Dining at the chef’s counter at Senia Restaurant in Honolulu, Hawaii, was definitely one of the highlights of our trip back in January. My fiancé and I have birthdays two days apart, so I took on the challenge of finding some of the best restaurants in Honolulu for our festivities. I’m not going to lie, I think I hit the jackpot choosing Senia for my birthday dinner! From the moment we sat down at the chef’s counter, we immediately felt welcomed. It was a very comfortable environment and we all (including our dining neighbors) became very good friends for the next three and a half hours.

The tasting menu outline was typical of what you would find in California, however, the Hawaiian influence on each dish really made this dinner stand out. The flavors of Hawaii make my tastebuds very, very happy. And yes, we have fresh fish galore living in Southern California, but there’s just something about fresh fish from Hawaii. It’s on another level.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with a birthday card signed by everyone in the kitchen and the sommelier didn’t waste any time offering us a celebratory glass of champagne. Yes, please! It’s always a great start to any restaurant experience when your celebrations are acknowledged. I like to feel special, ok??

Unfortunately, Chef (and owner) Anthony Rush was out of town during our tasting, but between the sommelier and the manager, we had excellent conversation and service. They both did a great job filling in, however it obviously would have been nice to see Chef Anthony in action.

The food overall was very enjoyable. The standouts for me were the premier white sturgeon caviar with sunkchoke and the foie gras with honey, chestnut, and cranberry. I am very aware I’m a basic bitch. I could have easily eaten two more of each of these dishes. As for the wine pairing, it couldn’t have been more spot-on. I enjoyed every single glass of wine that was served and that’s pretty rare for me. After our meal, I decided to “revisit” the Lionel Faury “Les Ribaudes”, Saint-Joseph Blanc, FR 2022 as a nightcap. I mean, what could go wrong ordering yet another glass of wine after a full pairing and port? Unfortunately, as history will show, it is predicted I will never learn my lesson on that one.

Senia Honolulu Photos

If you’re looking for fine dining in Honolulu, Hawaii, look no further than Senia. The relaxed yet attentive atmosphere, the classic dishes with a Hawaiian twist, and the killer wine list made for a very fun and delicious birthday dinner. If you want to get a seat at the chef’s counter like we did, I highly recommend making reservations as soon as they release as these seats get booked quickly. Check out their website for more reservation information.

Review of Senia Restaurant in Honolulu, Hawaii

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After traveling to Cabo San Lucas for years now, there are a few staple restaurants in Cabo that I look forward going back to every trip. I’m always trying new spots and scoping out the ever-evolving food scene in Los Cabos but the following restaurants are tried and true. Trust me, they’re that good.

Los Tres Gallos Cabo

Los Tres Gallos in downtown Cabo San Lucas was a last minute find on my most recent trip in September 2020. Ironically, they now hold the number one spot on my list of restaurants in Los Cabos I recommend to travelers!

My boyfriend and I had no dinner plans our last night and while waiting for a taxi, we chatted with the valet about restaurants in the marina. We looked up a few of their recommendations and read some reviews but one restaurant stood out among the rest, Los Tres Gallos.

The ambiance is what initially drew me in. It’s open, inviting and traditionally decorated. I immediately felt we were about to have a delicious traditional Mexican meal and that’s exactly what we received. 

The margaritas were fresh and well-made and served in different fun cups. Mine was served in a repurposed Clase Azul tequila bottle! They also had a nice selection of beers and wine as well. When I did order a glass of wine to go with dinner, they did try and push the California wines, but while in Mexico, branch out and try some of their wine! Valle de Guadalupe is an amazing wine region in Mexico so I highly recommend something from that area. 

The food was incredible. The tableside Caesar salad is a must, my shrimp was cooked perfectly and the Chile relleno had the perfect amount of breading and oh so cheesy! And of course, we had to end the night with Mexican coffees. It’s a must. A table saw us order them and immediately asked their waiter for some as well.

However, what really makes Los Tres Gallos so special is the staff. The hostesses, the bartenders, the waitstaff and the kitchen staff are extremely nice and attentive. They actually care about your experience and it shows. 

If you’re looking for a nice traditional Mexican meal with delicious margaritas and food, Los Tres Gallos is your place!

Toro Latin Kitchen & Bar

Toro Latin Kitchen & Bar is another go-to restaurant in Cabo San Lucas that never lets me down. I can’t remember how we found it, but I’ve been several times now and we make it a point to get a dinner reservation every time we’re in town. 

The menu is Latin American with some Asian and Mexican dishes sprinkled in. Their seafood is top notch here! The ceviche, octopus and sushi rolls are a must order. I honestly have never had a bad dish at Toro, so order away! It’s all bound to be delicious.

On a nice night, I highly recommend sitting outdoors on their back patio if you can! They usually have live music on the weekends that is nice to listen to while enjoying your meal. There’s also a big firepit with seating around that you can enjoy one of their beautiful hand-crafted cocktails or a nice glass of wine.

We usually find ourselves retiring to the fire pit for the evening after our meal to enjoy one last glass of wine (or two) before heading off to bed. It’s pure bliss I tell ya! 

The staff here is extremely nice and helpful however, this is a very popular dinner spot and the waitstaff isn’t as attentive as you might like them to be. They’re usually pretty busy running from table to table especially on a busy night. However, when you do have their attention, you get all of their attention for those few minutes to order or ask whatever you would like. We don’t have too much of a problem with this as we have been many times before and knew the menu pretty well. The food speaks for itself!

Toro is definitely a trendier restaurant here in Cabo San Lucas and should probably be saved for a nice date night or a group of adults dining together. The atmosphere and the food are always a hit and you’ll definitely impress whoever you take here!

Nicksan Cabo San Lucas

Oh come on, you KNEW a Sushi restaurant was going to make this list! Nicksan in Cabo San Lucas is the best sushi restaurant in town! I’ve been coming here ever since I started traveling to Cabo many years ago and they’ve held a spot in the top restaurants in Los Cabos for over 26 years. Yeah, they’re a big deal around here.

The fish is super fresh and their nigiri and sashmi plates are some of my favorites! They don’t have a large list of rolls, which I prefer. They have your typical basic rolls (that are honestly anything but basic) and a few specialty rolls. I always go for the specialty rolls as they tend to have a little Mexican influence to them that I find very unique and tasty!

My favorite place to sit is at the huge round sushi bar in the middle of the restaurant. The sushi chefs are very friendly and like to chat with you while making rolls. If you’re lucky, they will even make you something special. This happened a lot more when I was younger as they were impressed a child would eat raw fish haha.

I recently discovered they just finished a renovation which I’m extremely excited to see. The atmosphere before was always nice and bright with a lot of room to move around so I’m excited to see what they’ve done with the place.

If you’re looking for some good sushi while in Mexico, I highly recommend Nicksan. They’re located just steps from the Marina so it’s not hard to find them with their ideal location. I would recommend the sushi bar if you’re looking for a more casual experience or a table if you’re looking for more privacy.

Unfortunately, all my photos are from before I learned to take photos of food so they’re pretty terrible quality haha but I’ll make sure to update this post with photos when I visit again this year!

Tacos Guss

When you visit any town in Mexico, what’s something you ask the locals? Where has the best tacos of course!! We asked many, many taxi drivers, valets and waitstaff and every single one had Tacos Guss on their list.

Tacos Guss is located in the Marina on a side street near Cabo Wabo if I remember correctly. It’s a super casual and small taco stand with only a handful of covered tables so there may be a wait if you’re looking to dine in. 

We found this to be a perfect break from walking around the marina or a late night snack. The tacos are bomb (they have every protein you can think of), the beer is ice cold and the salsa and vegetables are fresh. What more could you ask for?

I definitely recommend Tacos Guss for your street taco fix while in Los Cabos. I’m craving them now just typing this up. I don’t know what it is, but I just can’t find anything as good here in San Diego. I guess I’ll just have to wait to get my taco fix next time I’m in Cabo!

Welp, there you have it. My go-to restaurants in Los Cabos. My tried and true favorites that never let me down! Have you eaten at any of these spots? What did you think?

And as always, comment below with your recommendations for my next trip! As I mentioned before, I’m always looking for new places to try out.

Related Posts:

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Traveling to Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita During the Pandemic

Best Restaurants in Cabo San Lucas

The post My Favorite Restaurants in Cabo San Lucas appeared first on A Blonde's Eye View.

Throughout this whole COVID-19 dining experience, one North County San Diego neighborhood really surprised me. Bressi Ranch in Carlsbad, California is a newer development just east of the 5 that has all your necessities; grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants, workout studios, etc. However, it’s the Bressi Ranch restaurants that absolutely killed it this last year. They kind of led the pack with peaceful protests when dining-in got shut down the second time. The restaurant owners fought for their businesses and livelihood all while making some delicious food. I really do admire that.

While there are different types of restaurants in Bressi Ranch ranging from super casual order at the counter types to more sit-down date night spots, I wanted to highlight my 3 favorites! Trust me, I spend a lot of time here as my boyfriend lives within walking distance so we often walk over for dinner or drinks. The following three restaurants are the ones we find ourselves coming back to over and over again.

1. Ebullition Brew Works and Gastronomy

Ebullition Brew Works and Gastronomy was the biggest surprise for me and is currently my favorite Bressi Ranch restaurant. When they first opened, I did what one should not and judged a book by its cover. I know, I know, I’m sorry! I just thought it would be another brewery with bar food. Boy was I wrong.

While yes, Ebullition is a brewery, their tasting room is actually just a few miles up the road in Vista, and they do have a few bar food items, their always changing specials are where it’s at! 

Chef Gunnar Scott Planter trained at the local fine dining French staple Mille Fleurs in Rancho Santa Fe before becoming the executive chef here at Ebullition so you know the food is going to be incredible. 

An example of one of their killer specials was Tom Kha Mussels. We were skeptical but that completely vanished after the first bite. First of all, they gave you a lot of mussels which is always a plus, but the light Thai coconut broth with lemongrass and lime really made the dish. We soaked up every last drop of that broth which was perfect on a cool night sitting outside!

Chef Gunnar also offers special dining experiences if you order in advance. He’s currently offering a Tomahawk Steak special and I even saw a large group in a couple weeks ago doing a special tasting menu. I highly recommend hitting him up on Instagram @gunnarscottplanter and seeing what his current offers are!

Ebullition Brew Works and Gastronomy is your place if you’re looking for some good beers, tasty shareable appetizers and some amazing weekly specials!

Recommendations:

• Black Garlic Shrimp: roasted black garlic, squid ink, spicy soli and crispy garlic ponzu.
• Korean Hot Wings: crispy wings tossed in tangy and sweet gochujang wing sauce with miso ranch dip.
• Whatever the weekly special is. There’s no doubt it’s going to be tasty!

2. Casero Taqueria

My favorite part about Casero Taqueria is that everything is made in-house. I’m even talking about their tortillas (corn and flour), all of their salsas and guacamole. All from scratch! So you know everything you’re ordering here is fresh and in season. 

I’m not going to lie, when Casero first opened, I initially steered clear of this place because you had to order at the counter, grab your number and sit down. I personally do not like that type of dining and refused to go. I know, I can be a little high maintenance sometimes. However, after what I’m sure was a bunch of customer feedback, they changed into a fully sit-down restaurant! That’s when I ventured in and fully enjoyed my taqueria experience.

First of all, their margarita and tequila selections are top notch! They even had my current favorite, Fortaleza which isn’t found too often at more casual Mexican food restaurants. Their bar also has an indoor section and an outdoor section which I always appreciate. The décor is super cute and trendy with big comfy couches on their outdoor patio and cute cactus and succulent accents throughout. 

Now let’s talk food. Casero’s motto is, “Baja inspired, Carlsbad made.” This Bressi Ranch restaurant is definitely community focused so seeing this motto really makes you feel proud to live in Carlsbad and have this gem! 

Anywho, I can usually gauge how good a restaurant is by how they cook their shrimp. Shrimp tacos are my favorite type of taco so it’s always what I order (or a dish with shrimp) the first time I try a new Mexican spot. The shrimp was cooked perfectly!  We all know shrimp can be easily messed up so when a shrimp dish comes out not overcooked or chewy, it’s a win for me!

If you’re looking for some good tacos, tortas and margaritas in a bright and trendy atmosphere, Casero Taqueria in Bressi Ranch is your spot! It would be a great restaurant to go with friends for happy hour or even on a cute date night. 

Recommendations: 

• Empanadas: fried house masa filled with melted Oaxaca Cheese and garnished with cotija and guacamole. Served with chipotle ranch.
• Shrimp Taco: grilled or baja style, Casero seasoned shrimp, cilantro slaw, crema and salsa fresca.
• Torta Ahogada: fresh baked bolillo filled carnitas, refried beans, pickled onion, cilantro slaw, cotija cheese and a dried chile broth. 

3. Giaola Italian Kitchen Bressi Ranch

Giaola Italian Kitchen in Bressi Ranch is becoming one of my go-to spots for a big comforting bowl of Bolognese Al Forno and a nice glass of red wine. The atmosphere is welcoming, the food hits the spot and the wine and cocktail selection is well-curated. You have to try their Italian Mule, it is so so good! 

Giaola has all the classic homemade Italian dishes ranging from spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan and fettucine carbonara. They have all the staples you can think of and add their own little contemporary flair to make it their own. 

Of course, this isn’t the best Italian food I’ve ever had in Carlsbad, but with it being so close to me, it’s very convenient and I mean, I love how much cheese they use in their dishes haha. What really makes this place is the wait staff and bartenders. Anthony and Bryce are my favorites there! They both work the bar, so if you’re looking for a good chat, sit at the bar and enjoy!

Recommendations:

• Giaola Carpaccio: seared beef, shaved pecorino, arugula, fried capers, violet mustard, lemon pepper crème fraiche and crostini.
• Bolognese Al Forno: rigatoni, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan and marinara.
• Chicken Parmesan: fettucine, garlic, basil, mozzarella, marinara and herb oil. 
• Torchio Taranto: torchio pasta, prosciutto, English peas, marinara alfredo and oven roasted tomatoes.

Well there you have it, the 3 best Bressi Ranch restaurants! If you live in the area, or ever find yourself in this area of Carlsbad and are hungry, I highly recommend these three restaurants! I’ve been to each several times and they never disappoint.

Have you tried any of these spots? What are your thoughts? Or did this post help you discover some new restaurants you want to add to your list to try? Let me know in the comments below!

Thank you for reading!

The Best Restaurants in Bressi Ranch

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Who knew Puerto Vallarta, Mexico had such a good food scene?? I sure didn’t. Imagine my surprise when I started researching restaurants before our trip and pages of highly rated spots popped up for breakfast, lunch and dinner! I was overwhelmed. I persevered determined to find my favorite Puerto Vallarta restaurant! I went through multiple pages and made a short list of restaurants that I definitely wanted to try. I also made an extended list of possible alternatives if we couldn’t get into the ones on the short list.

During this trip to Puerto Vallarta, we stayed at an all inclusive so breakfast and lunch were eaten at the resort so most of these restaurants below are for dinner. It also made sense to try and stay away from downtown as our trip was taken during the COVID-19 pandemic and we wanted to be safe as possible.

If you’re curious what it’s like traveling to Puerto Vallarta during the pandemic, I recently wrote a blog post about my experience at the airport, resorts and downtown. In the meantime, below are the four restaurants in Puerto Vallarta we dined at and my thoughts on each one!

The Iguana Restaurant and Tequila Bar

Looking for stunning views of Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay while eating delicious contemporary Mexican cuisine and sipping some of the finest tequilas from the Jalisco region? This is your place. The menu is definitely on the more traditional side of Mexican cuisine but there’s a little personal touch in each dish that Executive Chef Jesus Suastegui incorporates to have a more modern flare.

For example, their Poblano Chile in Puff Pastry stuffed with squash blossoms and cream cheese topped with a roasted pepper and goat cheese sauce. The puff pastry was such a great complimentary crunch to the poblano and the squash blossoms were a pleasant surprise! I loved the subtle creativity in each dish and of course, the cocktails. 

I honestly had no idea until we arrived, but Casa Kimberly, where The Iguana Restaurant is located, was actually gifted to Elizabeth Taylor for her 32^nd birthday by Richard Burton. During their early romance while both were still married to others, Burton arranged for Elizabeth to stay in Casa Kimberly. The Casa is located across the street from his own house while filming The Night of the Iguana. He even had a bridge built connecting the two casitas to avoid paparazzi. When dining here, you’ll definitely feel the extravagance of the many crystal chandeliers and antique sculptures located throughout the dining room. However, there’s extra charm added knowing that Elizabeth Taylor once roamed these very walls. 

Recommendations: Basil Cucumber Margarita, Lobster Tacos, Squash Blossoms, Poblano Chile in Puff Pastry, Diablo Shrimp and of course to top it all off, a Mexican Coffee.

Café Des Artistes Restaurant Puerto Vallarta

A French inspired Puerto Vallarta Mexican restaurant. Can you imagine it? Ok, now take that thought and multiply it by 100 because this meal was better than I could have ever imagined. Chef Thierry Blouet, born in Puerto Rico, is trained in both French and Mexican cuisine. He has taken his love of both cultures and has thrived in Puerto Vallarta where he owns multiple restaurants with Café Des Artistes being the most prominent. And of course, when a chef is given the most prestigious award in the industry and is officially included in the “Maitres Cuisiniers de France,” you can expect anything with his name attached to it to be quite the experience for all of the senses. 

Café Des Artistes is most known for their exterior garden dining area. What started 22 years ago has developed into a lush and almost forest like atmosphere. Tall trees and all variety of plants have enveloped the terraces. Add in stringed lights throughout the garden and this combination makes for one of the most romantic dining scenes I’ve ever seen with my own two eyes. 

With a good-sized menu and an option for the current tasting menu and wine pairing, there is much to try but only so much room in the stomach unfortunately. I can’t wait to go back and try some of the other items that were calling my name but didn’t get to. 

I have to say if I had to choose now, I would choose Café des Artistes as one of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta!

Recommendations: 

• Seared Rougie Foie Gras in Mole with truffled potato siphon, black mole and vinegar sauce, spice bread, tropical salpicon
• Tuna and Avocado Over Salt Block with bread chips, habanero mayonnaise, seaweed, radish and salmon roe, Itsmenas chips
• Suckling Lamb crusted with pistachios, crunchy ossobuco, eggplant cloud, braised carrot, cruncy garlic
• Milk Caramel Fondant with pecan crumble, banana ice cream, caramelized banana

De Mita Restaurant Punta Mita

De Mita in Punta Mita was one of the more casual restaurants we ate at on this trip. However, it was still a delicious meal none the less! De Mita has prime real estate right on the beach in downtown Punta Mita so sunsets here are a must. We were lucky enough to snag a table at opening and the restaurant quickly filled up after us so. I highly recommend calling and making reservations ahead of time. 

The motto here is, “fresh ingredients, high quality standards and providing an unforgettable experience.” Their selection of fish for the night is brought in daily by local fishermen so have no doubt that your fish selection is as fresh as it gets!

One of my favorite parts about this restaurant is the freshness of their margaritas. There is nothing pre-made about these. All margaritas are made to order with fresh squeezed lime juice and your choice of tequila. Just the way I like them! Combined with the lively atmosphere and traditional décor, DeMita makes for perfect restaurant in Punta Mita for dinner with friends and family. It would even make a good spot for a date night if you can snag one of the two seaters on the beach.

Recommendations: Fresh Margarita, whatever fresh sashimi they have that day (we got yellowtail and it was delicious), Grilled Chile Relleno stuffed with cheese and shrimp and the jumbo prawns. 

SeaBreeze Restaurant at St Regis Punta Mita

SeaBreeze Restaurant & Bar is located at the St Regis Punta Mita which is where we stayed the first few nights before heading into Puerto Vallarta. One of the more casual restaurants on property, SeaBreeze has something for everyone. Chef Julio Curiel has curated a Latin bistro concept that ranges from ceviche to empanadas to pizza to Argentinean-style steaks! Like I said before, something for everyone!

Now most places that have a wide range of items on their menu doesn’t usually execute them all very well. SeaBreeze is not most places. Every single item we had was cooked beautifully and the flavors were spot on. I was truly impressed. I definitely recommend this restaurant in Punta Mita if you’re staying on property or even if you happen to be in the area and you’re looking for a nice casual dinner overlooking the ocean or at their beautiful outdoor bar. Now disclaimer, the food is pricey here, but that is usually expected at a restaurant located on a St Regis property.

Recommendations: Ceviche, empanadas and the Argentinean-style steaks. 

Out of these four restaurants, Café Des Artistes has officially won my award for best Puerto Vallarta restaurant! The flavors, the ambiance, the cocktails and the wine list were perfect. It was an experience I’ll never forget and I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in PV.

I’m curious, if you’ve been to Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita, what are your favorite restaurants? I’m always looking to add to my list! Oh, and let me know if you try any of these. Or if you’ve added them to your own list.

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