RAMONA, CALIFORNIA – When I heard that Mario Medina was taking over the kitchen at American steakhouse The Main Course Restaurant in Ramona, I couldn’t make the connection. When I met chef Mario – originally from Mexico City – he was executive chef at Finch’s in La Jolla, where he [Read More]
MEXICALI, B.C. – Mexicali – a border town 90 minutes east of San Diego – is known outside of Baja California primarily for its agriculture, its maquiladoras, its Chinatown (la Chinesca), and that Grateful Dead song (is there anything a man don’t stand to lose?). And though most are aware [Read More]
SAN DIEGO – On Wednesday, March 9 from 6 -10PM, San Diegans will have the opportunity to sample the cuisine of Master Chef winner Claudia Sandoval and Master Chef 4th place winner Nick Nappi during RESTORING VALOR, a fundraising dinner and silent auction being held at Border X Brewing in Barrio [Read More]
TIJUANA – “Let’s add a little more water to the mix. There’s a certain consistency it reaches when you know that it’s ready.” Baja California chef Ryan Steyn drizzled a bit of water from a glass into my hands and I continued to knead my dough for the fresh pastas we were learning to [Read More]
TIJUANA – “Every year, there is a twist to this meal,” a fellow guest excitedly confided as we were seated for Tijuana restaurant Misión 19’s fifth anniversary dinner on January 21st. “Last year, the theme was the five senses. They served one course with a blindfold, so that you had to [Read More]
BAJA CALIFORNIA – 2015 was a good year in the advancement of Baja California as a contender for one of Mexico’s top culinary regions. So good that Travel + Leisure magazine hosted the 2015 Mexican Gourmet Awards in Ensenada, Valle de Guadalupe restaurant La Cocina de Doña Esthela was awarded [Read More]
During our ongoing series, Gems of Baja, San Diego Red’s team of culinary explorers set out to unearth some of Baja California’s lesser-known gastronomic treasures. PHOTOS: Cintia Soto www.CintiaSoto.com. TIJUANA – When it comes to famous entradas, everyone knows the Caesar’s salad — [Read More]
MEXICO CITY – Baja California cuisine was well-represented last week at the 2015 World Forum on Mexican Gastronomy (FMGM) held at the National Arts Center (CENART) in Mexico City. The third annual event was conceived and presented by the Cultural Conservatory for Mexican Gastronomy (CCGM) and [Read More]
TIJUANA, B.C. – When I write about an event or restaurant in Tijuana, I avoid beginning stories with rote commentary about the city’s problems with crime and cartels. Or assuring my readers that “…the streets are safer now, come on down and have a taco and some Baja Med!” After all, if I [Read More]
SAN DIEGO – My first exposure to Mexican artist Gennaro Garcia’s “Hecho a Mano” (Made by Hand) series was vis-à-vis my Instagram feed. Friends shared images of Garcia’s hand painted plates in use at a culinary event in San Diego earlier this year. Each piece in the series depicts a [Read More]
A Gringo in Mexico 