5 Bites Of Los Cabos, Mexico
When the world's most powerful leaders met to hammer out the globe's financial woes at the G-20 summit in Los Cabos in June, we imagine they had a bite or two to keep the brainpower flowing. In this beachy Mexican city, there are plenty of exciting options to suit even the most demanding palates. From breakfast overlooking the famous Arc in Cabo San Lucas to late-night Michelin-level dining in San José del Cabo, these Baja hot spots will keep the bellies of even the most fickle finance minister full.
Breakfast: Dating back to the 1970s, The Office on the Beach is housed in one of the original palapas built on the now-bustling Médano Beach in Cabo San Lucas. A festive spot from the same folks who own nearby Edith's, The Office is a casual joint with sandy floors, colorful lights, and traditional Mexican tablecloths that plays host to kitschy bands and killer sunsets. Skip the rowdier evening crowd and start your morning with an overstuffed omelette or chilaquiles with eggs as you watch the sun send morning rays over the stunning El Arco.
Lunch: In Cabo, it's all about the beach by day and the beach bars by night. But just outside peaceful San José del Cabo lies Flora Farms, a self-sustaining property that also houses one of the region's best restaurants. Take lunch in a picturesque setting far from the bustle of the Cabo strip and delight in dishes bursting with flavors of the fresh fruits and vegetables that surround you. Choose from salads and sandwiches piled onto freshly baked breads or order one of Flora's family-style favorites, the organic fried chicken or the massive pork chop. Talk about farm to table — at Flora's you never even have to leave the farm!
Snack: For a quick bite, it doesn't get better than Asi y Asado, a dive of a taco joint off the corridor's busy Highway One. At this open-air spot where cars rocket past at breakneck speed, 14 decadent varieties of tacos await hungry locals that know about this authentic spot. Whether you're looking for meat (skirt steak, chorizo), fish (grilled octopus, smoked tuna) or vegetarian options, don't miss the Vampiros, which — different than the others — are served in a crunchy tortilla shell. Need something to wash down all that goodness? Try one of Asi y Asado's fresh juices like pineapple or hibiscus, or the local's favorite, lime with the very healthy addition of chia seeds.
Dinner: There are some interesting chefs doing truly different things in Cabo right now, and one of them is Drew Deckman. His eponymous Deckman's, just outside of San José del Cabo's borders, takes local ingredients and works them into meticulously executed, creative dishes like scallop ceviche and beef tongue carpaccio or octopus and pork belly with cauliflower, Meyer lemon, and chile, both playful interpretations of surf and turf, and quail with pinto beans and chayote in a light mole sauce. Don't want to commit to a full portion of any one dish? All of Deckman's plates are available in three sizes and pair beautifully with the many Mexican wines on the extensive Baja-inspired list.
Dinner: Craving classic, elegant Mexican flavor profiles? Head to Casianos, now located in a new, sleek indoor-outdoor space off San José del Cabo's quiet side streets. Oaxaca-born Casiano Reyes, the kind of chef who would rather stay inside of the kitchen, has fashioned his restaurant without a menu. Merely let the chef know what you don't eat and he'll delight your palate with all that you do. During my visit, I was treated to a perfectly sweet rendition of the in-season chiles en nogada stuffed with meat, sea bass with lentils over a sweet corn purée with chipotle sauce, and requisite flan and tres leches cake for dessert.