Best of Loreto Food (In my Opinion) - Part III

After much thought and the devouring of many entrees (someone had to do it), the winner goes to....There were no clear winners in the food category
 during our recent trip to Loreto so, in all fairness,  I developed a "best of" list. I had to keep reminding myself that we were not at a five star resort property or "in Kansas anymore".  Loreto is still, in my opinion, a quaint sleepy laid back fishing village with a disproportionate amount of eating establishments.  Lucky for us!

BEST BREAKFAST - Islas Loreto   We ate there several times.  It was close to our hotel.  We could slither out of bed and wander across the street for some great coffee and huevos rancheros or an avocado cheese omelet.  The service was good and the decor was bright, colorful and clean.

Avocado Cheese Omelet

BEST MARGARITA - El Bohemia   Tomas made the best and strongest margarita by far, or at least, compared to most of the other places we sampled. 

BEST ENTERTAINMENT -  This was at a restaurant called Mita Gourmet.  There was a young gentleman who could play his guitar as the patrons waited (and waited) for their meal.   The food (for us) was average and high priced...sorry guys!  The entertainment was superb!

BEST FOOD FOR THE $$$ WITH AMBIANCE -  El Papaguayo Cantando   Tomas recommended this place because his good friend, Juanito, was a waiter there.  He said Juanito would "take care" of us, and he did!   We wanted to try an assortment of flavors so we chose from their tapas menu.  He kept bringing us more and more food...very good food.  We started with a seafood tostada, a banana cheese relleno (interesting, I'll be trying this at home), a burrito, a spinach quesadilla  and finished with the chocolate clams!  We had to try those!!   Then  I attempted to sleep with all that in my belly!  Not a restful night, but I'm a glutton for punishment as we returned a few nights later.  I chose a small Italian roasted pepper and goat cheese pannini...Good choice, not as filling.  The decor was inviting,  and serene, especially at night .  The tables are arranged so that you're  in your own "garden room" colorfully lit and seemingly private.   Very nice.

Seafood Tostada

Cheesy Banana Relleno

Spinach Quesadillas

Burrito Tapas

BEST FOOD WITH A WATER  VIEW -  Mediterraneo   This restaurant is on the malecon (main street) right across from the Sea of Cortez which gave us a panoramic view.  Our waiter, Julio, was very attentive, friendly and quick.  I guess it helped that we were the only ones there.  I sure hope they can attract more restaurant goers.  They need to stay open.  The food was good, with an abundance of  seafood entrees.

Shrimp and scallop stuffed relleno

Of course, I still say our BEST DINING EXPERIENCE goes to the Tom and Sue's Tower Bistro!  The owners are friendly and the tortilla soup is the best in Loreto (and probably the surrounding areas)  Thanks again!

The Lovely People of Loreto - Part II

I love to travel for several reasons.  Experiencing another culture or way of life ranks high on my list along with the ethnic foods I get to sample.  Therefore, I find it necessary to categorize my travel to Loreto in separate posts.

In a category of its own is, The People of Loreto.  The following post will be about the food.  Yum and not so yum!

On our first day, we wanted to get the "lay of the land" and swoop into the heart of this quaint fishing village on the Sea of Cortez.  Barely a block from the water sits the main square where it's great just to sit and relax with a margarita and take in the sights and happenings around us.  We found the #1 ranked margarita in all of Loreto!  We met a gentleman named Tomas who made this claim and of course, I was up to the challenge!  The cafe/bar was called El Bohemia.  After a couple of sips, I knew I had indeed found the best margarita in town.  No need to search further, you only needed one!  Thanks, Tomas for your kind words and good recommendations on where to eat, etc.

Tomas at El Bohemia

You only need one margarita

Tomas led us to another eating establishment down the way.  More about the food in a later post.  We met Juanito (our friendly waiter at El Papaguayo Cantando) and Julio at the "sister" property of Mediterraneo.  Both were all smiles and very attentive.  I was a nice dining experience at both.

One little guy who stole my heart lured us into his parents pottery shop along the main street to show off his new puppy.  Next to kittens, I'm a pushover for puppies!  Who isn't.  Of course, I had to buy something and take a picture of his new puppy.  Now if the next shop was a jewelry store with a little girl and her kitten, I could go broke in Loreto!  Just kidding...great marketing tool though.

The posing puppy

The best and #1 pleasurable experience and one of the main reasons we went to Loreto was the wonderful lunch at Tom and Sue's  place.  I met Sue through her blog (long story, shortened) at http://www.sueslifeinbalance.com/  Check out her blog, it's very good and entertaining.  I thought maybe I had a long lost sister when we compared notes.  We are both from the same town of San Pedro, California, less than 24 hours apart in age (spooky) and we share our love for Italy and Italian food, among other things.

Sue & Tom

Sangria and Tortilla Soup

Anyway, we arrived near the Inn at Loreto, where we probably should have stayed.  The area is breathtakingly beautiful.  She showed us around as we meandered through fountained courtyards towards her villa, La Reposada.  (Did I get the name right, Sue?)  Tom and Sue graciously accepted us into their home and fed us lunch!!   Sangria , tortilla soup and warm flour and corn tortillas with fresh melting butter was on the menu.  Sue, it was amazing.....I need you to post your recipes, please!  After lunch we waddled up to the "tower" where we enjoyed their company, and got to know them better.  As we overlooked the Sea of Cortez, Sue pulled out the "big guns", serving authentic flavored ice cream bars as the temperature rose into the mid 80's.  Another one of those perfect travel days. 

Thanks, Tom and Sue for showing us a great time.  My only regret is that we missed that party in the tower the next night!  Sounds like you had too much fun!

Unplugged in Loreto, Mexico - Part I

I've been off the grid!  No phone calls, email, not much computer or television for a week!  It was hard, but highly recommended.  We decided to travel to Loreto, Mexico for several different reasons.  Relaxation and a form of decompression, if you will, was the main reason.  So, if you need to relax and unwind, this is the place.

In Loreto, you can be as busy (or not) as you want to be.  If you love fishing you'll be excited.  If you like food, there are many options here.  If you love to photograph the beauty, and the not so beautiful, you'll be "snapping away" as I did.

My view every morning

The days begin on a tranquil note each morning as the sun peeks over the Isla del Carmen. The dazzling light of daybreak is my favorite time to soak up the beauty.   I have been known to wander onto the beaches of Mexico to get that glorious sunrise picture.  That's probably not the safest thing to do!   But, I can't resist a photo opportunity for a perfect sunrise.  Once the sun takes shape and slowly floats higher, it begins to warm the day and my soul.  I can't think of a better way to ease into the day.  Of course, coffee and breakfast in bed is right up there, too!

It's not easy to sum up a travel destination in a few paragraphs, so I'll be revealing my thoughts over the next few posts. I'll mention the food, the people and a special couple that we finally met at their lovely home in Loreto.   Having flown in late last night, I need time to "digest" and reflect on my quick trip to this treasure on the Baja.  More to come....