventanas is nestled between the Meliá Cabo Real and Casa del Mar hotels at the Cabo Real resort. All dining is by reservation only, and while not overly stuffy or formal, restaurant guests not staying at the resort will want to wear resort attire for the occasion. The dining pavilion sits poolside offering easterly views of the ocean and the 15th hole of the Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course. The cuisine is French Mediterranean, expertly overseen by Executive Chef Pascual Legrain. The eclectic menu changes daily and fuses French with Mediterranean and Haute-Mexican top notes. Legrain enhances his signature style using fresh Mexican ingredients with Mediterranean spices. A recent menu included Greek Style Shrimp Salad with Crisp Phyllo Pastry and entrées of Grilled Filet Mignon with Portabello and Oyster Mushrooms, Grilled Cabrilla with Pesto, or Roasted Medallions of Venison with Four Spices and Sautéed Vegetables. Service is impeccable as one would expect from a resort known for its high powered business and celebrity clientele. Save room for a selection of Chef Gilles Delaloy’s unbelievable desserts. You’ll find that they also have an extensive wine cellar, fine Cuban cigars and a world-class bar. Lunch may be taken at the more informal Sea Grill, equally as fine and not quite as hard on the pocketbook. Telephone: 144-0320.

Latitude 22+
As you enter downtown Cabo San Lucas, on the right side of Lázaro Cárdenas before the only stoplight, you will see a Cabo tradition, Latitude 22+. In the same location for the past twelve years, but looking like 50, Latitude 22+ offers a different atmosphere than most restaurants in Los Cabos. When you walk in you’ll feel like you just stepped into Donovan’s Reef. The walls are covered with pictures and clippings of fishing in Baja California and loads of maritime paraphernalia. Latitude 22+ isn’t just a bar, even though it is great one, it’s a very tasty restaurant that offers a full menu with good variety. Try the excellent Prime Rib and BBQ Ribs. Whether you want a hamburger or a blue-plate special of Meat Loaf for lunch, you will appreciate the large portions and quality of the meal. The Ocean Dinners of either shrimp or fish come in a variety of recipes such as Veracruz, Ranchero, or the beer boiled peel and eat shrimp that are absolutely addictive. For those fishermen out there who have had a good day on the water this is a great place to take your catch. They will be more than happy to cook it up for you and serve it to you in style. What a setting for reminiscing about your day and comparing your catch to the pictures on the wall. Also the headquarters of the Pete Lopiccola Memorial Marlin Tournament. Open at 8am and not closing until 11pm, Latitude 22+ is a one of a kind Cabo San Lucas experience. Telephone: 143-1516.

Lenny’s Deli
The owner of this wonderful deli, Lenny Gotfried, has been in the local restaurant business for over thirty years. This deli is a welcome addition to Cabo San Lucas with its vast selection of imported meats, cold cuts, imported cheeses and approximately thirty types of wines to choose from; it’s a regular grocery stop for the locals here. The bread is freshly baked, with a great selection of rye, whole wheat, sourdough, Italian white, French wheat and French baguette. Lenny’s also makes mouth-watering pastries and cakes. Their breakfast menu contains such classics as Eggs Benedict, Banana Pancakes and Bagels with Lox and Cream Cheese. Lunch includes anything from Lamb Shanks to a Cobb Salad. They offer all the classic deli sandwiches with the Rueben being the most popular; and most lunch entrées come with potato salad and coleslaw. Lenny’s Deli is a home-style deli/restaurant that is open for breakfast and lunch from 7am to 4pm and accepts cash only. They also make hearty box lunches and food to go. Located just off the corner of Lázaro Cárdenas and Paseo del Pescador, across from the Pemex. Telephone: 143-8380.

Mango Deck
This restaurant and beach club on Playa El Médano offers an excellent view—beach and food all in one. Finding it for the first time can be a bit of a treasure hunt; discovering it the reward. Look for it next to The Office Restaurant near the foot of Paseo Pescador. Mango Deck is an excellent choice for breakfast or brunch. With an excellent view of the Arch and the sound of the ocean by your side you can enjoy Huevos Rancheros or Pan Frances (French Toast) with fresh-squeezed juices. Later in the afternoon enjoy the happy hour specials from 1pm to 6pm with two-for-one beers until 10pm. Try a Mango Rum Deck or a Chi Chi made with preferred spirits. On Sundays, they serve an afternoon buffet of fruit, salads, ceviche, hamburgers and prime cuts of beef and chicken off the grill. Mango Deck is very popular with locals; the shaded tables keep you comfortably out of the sun while your feet stay in the sand. If you would like to go for a walk or leave your table for a swim you can request a personal locker for your valuables. Try Mango Deck for dinner, too—lobster and shrimp top the list with a good selection of Mexican and imported wines. Open daily, from 9am to 10pm (or until you’re satisfied). Telephone: 143-0901

Mare Nostrum at Pueblo Bonito RoSÉ
Overlooking Playa El Médano, Mare Nostrum, in the stunning Pueblo Bonito Rose resort, is the perfect place for a business lunch or a romantic dinner. With marble floors and crisp white decor coupled with light music playing from overhead speakers, Mare Nostrum is elegant and sophisticated. By day you can dine watching sunbathers beside the pool or keep an eye on your kids taking the wave runners out for a ride. By night as things quiet down, enjoy the serenity the beach has to offer as the waves gently lap ashore and the cool breeze welcomes you after a warm sunny day. Chef Odin Vargas features International cuisine with Lobster and Pepper Steak being very popular dishes, but what makes this restaurant special is their theme nights. On Tuesdays its Neptuno Night, with a vast assortment of seafood specialties. Wednesday is Grill Night, featuring Steak, Chicken, Ribs and fresh fish off the Barbecue. Thursday is a traditional Mexican buffet with all the tastes of México you could imagine. Friday is the popular Italian Night, where you can enjoy antipasto and pastas as well as other well-crafted Italian dishes. Saturday, Sunday and Monday there’s a standard menu with a Champagne Brunch Sundays from 8am to 1pm. Pueblo Bonito Rosé is between Pueblo Bonito Blanco and Club Cascadas in Cabo. Turn southeast (toward El Médano Beach) at the intersection (there is a stoplight) of Highway 1 and the bypass road to Todas Santos; turn right at the next cross street; left at the entrance just past Club Cascadas and use Valet parking. The restaurant is on the right just past the pool. Mare Nostrum is open daily between the hours of 7 am to 10 pm. Telephone: 143-5000.

Margaritavilla
Sit back and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner on the open-air terrace or inside in the comfortable dining rooms. Enjoy early morning breakfast of Mexican delights overlooking the yachts and fishing boats in the Cabo San Lucas marina or enjoy a romantic sunset dinner with Margaritas and Mariachis. Breakfast is full of new flavors for the adventurous. Once the afternoon sun heats up the day you may want a refreshing Margarita; well that’s how they got their name. Margaritavilla serves an 18-oz fresh fruit Margarita that is plenty for two and a fun challenge for one. Daiquiris are also a house specialty prepared with fresh strawberry, lime, pineapple or kiwi. The bar area is less like a sports bar and more like a Mexican cantina with over-hanging television sets and a mist-blowing fan for those hot baseball afternoons. Margaritavilla is a good place to loosen up and make friends after a few of those splendid house specialty drinks. For a light lunch we recommend the Tacos de Camaron (shrimp tacos) made with homemade tortillas. Also recommended are the Enchiladas de Pollo smothered with red or green sauce. At sunset, it’s pure fiesta. Elegantly dressed Mariachis appear and fill the air with the sounds of traditional México. You may or may not recognize the tunes but it’s impossible not to feel the emotion. Take your time and enjoy the view from the upper deck dining area. From this vantage point, the view of the marina at sunset is unique and impressive. The dinner menu is extensive—some of the highlights include the Parillada de Mariscos Para Dos (seafood platter with a bit of all the ocean has to offer, for two) and Camarones a la Coco (shrimp covered with shredded coconut) served with delicious papaya chutney. The Mexican dishes are not too spicy yet very flavorful. Open 7 days a week from 7am to 11pm. Located at Plaza Bonita on the Cabo San Lucas Marina. Telephone: 143-0001.

Mariscos Mocambo
If you are in the mood for a traditional Mexican seafood experience Mocambo is high on the list of top choices in all of Los Cabos. Located in the heart of downtown Cabo San Lucas, this family restaurant is a favorite of locals for late lunches and lively evening dinners. The large palapa (thatch roof) gives you the feeling of being in the State of Veracruz, the Gulf State from where Mocambo draws its name. The menu is full of México’s best-known seafood dishes. Ceviche de Pescado or Cocktail de Camarón are traditional starters. The seafood platters are as enjoyable to look at as they are to eat; filled with all the best the sea has to offer, and plenty of it, too. Pescado a la Veracruzana is a house specialty as well as oven baked fish filet and seafood steaming hot at your table with aromas that will last in your memory for a lifetime. Enjoy the fast rhythm of the waiters as they move around the spacious restaurant floor. The sounds and smells emerging from of the open view kitchen are unique to a typical Mexican restaurant. The decoration is simple and the waiters are pleasant and friendly. You would be hard pressed to find more authentic Mexican seafood flavors at any other restaurant in the area. Open daily from 11am to 11pm. On the corner of Leona Vicario and 20 de Noviembre in Cabo San Lucas. Telephone: 143-6070

Mediterraneo Restaurant
This new nautically-themed restaurant at Sheraton Hacienda del Mar features three levels allowing patrons sweeping ocean views while enjoying fine, decidedly Mediterranean cuisine. The décor favors grey, blue and ochre tones with polished steel railings and an exterior façade of white sail shapes, giving the restaurant the feel of an expansive, elegant sailboat. Executive Chef Jean Pierre Rivault, formerly of Le Provence and the Westin Regina has crafted a mouth-watering menu full of the aromas of southern France that won’t disappoint those in search of something a little different. Starters include the wonderful Mil Hojas (phyllo pastry with vegetable confit and smoked salmon served with a beet vinaigrette) or the flavorful Cream of Bouillabaisse with Lobster and a touch of pernod. Entrées are a diverse mix, for something different try the very good Shrimp Ravioli with spinach or the Tunisian Fish and Seafood Couscous with mint and lime. There is a fine selection of seafood and meat entrées including a succulent Rack of Lamb, done with herbs, mint and mustard and the Beef Filet with shallots and red onion marmalade; and fish lovers won’t want to miss the Filet de Huachinango (red snapper). With a well rounded wine list, first class bar and excellent dessert selection, Mediterraneo is sure to be a popular choice in Los Cabos for many years to come. Resort attire is required and reservations are suggested. Tele-phone: 145-8000.

Mi Casa
Located across from the picturesque Town Square and within walking distance to the downtown nightlife in Cabo San Lucas, Mi Casa sets the standard for that traditional Mexican dining experience. Situated in a colonial-style brick building, Mi Casa makes you feel as if you just stepped into old México. Upon entering the restaurant the first thing you notice is the pure Mexican décor with murals of brightly painted folk art. Shrines of candles adorn the walls that, over the past nine years, have melted and flowed into beautiful wax-falls. After passing through the bar area you will enter a lovely traditional terraced courtyard with an open and airy feeling with plenty of refreshing shade. Nights at Mi Casa are magical for both food and romance. The authentic Mexican cuisine offered here covers the full spectrum of traditional dishes from throughout México. Chiles en Nogada, a specialty of the house from the state of Puebla, is a royal stuffed pepper with a fresh walnut Nogada cream sauce. A highly requested meal, Mole Poblano, is a festive dish of chicken in a dark mole sauce of peppers, seeds, chocolate and spices. Meat eaters will be satisfied with the Filete de Res Hacendero, a hacienda-style filet of beef marinated in olive oil and balsamic vinegar with delicious rosemary, thyme and oregano herb dressing—absolutely wonderful. Mi Casa’s seafood selection is great and my personal favorite is the Pescado Sarandeado, a whole butterflied red snapper grilled over a mesquite grill. The bar has a selection of national as well as imported libations and the margaritas are as smooth as they come. Service is good, the staff friendly and very helpful in explaining the many menu options. As you enjoy your meal in this peaceful setting, a single guitarist plays and sings traditional songs, and will play your favorite romantic song upon request. Mi Casa is definitely a must for a true Mexican meal. Open from 2pm to 4pm for lunch (except Sunday) and every evening from 5:30pm to 10pm. Due to its popularity, reservations are a must. Telephone: 143-1933.

Mi Cocina at Casa Natalia
A welcome and recent addition to the heart of San José del Cabo, Casa Natalia is an 18-room boutique hotel created, owned and managed by European-born Nathalie and Loic Tenoux. When you walk into Casa Natalia you will find yourself in an intimate and sophisticated space. With a minimalist, contemporary feel, this upscale establishment would hold its own anywhere in the world. The open-air interior courtyard is breathtaking and clearly has been designed with loving care and attention to details. Colorful, hand-plastered walls in vivid blues, yellows, and terra-cotta offset by hand hewn wood beams, towering palms and dramatic open flame braziers, lend a contemporary, dramatic air to the dining area. Casa Natalia’s culinary gem is Mi Cocina, a chic gourmet restaurant featuring Nouvelle Mexican-Euro cuisine expertly prepared by Chef Margarita Pulido who made the wonderful El Primero Piso restaurant in Patzcuaro, Michoacan such a success. Her inspired creations take advantage of the great variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, cheeses and spices of her native México. Her handmade desserts are almost too beautiful to eat. Popular dishes are the Natalia Filete, a filet of beef with a creamy mild chili sauce, or Camarones Del Chef, shrimp sautéed with rosemary, olive oil and sundried tomatoes. Mi Cocina boasts a fine wine list, with something to accompany every taste, and an excellent hideaway bar for intimate moments. Casa Natalia brims with a sense of natural class and comfort San José is becoming known for. On Boulevard Mijares, behind the town plaza. Open for dinner only from 6:30pm to 11pm, reservations are strongly advised. Telephone 142-5100.

Oasis Bar and Grill
Located in the courtyard of Marina Sol, the Oasis Bar and Grill is nestled alongside a beautiful pool surrounded by a true oasis atmosphere. Numerous palm trees not only shade the picturesque, park-like setting but also add to the ambiance of the courtyard and open-air restaurant. The tranquility of the surroundings makes for a romantic dining experience. Offering traditional Mexican dishes the Oasis also has a wide selection of American favorites. This restaurant is a secluded enclave and a fine place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. The breakfast menu includes egg dishes, fresh fruits and delicious Chilaquiles with chicken. Try a terrific hamburger or tasty fish and chips for lunch. For dinner, the menu is extensive, with nightly specials and something for everyone. Food is expertly prepared on a mes-quite grill. The Steak and Lobster combo is one of the most requested entrées as is the Grilled Whole Red Snapper. The daily specials vary, it may be Prime Rib tonight, then fresh Wahoo the next. Prices are very reasonable and service is prompt and courteous. The Oasis also has a bar with great drinks you can enjoy as you sit alongside the pool. This is a very pleasant experience and should be tried. After leaving the Oasis you have only a block or two before you are in town or at Playa El Médano. Located on Paseo del Pescador, in the Marina Sol Resort. Open from 9am to 10:30pm. Telephone: 143-6285.