Sunday, May 31, 2015

Saturday, May 30, 2015

New Restaurant Alert: La Mesa at Sol y Barro


Aime Desponds of Sol y Barro is one of Valle de Guadalupe's most talented citizens.  The jack of all trades designed and built all the buildings on his property and when he's not working on his latest construction project he's making some of my favorite wines in the Valle.

Apparently he doesn't have enough projects to keep himself busy.  In two weeks (June 13) he plans to open a campestre (outdoor seasonal restaurant) called La Mesa.  

The only other information I have is that the chef comes from Restaurante Amores in Tecate.


Friday, May 29, 2015

Interview - San Diego Food & Travel - Javier Plascencia


Now that the Baja/San Diego culinary scene is drawing national attention, it appears that Javier Plascencia will be the subject of many conversations about our area's food and restaurants   


Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Sunday Breakfasts at El Jardin de Adobe


Via El Jardin de Adobe's Facebook page:
Friends, beginning the 31st of May we will serve breakfast in the garden every Sunday from 9 am to 12.  You do not need reservation.
 I'm pretty sure one of my correspondents will be there this Sunday.  A report will follow

Thursday, May 21, 2015

New Restaurant Update: Mixtura at Relieve Vinicola


Little by little we're learning more about Relieve Vinicola's new restaurant project. 

Today, Relieve posted a picture on Instagram that included the @ reply - @mixturamixtura.  If you click on it, you are taken to a new Instagram account with the following info in the bio -  Coming Soon - Mixtura - Valle de Guadalupe.

More info as it becomes available.

Chef News: Diego Hernandez to Open a Restaurant in Los Angeles


Living in San Diego I'll still go to Corazon de Tierra in Valle de Guadalupe to enjoy Chef Diego Hernandez's food.  But, for those of you residing in points north, this is very good news.

Bill Esparza writing for Los Angeles Magazine has the scoop:




Sunday, May 17, 2015

New Restaurant at Relieve Vinicola??

It's looking like Relieve Vinicola is adding a restaurant on their property.

They posted the following picture of their organic garden on Instagram with the hashtags  #comingsoon #restaurant #bajamed


I'm guessing this picture that the winery posted on Instagram in April is our first look at the project.    



Relieve Vinicola on Instagram







Thursday, May 14, 2015

Highly Recommended: Lodging - Valle de Guadalupe

My favorite way to visit Valle de Guadalupe is to head down on Friday morning, spend the night, and then return to San Diego late Saturday afternoon.  This schedule allows for plenty of time to explore the Valle and also avoids most of the traffic and minimizes the delays crossing back into the US.

As we do stay overnight in Valle de Guadalupe quite often, I'm often asked about where we stay.

My answer:

House in El Porvenir


We have stayed at this Airbnb listing on numerous occasions.  It is a very large house that is centrally located near La Cooperativa.  The price is more than reasonable ($150 + $25 cleaning deposit) and is perfect for big groups.  

Notes:

There is an additional charge of $25 per person per night after 4 guests 
Wifi!
The house is well stocked, but bring your own wine glasses.




Teresa and Richard's bed and breakfast with its beautiful views is an absolutely fantastic place to stay.  Located near San Antonio de las Minas it has two private suites (the upstairs suite can be configured into two separate bedrooms).  

Eating breakfast while enjoying the view from their patio is one of my favorite things to do in the Valle.

Notes:

Each bedroom rents for $100 per night which includes breakfast.
Telephone: (646) 185-15-13


Rancho El Parral




This beautiful bed and breakfast is located on the road to El Tigre next to the Alximia Winery. Rancho El Parral has 4 bedrooms that each have a private bathroom.  A  delicious full Mexican breakfast is included in the price.

Notes:

Wifi!
Current price = $1750 pesos
The tasting room for Rancho El Parral's winery, Rondo del Valle, is adjacent to the inn and well worth a visit.
The campestre (seasonal restaurant) Costa Oeste is currently located on the property.



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Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Restaurant Report: SipSavorSee SD - Finca Altozano


Javier Plascencia and his restaurants certainly have not lacked exposure lately.  The attention while well deserved can be repetitive, but this report by SipSavorSeeSD is well done.  Nice pictures and based on my experience they ordered some of the best dishes on Finca Altozano's menu.   


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Monday, May 11, 2015

Shout Out: San Luis Obispo Tribune


I'm not sure Laurie Daniels has ever visited the Valle, but the information while scarce is at least accurate.

Explore Baja's Wine Scene

Sunday, May 10, 2015

New Entertainment Venue: Bodegas del Valle


A few days ago I posted information about the Ricardo Arjona concert.  In the course of putting the post together I noticed that it was to be held in the unknown-to-me venue, Bodegas del Valle.

This sparked my curiosity, so I did a little internet sleuthing.

It turns out that Bodegas del Valle is indeed a brand new entertainment complex which is set to open this month.


Thursday, May 7, 2015

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Monday, May 4, 2015

Progress Report: Viños Kruger's Tasting Room

Here are a couple recent photos of Viños Kruger's still under construction tasting room.  I am unaware of their targeted opening date, but when it does open I may need to add it to my "Best Views in the Valle" list.







Photo Gallery: esoteric survey



Friday, May 1, 2015

Great Idea: BECA 4 Kids Culinary Arts School


Wouldn't it be great if the chef of the next great campestre in Valle de Guadalupe was a BECA Culinary Arts graduate.

Via BECA 4 Kids 
STOCK THE KITCHEN - for our BECA4kids Culinary Arts School

Moms are our first teachers.   Moms are a guide on our path in the world.
They help us find our way through childhood and prepare us to be successful adults. 
But it takes a village.  

BECA is part of that village for many of the children in the La Mision.  It started as a mission to help the smallest children be able to attend school by providing uniforms and books.  It has become a driving source in the success of countless children and now young adults.  BECA is creating the path and helping families guide and prepare their children to be adults. 

In 2008 BECA brought a high school to the La Mision allowing the children of the valley to continue their education beyond elementary school.  That school now has 110 students!   

In 2010 the idea to create a Culinary Arts program at the school was born.  The program would allow the children to learn and develop a skill set in the hospitality industry.  It is a career path as these children become adults. 
The high school would need a kitchen for the program.  So BECA set out to raise funds for the materials and volunteers began construction.  

The structure has been completed!  
The next step is to run electricity and gas to the building.  
And finally to outfit an industrial kitchen that will serve as the hands on classroom for the Culinary Arts program. 

This is where we can help.  We can be part of the village for these children.  

BECA is starting a Stock the Kitchen campaign and Mother’s Day is the perfect time to get involved.  As a gift for your mom; or in memory of your mom; or for your daughter who is now a Mom, this year you can help stock the kitchen.  It is a practical and generous gift and an honor to our first teachers.  This year your Mother’s Day gift can be demonstrating empathy and altruism.  

Let’s be honest – its beats a trip to the mall to find something to buy her to show her you were thinking of her this year.  You were thinking of her and you were paying it forward for all she has given you.   Perfect. 

So, first you can choose a gift from the list below.  You can pay for the gift either online or by mailing a check.  (written by Tracey Barker)  

STEP 1:  Please choose your gift from any of the following:

  • $8000  Electricity and Gas Installation Choose a gift amount for these essentials --  the kitchen can’t operate without them...  
  • $100  Citrus Juicer, Pasta Dough Roller, Meat Slicer, Blender, Mixer
  • $50  Pizza Prep Equipment, Bakery Pans and Decorating Tools, Mandolin Slicer
  • $25   Color Coded Handle Knives, Steel Woks, Fry Pans, Food Scales
  • $15   Mixing Bowls, Ramekins, Spatula Set, Measuring Cups and Spoon Set

STEP 2: Make Your Donation:
Go to http://beca4kids.org/index.php/how-you-can-help/donate-now to make your donation online. 


OR MAIL a check (please note on your check that the gift is for Stock the Kitchen) 
LMPOA
PMB 840
PO BOX 439060
San Diego, CA 92143

Dish Report: San Diego Magazine


Drew Deckman is very good at his job.