BajaNomad

Restaurant suggestions in Ensenada

vetra - 3-25-2008 at 12:26 PM

My wife and I are planning to make sort of a whirlwind day trip to Ensenada from San Diego this coming Sunday---got lots of advice (sometimes conflicting, but all in all very helpful) about things to do etc. Our original plan was to drive straight down to Ensenada, spend a few hours and maybe hit Puerto Nuevo for a lobster dinner on the way back. Some suggested this might be pushing it and that we might want to consider taking Highway 3 on the way back for some different scenery, etc. Sounds like an interesting alternative, but kind of like the idea of dining on lobster outside, nice view of the ocean, that seemed part of the appeal of Puerto Nuevo.

Any suggestions for restaurants that serve Puerto Nuevo style lobsters in Ensenada or Punta Banda, with a nice outdoor view?

Also we hope to leave real early in the morning on Sunday on our way down--anyu suggestions for a nice breakfast with a view somewhere between Tijuana and Ensenada?

Thanks as always!

bajabass - 3-25-2008 at 12:40 PM

The brunch at La Fonda I can personally vouch for. La Fonda is in La Mision, about halfway between Rosarito and Ensenada. Right on the beach, up on a small cliff, on a clear day, a great view of the ocean and all the surfers at K-58. a huge choice of foods, with an omlette bar, taco bar, homemade tortillas, while you watch! Wait a little extra time for a killer patio seat!!!:biggrin::yes:

Bob H - 3-25-2008 at 12:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabass
The brunch at La Fonda I can personally vouch for. La Fonda is in La Mision, about halfway between Rosarito and Ensenada. Right on the beach, up on a small cliff, on a clear day, a great view of the ocean and all the surfers at K-58. a huge choice of foods, with an omlette bar, taco bar, homemade tortillas, while you watch! Wait a little extra time for a killer patio seat!!!:biggrin::yes:


I second that... in addition, the last time we went to the Sunday brunch there, the price included unlimited bloody marys! Bring your camera - you will be blown away. Look for the two chickens walking around the tables, unreal atmosphere.
Bob H

vetra - 3-25-2008 at 01:14 PM

yes, I had read about La Fonda and thought that might be a good place to stop on the way down--does anyone know how early they open for breakfast/brunch? We are thinking of leaving San Diego about 7am (which I think is still 6am Baja time, at least for a week or two)--thinking that it might take us about an hour or so to get down that way--so it would still be fairly early...

bajabass - 3-25-2008 at 01:24 PM

I have not been down since getting married in Ensenada in Aug. I think they open at 11 on Sundays. Someone else may have a much more current report. My house in La Mision must think I don't love it any more. Let alone my poor little skiff. :(

Hook - 3-25-2008 at 01:43 PM

I wouldnt do the brunch. Their food is much better when it's made to order.

There's gotta be something good in that whole Hotel Rosas-Quintas Papagayo-Marina Coral-Punta Morro area...............someone here will know. Wait it out..........

Sallysouth - 3-25-2008 at 01:48 PM

Baja time is the same as ours right now, according to Mija, lives down south.I think (not sure) that La Fonda opens earlier on Sunday than 11am.It is an awesome place, great food and now, different levels of patio seating.Try the banana daquiris, ta die for!If you don't see dolphins and other sealife, it will be a rare thing.All the food is great, especially the Sunday brunch.Lots to choose from like Mexican dishes and always the made in front of you tortillas.All good!When there last, the service was the best we had ever.:bounce:

sylens - 3-25-2008 at 01:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
Baja time is the same as ours right now,


depending on what "ours" is. baja california is still on pacific standard time, one hour behind daylight saving time. so 7am california time is 6am baja california time. mexico (and the rest of the world, i think) won't change to daylight saving time until the first sunday in april.

DENNIS - 3-25-2008 at 02:11 PM

Research and planning are good things but, when you guys finally make your day trip, you'll already have been there. Why don't you just pile in your car and hit the road? The surprise is part of the journey.

Sallysouth - 3-25-2008 at 02:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by sylens
Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
Baja time is the same as ours right now,


depending on what "ours" is. baja california is still on pacific standard time, one hour behind daylight saving time. so 7am california time is 6am baja california time. mexico (and the rest of the world, i think) won't change to daylight saving time until the first sunday in april.
I just got off the phone with Mija, their time is the same as ours until, like sylens says, first Sunday in April.:yes: Maybe Baja Sur is different than Norte as far as the time goes?

[Edited on 3-25-2008 by Sallysouth]

Hook - 3-25-2008 at 02:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
Quote:
Originally posted by sylens
Quote:
Originally posted by Sallysouth
Baja time is the same as ours right now,


depending on what "ours" is. baja california is still on pacific standard time, one hour behind daylight saving time. so 7am california time is 6am baja california time. mexico (and the rest of the world, i think) won't change to daylight saving time until the first sunday in april.
I just got off the phone with Mija, their time is the same as ours until, like sylens says, first Sunday in April.:yes: Maybe Baja Sur is different than Norte as far as the time goes?

[Edited on 3-25-2008 by Sallysouth]


Thats because Baja sur is on Mountain Standard Time still. Since we sprang forward in Pacific Time in the US, our times match MST.

MST will again be an hour ahead of PDT when it turns to MDT in April.

thebajarunner - 3-25-2008 at 02:43 PM

Hotel Las Rosas is the first thing when you hit town, easy parking, and just an awesome view from the restaurant.
The food is o.k., not great, but never had a bad meal there, and the ambience is terrific.

In town, El Rey del Sol, is generally excellent, and a classy place.

Zip up to Guadalupe Valley and try either Mustafa or CorreCamino, they are across from each other in San Antonio de las Minas. I love the food at CorreCamino.

And, of course, a meal at Laja is one you will not forget.
(yeah, yeah, I know, you will never forget the price- well the whole deal is well worth it!)

bajaguy - 3-25-2008 at 03:24 PM

Breakfast or an early dinner at Sanos on the north end of Ensenada. Just past the Hotel Coral, same side of street, headed into Ensenada.

[Edited on 3-26-2008 by bajaguy]

SDRonni - 3-25-2008 at 03:27 PM

El Rey Sol gets my vote......

bajabound2005 - 3-25-2008 at 05:42 PM

Laja isn't open on Sundays. We've never done the Sunday brunch at La Fonda. We've done breakfast a number of times and enjoyed it well enought until they changed owners. It's a great spot but the food is so-so.

La Fonda

Gypsy Jan - 3-25-2008 at 06:11 PM

Stunning picturesque beach location and the hotel has a long, romantic history.

We have been customers of La Fonda for a very long time, but got turned off after several bad meals (brunch and dinner).

The all-you-can-drink bloody marys at brunch are terrible - meaning that they don't taste good, regardless of the maybe-or-maybe-not alcohol content.

The food handling is awful - huge vats with no sneeze guards and very little rotation or refreshment of long standing items. People use their hands to pick up food from the buffet and then return what they don't like back.

One month ago, we revisited the Sunday brunch with some friends. They told us that they got sick right after.

Try going Mexican

bancoduo - 3-25-2008 at 06:34 PM

Drive around the back streets of Ensenada and look for any small resturant. There you can devour a real Mexican breakfast, Instead of eating at a upscale:lol:expensive "yuppie" tourist trap. It will be the best breakfast you'll ever have. :rolleyes:

DENNIS - 3-25-2008 at 06:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bancoduo
Drive around the back streets of Ensenada and look for any small resturant. There you can devour a real Mexican breakfast, Instead of eating at a upscale:lol:expensive "yuppie" tourist trap. It will be the best breakfast you'll ever have. :rolleyes:


For sure.
Go to an Off-Juarez production of Mexican cooking, where the Chorizo was on the hoof only a few hours before and the hen is nesting right above the frypan. Don't be in a rush and leave a HUGE tip.

Sallysouth - 3-25-2008 at 07:06 PM

Jeez Gypsy jan, How sad you had those bad experiences! I have to confess, I always order from the menu and have not partaken of the Sunday brunch buffet.A few years back when "my other half" was working in Maneadero on a bi-weekly basis, with some others, we would stop for breakfast and no one ever got sick.That being said, I vote for El Rey Sol also as being a good dinner choice, but don't think they (vetra and wife) will be there at din-din time.We also like Haliotias for Ab dinners.For a laid back bar with mucho history and ambience in Ensenada, go to Bar El Rincon, just across the street from El Rey Sol .You gotta hike those stairs, so take yer shoes off!!!:tumble:

[Edited on 3-26-2008 by Sallysouth]

bajaguy - 3-25-2008 at 08:36 PM

For breakfast try Las Casuezlas KIKI. It is located behind the Chevrolet/GM Dealership on the south end of the beachfront business district on Blvd Costero. The cross street is Caricoles. It is family owned.

Another great place for breakfast is Moniques, located across the street from the Ensenada Police station on 9th street

[Edited on 3-26-2008 by bajaguy]

DENNIS - 3-25-2008 at 08:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Another great place for breakfast is Moniques, located across the street from the Ensenada Police station on 9th street


Great place, for sure. Call ahead to avoid the parade of winos holding up their beltless pants while being
marched across the street from the bastile to have a nice cup of hot water and powdered creamer at the restaurant. It gets really crowded then and you'll have trouble finding a place to sit.

Just kidding. Honestly, it is one of the best places in town.

makana.gabriel - 3-26-2008 at 12:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
Stunning picturesque beach location and the hotel has a long, romantic history.

We have been customers of La Fonda for a very long time, but got turned off after several bad meals (brunch and dinner).

The all-you-can-drink bloody marys at brunch are terrible - meaning that they don't taste good, regardless of the maybe-or-maybe-not alcohol content.

The food handling is awful - huge vats with no sneeze guards and very little rotation or refreshment of long standing items. People use their hands to pick up food from the buffet and then return what they don't like back.

One month ago, we revisited the Sunday brunch with some friends. They told us that they got sick right after.


What happened to La Fonda?? Ever since Dimitri sold, the food has become bland and normal!

bajabound2005 - 3-26-2008 at 08:04 AM

Well, if you're coming as far as Ensenada, you might as well go as far as Punta Banda and try Baja Mama's for a Sunday brunch. You'll have a great view, right on the beach, the food is pretty good and certainly plentiful for $10. In fact, there was a story about the restaurant in the first issue of the new English paper, Baja News. They open at 10:00 a.m.

Directions -- continue south on Mex 1 to the La Bufadora turn-off in Maneadero. Take that turn-off and drive approx 10 km just past the poblado Ejido Cantu. On the left is a bright yellow building, Uriel Farmacia. Just past that is a road to the right (also a sign to Punta Estero). Take that road. Follow that paved (I use that term loosely) road. You'll come to a security check, he'll just wave you through. Just before the next security check there is a road on your left that parallels a big wall. There are signs there for Baja Mama's. The security guy will open that gate for you and let you through. Buen provecho!

tripledigitken - 3-26-2008 at 08:19 AM

For a breakfast try La Costa. You would take the San Antonio exit, less than 5 miles from the first toll booth. If you get to Baja Malibu you missed it. I can't tell you when they open, except that we have stopped there for breakfast midmorning in the past.

It is foremost a seafood restaurant, but they serve a decent breakfast also with excellent service. It was not a buffet, just cooked to order. Best part they are right on the ocean and within 20 minutes of crossing the border. Give it a try.

Ken



[Edited on 3-27-2008 by tripledigitken]

Mike99km - 3-27-2008 at 07:31 AM

Why not try the Cafe Bohemia for breakfast. They are living there and might provide some insight. The thread is on the gen. board.