Looks like I missed a great fiesta.
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Lodging Report: San Diego Union Tribune
Here is Wendy Lemlin's list of places to stay in Valle de Guadalupe
Friday, May 27, 2016
Food Truck at Clos de Tres Cantos
A food truck run by Fabio Niebla and Rafael Magaña (Laja) will be parked at Clos de Tres Cantos on Saturdays and Sundays.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
El Jardin de Guadalupe Reopens on May 28
I received an email from Valle Wine Concierge this morning with the news that El Jardin de Guadalupe will open for the 2016 season with a new chef at the helm.
Chef Constatino Dal Bon (son of Tre Galline's Angelo Dal Bon) will bring his Italian influenced cuisine to the Valle starting on Saturday, May 28.
• • • • •
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Monday, May 23, 2016
New Restaurant: Tempo Urban Kitchen - Valle de Guadalupe
The Orange County restaurant, Tempo Urban Kitchen, has been providing some cryptic hints about their restaurant project in the Valle on Instagram. I should have been paying more attention to Facebook as the winery, Rondo del Valle, has been a bit more forthcoming on their FB page.
Rondo del Valle - Facebook
Tempo Urban Kitchen - Facebook
Tempo Urban Kitchen - Instagram
Here are some renderings of the project now under construction on Rondo del Valle's property.
Update: Valle Wine Concierge emailed me another rendering of TUK's Valle restaurant.
Tempo Urban Kitchen - Facebook
Tempo Urban Kitchen - Instagram
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Dinner Event: Del Huerto y Vinedo a tu Mesa - Finca Altozano - August 19 -
Del Huerto y El Viñedo A Tu Mesa - August 19 - Finca Altozano
Wineries
Wineries
Chefs
Host: Javier Plascencia
Paul Bentley of Magno Brasserie
Trey Foshee of George's at the Cove
Guillermo Téllez of Flora Farms
Tickets @ Finca Altozano or Paypal
Information: mkt@chefjavierplascencia.mx
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Shout Out: The Herald - Valle de Guadalupe
L.A. Cetto • Tresvista • Finca Altozano • Laja • Encuentro • Casa Mayoral
Shout Out: The Daily Meal
This is your basic click-bait slideshow, but the Valle dominates with 5 restaurants on the list.
Deckman's • Corazon de Tierra • Laja • Silvestre • Finca Altozano
Friday, May 20, 2016
New Restaurant at Bruma?
Noted architect Alejandro D'Acosta (Vena Cava, Clos de Tres Cantos, Bruma.....) posted these pictures captioned, "Proceso de obra restaurante Bruma" on Facebook today.
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Fernando Gaxiola - Baja Wine + Food - Rogue Experiences
Fernando Gaxiola is an evangelist.
He works tirelessly promoting the wine and food of northern Baja, and as part of his evangelism he is constantly helping to organize special events on both sides of the border. I have been to many of these events and can speak first hand about their excellence.
Fernando in his never ending quest of sharing his love of Mexico started a new endeavor last week. He will lead a series of tours under the moniker Rogue Experiences.
As many of you know, my company Baja Wine + Food does NOT organize tours but tailored high-end experiences (anti-tour). However, for years my friends have asked me to share with them my favorite bites in Baja. Well, I finally said yes. I will personally be leading a series of tours to Baja under the name #RogueExperiences (not as Baja Wine + Food). Most of them by-invite-only and designed for the Food & Beverage Industry, journalists, photographers, bloggers, my foodie friends and some of Baja Wine + Food followers. It is my absolute pleasure to introduce to some of the influencers in the US to the amazing food, wine, beer and art movement in Baja. Stay tuned for the next and thank you to my friends who joined me yesterday in the very first Rogue Experience.I had a great time last week when I joined Fernando and an eclectic band of food lovers on his first Rogue Experience - a tour of Tijuana. The day was spent eating a lot of tacos (usually paired with an adult beverage or two). We returned to San Diego tired, but with huge smiles.
Facebook is best way to receive information about Fernando's events and tours. You can find him here:
Baja Wine + Food - Facebook
Fernando Gaxiola
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Event: Vino + Paella at Barón Balch'é - July 2
Update (5/20/16)
Via Facebook:
It's very easy to acquire your invitation to attend Vino + Paella on Saturday, July 2 in the vineyards of Barón Balch'é.
• Print and fill in the following coupon, with which you can redeem for an invitation
• Go to one of the following establishments where they will be handing out the invitations:
• Go to one of the following establishments where they will be handing out the invitations:
Barón Balch'é Winery in Valle de Guadalupe
101 Wine & Bistro and Las Viñas of Ensenada in Ensenada
The Cava by Balche and Taquilla of Don Boleton (Royal Inn) in Tijuana
Serigrafix in Mexicali
The Cava by Balche and Taquilla of Don Boleton (Royal Inn) in Tijuana
Serigrafix in Mexicali
Tickets are available starting from Saturday, May 21
(applied restrictions, limited parking)
(applied restrictions, limited parking)
Note: this coupon is not an invitation, it's just the coupon to get your invitation.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Shout Out: San Diego City Beat - Valle de Guadalupe
Alex Zaragoza singles out the Valle as a great weekend escape destination,
Cuatro Cuatros • Tras Lomita • 3 Mujeres • Baron Balch'é
Monday, May 16, 2016
Shout Out: CBS 8 - San Diego - Valle de Guadalupe
Baja Winery Tours • Hacienda La Lomita • Casa de Piedra • Finca Altozano • Finca La Carrodilla
Directions: Aguas Termales (Hot Springs)
Here are the directions to the hot springs I wrote about in my trip report.
1) Turn south off Hwy 3 on the dirt road that leads to La Esperanza, Bruma, and L.A. Cetto
2) Continue on this road past L.A. Cetto and La Casa de Doña Lupe
3) The road forks a half mile or so past Doña Lupe's - take left fork
4) Continue on the road for approximately 3 miles
5) The road is blocked by a chain at Federico's where you pay 30 pesos per person to continue.
The hots springs are about 2 miles from Federico's. You can park your car there and start hiking or you can continue driving about a mile further down the road to another parking area and start hiking from there.
The road from Federico's was easily navigable although you do have to cross the creek twice.
Trip Report: Chipotle (Me!)
Our group of 10 had a lot to celebrate - a three week wedding anniversary, a very recent engagement, and two birthdays. What better place is there to raise a glass to mark life's benchmarks than Valle de Guadalupe.
Friday
My new favorite first stop when we reach the Valle is Relieve Vinícola and its restaurant Mixtura. This winery, located on the west end of the valley has it all, - good wine (I really like their rosé), a beautiful setting, and delicious food.
I wanted to show a the valle noobies in our group something unique, so our next stop was Clos de Tres Cantos. It's a great place to share a bottle of wine and to wander around. You can check out the winery complex designed by architect Alejandro D'Acosta here - Clos de Tres Cantos.
We then headed over to El Piñar de 3 Mujeres for a late lunch/early dinner. I have been eating at Chef Ismene Venegas's modest campestre for several years and always enjoyed my meals there, but last Friday's meal was exceptional. Experience has served Isemene well. She has become very skilled at cooking on her outdoor grills.
Tip: order the fish.
 |
| Quinta Maria |
My wife and I, two of our kids, and their significants stayed at one of our favorite bed and breakfasts, Quinta Maria. The rooms are very well appointed, moderately priced (around $120), and Teresa and Richard could not be nicer or more gracious hosts.
Saturday
I wanted to do something a bit different, so we hiked to the hot springs located in the east end of the Valley. The springs themselves are not spectacular but the hike was a nice change of pace from our normal Valle activities (eating and drinking too much).
The post hike lunch was at Troika. After a couple disappointing experiences at the food truck located next to Vena Cava last year it was nice to find that newly hired chef Erick Elericko has elevated the quality of the food. Troika is now back on my list of must stops.
 |
| Deckman's En El Mogor Photo credit: Fernando Gaxiola |
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Valle de Guadalup-yea!
We're headed to the Valle tomorrow to celebrate a couple birthdays. Regular blogging will return sometime on Sunday.
Monday, May 9, 2016
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Friday, May 6, 2016
Ryan Steyn Won't Be At El Jardin
No word yet if El Jardin will open with a different chef this season.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Shout Out: Cronkite News - Arizona PBS
It doesn't seem like the reporter for this piece ventured very far from his tour bus.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Monday, May 2, 2016
Event: Guadalupe Valley Culinary & Music Festival - July 1 - 3
Update 1: Evidently @warpmagazine is involved.
Update 2: Based upon my page view stats, it would be wise to book your room ASAP
Update 3: The Line-up!
Rhye • Poolside • Rebolledo • El Guincho • Jimmy Edgar • Alejandro Franco • Damían Romero
Vanbot • Takami Nakamoto • The Chamanas • Vanessa Zamora
Rancho • Ejival
Update 4: Places to buy tickets
Travel Guide: Harper's Bazaar
There are no secrets revealed, but it's a very solid guide to the Valle.
La Cocina de Doña Esthela • Hacienda La Lomita • Encuentro Guadalupe • Finca Altozano •
Vena Cava • Corazon de Tierra • Deckman's En El Mogor
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Web Site: Mixtura
Although it still needs to fill in some of its content (menu), Mixtura (Vinícola Relieve's restaurant) now has its own web site.
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