Sunday, February 17, 2013

Estep into the Estero


Estero is the Spanish name for the Estuary in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. It is a nature preserve. It's free to visit and easy to find. Just off the main highway Route One, and five minutes down the hill from the Mega Store, the Estero is accessible from the parking lot of the Holiday Inn. It's very quiet. It is especially lovely at the end of the day when the light is golden and the air begins to cool. Birds fly around, fish jump, and the mountains and desert frame a beautiful background.  Locals from the area come to catch fish.


One of the locals trying to catch fish.

One of the locals who caught some fish.



Like a mirror

"H" stands for "Cool Restaurant" in Mexican




H  Restaurant is situated in a century old house decorated with timbered ceilings and intense burnt umber-painted walls. The dark wooden tables summon the feel of an old Mexican hacienda. The menu offerings incorporate local organic produce, with a healthy fresh twist on local entrees from nearby farms and the Sea of Cortes.  Luis Herrrera (whose last name inspires the "H" name) is the charming young proprietor whose training includes a stint at the Culinary Institute of America. He comes from a long line of restaurant owners of the crazy Carlos and Charlie's chain in Mexican tourist towns.  H is in the upscale renovated Arts District of San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. A great time to go is on Thursday night, which is gallery night, after strolling through the art shops. 

Container, Not Cantina, is the Name: Container Restaurant in Campestre San Jose, Mexico



The marina area being developed near San Jose del Cabo, Mexico has a fun and quirky restaurant made out of a shipping container.  I had asked a local to suggest a place for lunch in the area of Puerto Los Cabos.  I thought she said to try the "Cantina". Nope.  She said to try the "Container". It is a casual eatery along the marina, with a view of the yachts, the mountains, and the multiple construction projects at the base of the Puerto Los Cabos Golf development. The restaurant's kitchen and bar is in a shipping container whose side was pried open to serve the half dozen or so tables spread out in the cozy shaded area between it and the pier. The tortilla soup with a cold Pacifico beer was a scrumptious lunch.
Sopa de Tortilla (Tortilla Soup) y dos Pacificos (and 2 beers)