Showing posts with label mexico. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mexico. Show all posts

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort in Los Cabos Offers New Hands On Foodie Experiences


Nestled on a secluded 2.5-mile stretch of pristine beach in Cabo San Lucas, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort is an all-inclusive luxury resort catering exclusively to adults seeking a tranquil oceanfront hideaway.

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort has amped up its guest experience with a series of exclusive, one-of-a-kind “happenings” designed to create exceptional vacation experiences and special memories.

Pueblo Bonito Pacifica
“We’ve devised a series of unique, hands-on activities,” said Mizraim Corpus, Pacifica’s General Manager, adding that there is no extra charge to resort guests for these “happenings” and experiences. “One of the knocks against all-inclusive hotels is that surcharges typically apply for above-and-beyond experiences,” he said. “We deliver these special, personalized experiences free of charge to create a lasting emotional impact. We want guests to leave with great memories and think about coming back to see us.”

The Orchard Cooking Class, its name inspired by “La Huerta” (The Orchard) at The Market at Quivira (a purveyor of locally sourced organic produce), was created to appeal to avid “foodies” and would-be chefs. A maximum of eight guests are invited to participate in the open-air Orchard Cooking Class at Pacifica. Together with the Executive Chef, guests are encouraged to select and prepare vegetables and herbs for each dish. The chef then teaches guests how to create regional Baja cuisine, including favorites like roasted chilies stuffed with smoked marlin; an herbal vinaigrette that calls for finely chopped herbs grown in the hotel’s garden; and the classic “Tiradito Gabina,” seared fish cut into thin slices and served on a toasted flour tortilla with fresh garnishes. Once completed, the gourmet lunch is paired with well-chosen wines from Mexico’s Guadalupe Valley and served at a table set up beneath orange umbrellas. Recipes can be taken home so that guests can reproduce the dishes in their own kitchens.

Debuted last year, Hook & Cook, hosted by butlers from The Towers at Pacifica, invites guests to surf cast in some of the world’s richest fishing waters. “Even for novices, the butlers are very good at familiarizing guests with basic casting techniques,” Corpus said. “They work with guests to make sure they catch something,” typically sierra or roosterfish. Even if there’s no action, the butlers ensure that fresh fish is always available to make the resort’s signature mesa de ceviches using the house-made emulsions and salsas. Sashimi is also popular. Hook & Cook is normally scheduled for Wednesday morning, but Corpus explained that if the tide brings in fish, “we alert interested guests that the fish are running!” He added that special catches can be taken to the Pescados or Peninsula restaurants for a cooked preparation.

There’s nothing like a beachside clam bake for a fun, informal dining experience. The Clam Bake at Pacifica, staged on a pristine stretch of beach a stone’s throw from the ocean, is held on Thursday nights year-round. Designed as a pre-dinner “finger-food” event, guests are invited to sit around a natural fire pit on the beach, where the region’s famous Chocolata clams, drawn from San Carlos on the Pacific side and La Paz on the Sea of Cortes, are roasted over a mesquite fire. Also featured are a tempting array of hand-picked, fire-roasted root vegetables.

“These experiences or ‘happenings’ are not for large groups,” Corpus explained. “We keep the group size for the Clam Bake to about 10 guests for a more authentic Baja dining experience.”  

Guests who want to experience an unforgettable gastronomic experience can order the Steak Flambé at Siempre, one of Pacifica’s most popular restaurants. According to Corpus, the prime New York strip steak can be enjoyed in one of two ways:  cooked on hot river stones and flamed with mezcal or prepared with Himalayan salt, which imparts a unique flavor profile to the meat. “It’s a spectacle,” Corpus said. “Guests who observe another table enjoying the Steak Flambé often order it themselves.” Both preparations, available every night at Siempre, are paired with an exquisite collection of national and international wines.

The Mixology Class at Pacifica, invites guests to refine and expand their bartending skills with a master mixologist. Staged on Saturdays at the Peninsula Beach Bar, one of Pacifica’s most beautiful settings, the class is shown how to use hand-picked herbs and spices grown on property for Montiel’s creative concoctions, many of which feature Mexico’s most famous native spirits: tequila and mezcal. As at the Orchard Cooking Class, guests learn the appropriate salutation before imbibing: salud! (cheers). Montiel’s exceptional drink recipes can be recreated by guests back home.

In terms of personal luxury, Pacifica’s Beach Bed experience is a perennial favorite, especially for couples who have slipped away to Los Cabos for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Spaced along the beach, these comfortable, shaded platform beds are secluded and provide a nice alternative to the pool. Guests can snooze in the shade, canoodle, and stay late to take in a glorious sunset. Eight blissful hours of personalized service are available to Beach Bed patrons, from a breakfast catered by the butler staff to an extensive snacks and cocktail menu, all delivered bedside with a smile. Rocking beds are also available.  

Information provided by Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort 

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Pueblo Bonito Resorts Los Cabos Announces New Food Hall Concept


The Pueblo Bonito resorts in Los Cabos never cease to amaze me. They have just announced the opening of a new dining venue at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach.

The Market at Quivira, a unique culinary concept unlike any other in Los Cabos, has been unveiled at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort and has quickly established itself as a popular “foodie” destination.
The Market at Quivira
Photo: Betsy Anderson

Inspired by modern food halls found in major U.S. and European cities, including the Plaza Hotel in New York and Harrods in London, The Market, featuring an enticing array of eateries and a handsome central bar, has redefined the region’s gastronomic “food hall” experience. The spacious 15,000-square-meter facility, built at a cost of $5.5 million USD, offers open communal seating for more than 450 diners of all ages.  

The Market welcomes Pueblo Bonito resort guests to enjoy its array of food and beverage options with their all-inclusive plans. Only the chocolate shop is not included in the all-inclusive program.

The Market’s open-floor complex, designed to please all types of palates, features several distinctive restaurants as well as a coffee shop and a bar. These include:

       1950’s Diner – This classic American-style diner, accented by red-and-chrome décor, offers hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, milkshakes, homemade desserts and excellent breakfasts.
       El Asiatico – Asian cuisine is well-represented by a wide range of dishes, from traditional miso soup and Szechuan-style shrimps to delectable dumplings and other examples of Asian street food.
       La Creperia & La Heladeria – In addition to 24 flavors of homemade ice cream and gelato, La Creperia is turning out the best crepes (sweet or savory) in Los Cabos.
       El Deli – This bustling New York-style deli features the finest hot, cold or toasted sandwiches utilizing fresh-baked breads as well as selected meats, cheeses and condiments.
       El Italiano – Homemade fresh pastas, traditional lasagna and a mouth-watering variety of brick oven pizzas are available at El Italiano, which also offers a splendid array of Italian desserts.
       La Huerta – Specializing in fresh organic foods, La Huerta (‘The Orchard’) offers top-quality salads and vegetarian entrees, from a Portobello mushroom stuffed with quinoa and ceviche to a roasted beet salad served with blue cheese, arugula and walnuts.
       El Mexicano – A wide range of Mexican dishes is available here, from traditional sopas (soups) and tacos al pastor (native to central Mexico) to chiles en nogada--poblano chilis filled with shredded meat, aromatics, fruits and spices and topped with a walnut-based cream sauce and pomegranate seeds. 
       La Chocolateria – Situated near the entrance to The Market, this signature outpost artfully displays the finest-quality truffles, chocolates and macarons. Perfect for a sweet finish. Also popular as a gift. 
       El Bar – The Market’s lively circular bar, featuring a 360-degree panorama of the restaurants and food stalls, offers artisanal beers, selected wines from Mexico, Italy and California, and a range of spirits (including tequila and mezcal).
       La Cafeteria – This popular gathering spot offers custom-blended international coffees (four to six different blends daily) as well as hot or cold frappes and fresh-baked muffins, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls and more.
 
Looking ahead a Sports Bar, situated on a spacious terrace adjoining The Market and the first of its kind at Pueblo Bonito, will open later this year.

For more information about Pueblo Bonito Golf & Spa Resorts, visit www.pueblobonito.com.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Wordless Wednesday: Mi Casa Restaurante

Watch for my article on the
restaurants of lovely San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
This is Mi Casa.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

10 Best Travel Experiences of 2016


2016 was another good year of travels locally and internationally. It’s hard to pick the ten most memorable because each trip has included some very special experiences.

Mesa Arizona’s Fresh Foodie Trail
Wine, urban farms, craft breweries, local olive oil, and farm-to-table restaurants dot the landscape of Arizona’s Valley of the Sun. The desert holds surprises for those who explore the beauty and the bounty of the Mesa area, just south of Phoenix.  We experienced the Fresh Foodie Trail and came back with three special finds to share with readers of Real Food Traveler.

Farming in a forest of water and nutrient fed produce
in the Arizona desert.
Foodie Adventures on the Long Beach Peninsula
First it was St. Patrick’s Day at the Lost Roo Pub and a luxurious stay at Boreas Inn B&B and then it was a successful salmon fishing trip out of Ilwaco. The Long Beach Peninsula in SW Washington State is a treasure trove of foodie delights. In season, peruse the Ilwaco and Long Beach Farmers’ Markets, enjoy Mushroom Month and experience the cranberry harvest. There’s always something to do, see or eat when you make a trip to the Long Beach Peninsula.
Cranberry harvest time on the Long Beach Peninsula of Washington
Discovering Portland All Over Again
Portland is a ten-minute trip over the bridge for me and I thought I knew the Bridge City, but a press trip in Portland and environs proved me wrong. I experienced a stay at the hip, renovated Ace Hotel and toured to the west for Saki and Zip Lining, to the east to discover a new family-friendly food cart pod and to the south to kayak up to the rushing Willamette Falls.
Zip through the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
This one is less than an hour from downtown Portland.
Anacortes Art Walk
The Fidalgo Island town of Anacortes, Washington makes for an easy getaway with amazing views, farm-to-table cuisine, and both public and gallery art. I was invited to Anacortes to check out their art and…especially the First Friday event. What I discovered was the stunning natural beauty of the area, the creativity of local artists and the luxury of a stay at the Historic Majestic Inn. They also have a fanciful historic mural collection dotted throughout the town.
Discover Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island. You can get there via a short bridge!

Exploring the Art Glass Scene in Tacoma
I’ve traveled past and through Tacoma, Washington many times. I didn’t realize the colorful treasures that lay within the city. Tacoma, Washington is one of the hottest destinations for studio art glass lovers. Many see Tacoma as a port city with the grey Tacoma Dome as its most recognizable landmark. But I now know differently. Tacoma is colorful and vibrant and much of it is due to its dedication to art glass.
Amazing Chihuly art glass installations in Tacoma

Living it Up on San Juan Island
The San Juan Islands, a group of islands in northwest Washington state, are a well-known destination for outdoor adventure lovers. While you can sail your boat into Roche Harbor on San Juan Island or take an adventurous kayaking trip around some of the smaller islands, there’s plenty to do for those who just want a little relaxation and pampering. We experienced some of the best of San Juan Island, one of the larger islands in the archipelago, in just three days. And my dog, Cinnamon the Coonhound, discovered the dog-friendly side of things and had a great vacay.
There is so much to discover in the San Juan Islands.
This is sunrise from the Island Inn.
 First Ever Vancouver Dining Month
Sometimes there are things to discover right in your own back yard. During the month of October, the city of Vancouver, Washington put together their first ever Dine the Couve event. Many restaurants and brew pubs participated and we found out that excellent meals were to be had at only $23 for three courses.
Vancouver dining with a view.
Native American Tourism Conference
I traveled north to the Tulalip reservation and beautiful resort and had the pleasure of attending the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism (AIANTA) Association national conference in Washington State. I came away with news, information and experiences that will inform and entice travelers who love exploring history, culture and natural beauty. Native tourism opportunities are growing, native hospitality is welcoming and the access visitors have to native lands and people is much more open that you might realize. And, I discovered a beautiful Casino/Resort and plan to return in 2017 to do a feature article.

The Warmth and Color of Los Cabos, Mexico
Last but not least I traveled south to the tip of the Baja Peninsula of Mexico to warm up a bit. It was my first trip to Los Cabos and it was a marvelous experience. I was one of the first guests to experience the luxury of The Towers at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica complete with personal butler service. We also sailed to Lands End on a beautiful 55-foot sail boat. Before returning home to the chilly weather, I spent some time discovering the quaint arts town of San Jose del Cabo.
Welcome to El Encanto in San Jose del Cabo
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Instant trip pictures can be found on Instagram along with the occasional hound dog photos.
Look for our articles, musings and sharing of others’ travels on Twitter and Facebook.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Wordless Wednesday: El Encanto Suites in San Jose del Cabo Gardens

Details throughout the garden
at the magical El Encanto Inn
in the Arts Disctrict
of San Jose del Cabo, BCS, Mexico

Los Cabos, Mexico: Pueblo Bonito's Sea Turtle Release Program involves Guests and Owners


I recently had the pleasure of soaking in the sun and natural beauty of Los Cabos, Mexico. The new Towers at Pacifica, the luxury resort within a resort at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf and Spa Resort, provided me with a luxurious place to relax and reflect. 

View of Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort and Beach
from the Montecristo Estates Villas
As I explored the pristine beaches I noticed a pen, about the size of a tennis court. I was told it was part of the sea turtle conservation program.

I missed an exciting opportunity to participate in the release of sea turtle hatchlings but if you are at the resort at just the right time you may be able to get involved.

Summer marks the start of the nesting season for the sea turtles that call Los Cabos home. Through mid-December, hundreds of turtle hatchlings will make their way from the beaches of Cabo San Lucas to the sea. Because the hatchlings are easy prey for natural predators and humans, these gentle reptiles need all the assistance they can get in order to reach maturity and increase their numbers.
The beaches of Los Cabos are
dotted with sea turtle protection
pens.

Since 2003, Pueblo Bonito Golf and Spa Resorts has made it an important part of the company’s mission to take part in ecological conservation efforts, notably Cabo’s world-renowned Turtle Protection and Release program. Pueblo Bonito believes in educating visitors and residents alike about the importance of active conservation. The annual Turtle Release program provides a fun and fascinating way to assist Mother Nature.

Each year, the resort’s team of naturalists observes adult female turtles during their annual summer return to Los Cabos. The beaches in Cabo are important nesting grounds for five species of sea turtles, three of which nest: Pacific Ridley, Leatherback and Galapagos Green Turtle.  Once the location of the nests is recorded, they are marked and protected after the female turtles return to sea. Fences and structures are erected to safeguard the nests from birds, animals and humans until the turtles hatch, usually from late September through mid-December.

Turtle pen on the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica property.
For guests and owners visiting Los Cabos during the fall season, Pueblo Bonito offers the opportunity to assist conservation team members as they release the hatchlings from the protected nests. Guests and owners enjoy hands-on participation during a truly rewarding experience, one that creates wonderful memories as well as photo opportunities.

Because there is no way to know exactly when the turtles will hatch, there is no predetermined schedule for the releases. When the eggs in a nest begin to hatch, the director of the ecological program notifies the resort. The event is then organized to allow interested parties to participate. The release is scheduled for just before sunset on that same day. The newly hatched turtles are set free on the beach in front of Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort and Spa. In 2015, more than 420 hotel guests from Sunset Beach, Pacifica and Montecristo participated in 33 sea turtle liberations.

Guests participating in the release.
Owners visiting their homes in Quivira Los Cabos are invited to take part along with guests at the Pueblo Bonito resorts. Those visiting Los Cabos during the turtle release season can check with the concierge desk at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf and Spa Resort for details. The satisfaction of aiding an endangered species is an unforgettable experience!

Check the resort’s Facebook page for updates and interesting information. Can you imagine participating in the thrill of releasing these beautiful little turtles into the ocean?

Monday, February 13, 2012

February 2012: New Travel Warnings for Mexico

I was recently in southern Arizona. While, in the past, I felt comfortable walking across the border at Nogales, on this trip I resisted the impulse. I have heard so many things that deter me from travel in Mexico, especially in border cities.

This month the Department of State issued an updated travel warning for Mexico.

(From the Department of State website) February 08, 2012 - The Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens about the security situation in Mexico.General information on the overall security situation is provided immediately belowFor information on security conditions in specific regions of Mexico, which can vary, travelers should reference the state-by-state assessments further below.  This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated April 22, 2011 to consolidate and update information about the security situation and to advise the public of additional restrictions on the travel of U.S. government (USG) personnel.
Cnn.com summarized the warning:The travel warning urges Americans to defer nonessential travel to all or parts of the following 14 states: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan and Nayarit.
Travelers should also exercise caution visiting all or parts of Baja California, Colima and Morelos, it says.


Here is detailed safety information on Travel in Mexico from the Department of State.