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Food + Drinks Mexico Review

Authentic Mexican Food in Not-So Authentic Cabo San Lucas

I almost feel like a jerk for posting this because it’s going to be the most visually unappealing post I’ve ever shared. Not because the pics are particularly gross, but because 1- the blurry photos just don’t do the flavors justice, and 2- this weird thing happens when there’s food in front of me. I stop paying attention to my settings and just randomly snap pics because I’m in such a hurry to eat. So more often than not they come out blurry. But this experience was just so delicious, I couldn’t NOT share it despite the crappy pics.

If you love Mexican food like I do, there’s a good chance it won’t take too long until you find yourself feeling sad inside thanks to the local cuisine in the highly Americanized Cabo San Lucas. So instead of settling for tourist friendly beachside enchiladas drowning in sour cream, drive about ten blocks North of the tourist zone for a sit down meal at La Fonda. Holy mouthgasm. You won’t be sorry. And it’s cheap.

Up until this epic evening we’d eaten a lot of sub-par food in Cabo. The guacamoles were too creamy and bland, the entrees completely overpowered by seafood (which I guess could be a good thing if you like seafood tacos, I’m more of a beef and beans kinda gal), and generally lacking that authenticity that we were craving. Even at the highly recommended Villa Serena I wasn’t overly impressed for my birthday dinner (again, probably because I don’t love seafood dishes).

On our last night there I busted out the iPad, desperate to stumble upon some authentic hidden gem close by. That’s when I came across La Fonda on TripAdvisor, and after three seconds of looking at the menu decided we were going to eat like ravenous meat-deprived carnivores for the last supper.

And feast we did.

The restaurant was tucked away on Calle Miguel Hidalgo, and frankly a little hard to find (probably because we didn’t have a map). We drove around for a good 25 minutes before almost giving up. We were all hangry, and no matter which way we went we found ourselves back on Lázaro Cárdenas. Every wrong turn was one turn closer to defeat. Then out of nowhere we saw the tiny parking lot with friendly waiters standing there like they’d been waiting all night for us to arrive.

It was one of those restaurants where everything on the menu sounds delicious. The decor very traditional Mexican with bottles upon bottles of Tequila at the bar. The waitstaff was friendly, and almost more excited than we were for us to try their food. It felt like home. Or at least the Mexican version of home I’ve always felt I belonged in.

We ordered like we hadn’t eaten in weeks, getting appetizers and entrees to split amongst us all. Despite our oversized appetites, our bill only came out to $80 in the end. Money very well spent. I’d love to leave you with a website or something, but apparently they don’t have one. So if you don’t believe my taste buds, check out La Fonda on TripAdvisor.

I’ll leave you with some pretty shitty pictures that I really hope don’t deter you from giving this place a taste.

Disclaimer: A photo of the black bean empanadas are missing. They mysertiously disappeared before I could pull out my camera.

We were seated with a free sample, or rather, a tease. An excellent tease.
We were seated with a free sample, or rather, a tease. An excellent tease.
I love you even when you’re blurry, guacamole.
Queso fundido con chorizo. Nothing like a big dish of melted cheese and spicy meat.
Three quesadillas: pumpkin, shrimp, and huitlacoche (a mushroom that grows from corn).
Poisonous beans, refried and topped with “the secret adobo,” served with grilled tortillas. Oh, apparently poisonous and secret adobo means f’ing delicious in Spanish.
A Guadalajara special: drowned torta filled with carnitas. Though not very photogenic, it was tasty.
A Guadalajara special: drowned torta filled with carnitas. Though not very photogenic, it was tasty.
Some sort of chicken and veggies stacked between tortillas dish that a vegetarian ate and loved.
Some sort of chicken and veggies stacked between tortillas dish that a vegetarian ate and loved.

 

 

Categories
Caribbean Lodging Review

5 Nights at the Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas

During our five night trip to the British Virgin Islands, Stephanie and I stayed at the Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas on Tortola. The grounds were gorgeous—52 acres of sprawling, semi-secluded rooms nestled throughout the lush hills. We managed to snag a beachfront deluxe room for just $550 for five nights through TripAlertz. The room was clean and comfortable, the bathroom and walk-in closet were easily the size of most budget New York City apartments, and the full-sized window in the shower made me feel like a bit of an exhibitionist. But how can anyone resist opening the window to the sound of the waves and the moon glowing over the ocean just steps away?

View from the pool area
View from our balcony
Our beachfront deluxe room—bet you can’t guess which bed is mine!

The private beach right outside of our room was gorgeous to look at, but not the best for swimming. It wasn’t horrible by any means, but it was always wavy and some spots were a bit rocky just a few feet into the water. Our friends stayed at the resort the week before us and the one girl actually broke her toe swimming in the ocean on the first day of her vacation. Also there were signs all over the place warning of strong riptides, so swimmers beware!

Pulling a lounge chair into the water for some relaxation
The private beach area
Some pretty serious waves

We never made it down in time for the breakfast buffet, but we did order a proper breakfast at the resort’s restaurant 1748 a couple of times. It was good, not great, and a bit overpriced for the portion size. I only splurged for a juice with my meal on the first day because the serving size was hardly worth the price.

Beachside breakfast at 1748—cinnamon raisin french toast, watermelon and OJ

I usually can’t understand why anyone would go to a beachfront resort and then spend time at the pool. But as my aging skin quickly realized, sometimes you need a break from all of the harsh saltwater. Luckily the Long Bay Beach Resort has a fantastic pool with a swim-up bar and grill, friendly bartenders, and a water slide. What more could you possibly need? Oh did I mention the view is great too? Tropical green hills on one side, and a deck overlooking the ocean on the other.

Piña colada time in the pool
Oh bartender, if you only knew what you were getting yourself into by handing me that bottle
Acting like a drunk little kid on the water slide while simultaneously scaring them
Rum punch with the secret ingredient: nutmeg!

Taking a stroll West down the beach to Belmont Bay made me second guess all of those times I ever made fun of any hopeless romantic who ever said “I enjoy long walks on the beach.” This stretch of beach is almost uninhibited, with pristine, soft sand and the occasional coconut here and there, and nothing but the sound of the ocean.

The untouched soft sand at Belmont Bay
Belmont Bay

We asked a few people where was the best beach was within walking distance from the resort. Everyone pointed us in the same direction just beyond Belmont Bay. So we started our trek down this road a few yards from the beach, through the trees and private drives, around Belmont Pond, and right onto Smuggler’s Cover.

Surfboard fork in the road
Nature Boy Hidden Beach Bar, sans Nature Boy

We continued on for another 30-45 minutes on a gravel path through the trees until we stopped hearing the sounds of the ocean. It was hot, and we were starting to wonder if maybe we’d taken a wrong turn.

The path to Smuggler’s Cover
Smuggler’s Cove

Just as quickly as we’d started discussing the idea of turning around, what appeared to be a mirage of paradise emerged from beyond the thick green forest. The non-strenuous but sweaty haul was definitely worth it. This beach was a secluded, private oasis of crystal clear, calm water and no rocks and nonexistent waves almost as calm as a swimming pool.

I paid $8 to rent some snorkeling gear to swim around for an hour or so. Normally it’s $10 for 30 mins, but I don’t think they’re too strict about any prices at that beach. I started off on a stretch of reefs close to the shore where there were massive schools of tiny fish. Then I swam further out as the fish got even bigger, until a grey fish that was about 3 feet long caught my eye . My first reaction was “shark!” as I bee-lined back to shore thinking about the terrifying JAWS ride at Disney World.

A wall of fish which was slightly unnerving to swim through
Safe back at the shore

Before heading back to the resort another local told us to walk into the trees and check out the Lincoln that Queen Elizabeth II had riden in on her visit to the island in 1976. I was intrigued, and expecting to see some sort of memorialized car in pristine condition. We walked for a few minutes without seeing anything, and realized that yet again we were taking some strange man’s advice and wandering off into the forest alone. But alas, we realized this rusted pile of junk was indeed the Lincoln.

The Lincoln that Queen Elizabeth II rode in in 1976

All in all the Long Bay Beach Resort was a nice place to stay. It’s also just a short walk or even shorter cab ride to Bomba’s Shack (hosting the Virgin Islands’ Full Moon Party each month), and Sebastian’s on the Beach. It’s about a 15-20 minute cab ride to Road Town where most of the ferries arrive/depart for other islands, but if you’re only planning a day or two of excursions, Long Bay Beach is a great place to relax, unwind, and enjoy a sunset or three.