Monday, May 16, 2016

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

We capped off our celebratory weekend with dinner at Deckman's. I can't really add to anything that's been said and written about this campestre other than to say that sitting with friends and family around a table at Deckman's is one of life's great pleasures.




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