BajaNomad - Good Ensenada Restaurant

Good Ensenada Restaurant

fishingmako - 8-17-2009 at 06:08 PM

Could someone tell me of a good restaurant in Ensenada, that serves something more than the just typical mexican food, I'm looking for a good steak or other, not El Cid or el Rey Sol, been there need something new and good, also directions please!

Thanks for you expert help.

woody with a view - 8-17-2009 at 06:15 PM

i remember a thread about a place near the fish market along the water.

anyone?

Keri - 8-17-2009 at 06:31 PM

Pampas . Brazilian I think ,the meat comes to you on swords . A nice touch .They keep it coming until you cry for them to stop. Fantastic. On the main road down a couple blocks from the cruise port. Come with an appetite. Make sure you try the fried bananas in vanilla sauce and a glass of homemade baileys for dessert. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Edited on 8-18-2009 by Keri]

DENNIS - 8-17-2009 at 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Keri
Pampas .

Listen to Keri. The lady knows.

Gypsy Jan - 8-17-2009 at 07:18 PM

Hi fishingmako,

Please go to Masa Assasin's excellent blog for a real resource of well-informed and up-to-date information about great restaurants in Ensenada and the Valle de Guadulupe. He has been posting great information on Chowhound for years.

http://masaassassin.blogspot.com/

David K - 8-17-2009 at 07:28 PM

El Taco de Huitzilopochtli, in Ensenada. Open on weekends only. Avenida de las Rosas 242 Tel. (6) 174-23-81. It is located in the far north-east corner of town. :bounce:

[Edited on 8-18-2009 by David K]

Udo - 8-17-2009 at 07:31 PM

A terrific restaurant next door to the Ensenada fish market is Muelle Tres This was suggested to me by Bajabound2005, and it really was excellent food. It's a little restaurant along the waterfront area of the malecon. The menu is somewhat eclectic and posted on the wall. The wine list is also excellent. A good preview of the wines in Valle De Guadalupe.

[Edited on 8-18-2009 by udowinkler]

Steaks

bajaguy - 8-17-2009 at 07:53 PM

OK, OK.....I suggest Sano's, an upscale steak house that has been outstanding everytime we have been there. It is on Hwy 1, between Hotel Coral and the turn for the Ensenada Tourist District. Also have a great wine selection, and the margaritas are outstanding

DENNIS - 8-17-2009 at 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishingmako
Could someone tell me of a good restaurant in Ensenada, that serves something more than the just typical mexican food, I'm looking for a good steak or other, not El Cid or el Rey Sol, been there need something new and good, also directions please!

Thanks for you expert help.

Told you once...won't tell you again.
Listen to Miss Keri. She knows.

bajabound2005 - 8-18-2009 at 07:38 AM

My choices (and maybe Sylens will ring in here)

For a very nice restaurant: La Embotelladora Vieja (7th & Miramar)

Not as nice, but good food, a "hip" place: Manzanilla (about 2 blocks past immigration on the same side of the road) www.rmanzanilla.com/

Great food, very casual (seafood only): Muelle Tres (on the Malecon, north of Fish Market)

Have not yet been here, but it's on our list: Cinco Sabores (on Card##as) www.cincosabores.com

Not as "nice" as Embotelladora, but excellent food: La Cocedora de Langosta (just north of the fish market). Their website is under construction but they have a page of Facebook that they post the current menu on

Also casual but excellent food: Restaurante del Parque (6th & Montezuma), primarily outdoor dining on their beautiful patio. Seeing the bathrooms is worth the trip.

astrobaja - 8-18-2009 at 08:33 AM

I agree with Gypsy Jan's recommendation of the masa Assasins blog for spot on advice!

Our recent experiences:

La Manzanilla: always a world class dining experience, on par with Laja but earthier flavours. Superb service.
http://masaassassin.blogspot.com/2009/03/baja-dreaming.html

La Cocedora de Langostina: superb seafood tapas like food. The scallops in a smokey morita strawberry sauce was sublime and unique

Restaurante del Parque: we were dissapointed with this one, the store there sells never before seen Baja wines and artisinal beers! But the food just lacked the attention to detail that Laja, and La Manzanilla has. The thin crust pizza I had there was pretty good.

Laja:said to be one of the best in Mexico, its never been a letdown for us, always an amazing dining experience. Some on the board here have whined about the prices, but go to any top notch restaurant in San Diego and you would pay the same or more. I've yet to find anything as good in San Diego I might add!

Embotellatora: I would disagree with you on this one Bajabound the few times my Wife and I have gone, we were always very happy with all the starters but ultimatly let down somehow by the main courses, IMHO its just not in the same league as Laja or manzanilla, very nice ambiance though!

bajabound2005 - 8-18-2009 at 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by astrobajaEmbotellatora: I would disagree with you on this one Bajabound the few times my Wife and I have gone, we were always very happy with all the starters but ultimatly let down somehow by the main courses, IMHO its just not in the same league as Laja or manzanilla, very nice ambiance though!

New chef = new menu. We've been there 4-5 times in the past 6-8 months, every time, the food was perfect.

I would also highly recommend Laja, but it's in the Guadalupe Valley, not Ensenada. If you want to make the drive, well worth it. In fact, we are going there tomorrow. www.lajamexico.com

Pampas, on the other hand, is on our list of "don't go back to". While they serve you lots of different meats, they all tasted the same: salty.

[Edited on 8-18-2009 by bajabound2005]

astrobaja - 8-18-2009 at 08:46 AM

Ah ok new chef eh, well we will give it another try then! Thanks for that!

Bajahowodd - 8-18-2009 at 11:53 AM

You mentioned steak. Well, on Lopez Mateo at Guadalupe, one block from the Hotel San Nicolas, is Bronco's Steak House. Check the menu.
http://broncossteakhouse.net/

DENNIS - 8-18-2009 at 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
You mentioned steak. Well, on Lopez Mateo at Guadalupe, one block from the Hotel San Nicolas, is Bronco's Steak House. Check the menu.
http://broncossteakhouse.net/

Time tested too. Been there for a long time and the local Mexicans have been their clientele. It gets better as the middle class grows. Look in their parking lot. Full of really nice cars with Baja plates. Of course, that's like most parking lots in Chula Vista as well.

Bajahowodd - 8-18-2009 at 12:35 PM

Right, Dennis. The very fact that it isn't located in the heart of the main tourist area affects its clientele. They do a wide assortment of steaks and beef. And do it well.

DENNIS - 8-18-2009 at 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Right, Dennis. The very fact that it isn't located in the heart of the main tourist area affects its clientele.

In a positive way, I assume you mean?

Bajahowodd - 8-18-2009 at 12:53 PM

Yes I do. Except at race time, I would say the same about Las Cazuelas on Sanguines. We have often been the only foreigners eating there. San Nicolas is one of a couple of Hotels where we regularly stay. It's a short walk over to Bronco's.

woody with a view - 8-18-2009 at 05:24 PM

manzanillas was what i was thinkin.... do they have parking or do you take your chances at the parking lot for the fishing boats between the fish market and immigra?

bigmike - 8-18-2009 at 05:55 PM

I think Cinco Sabores should be our next try!!

If you go to Embotellatora ask for Chef Chema,
he is fantastic and we let him prepare the food for us,
we do not order. Tell hime Vince, Kathleen or Mike sent you.

shari - 8-18-2009 at 07:18 PM

PAMPAS...PAMPAS...PAMPAS...dont miss is...best meat I've ever eaten...way fun and what an amazing assortment of wonderful carne of all types.

DENNIS - 8-18-2009 at 07:28 PM

The rolling restaurants are still the best. I mean, does Embotelladora or Cinco Sabores serve a Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog? I doubt it. I really do.

bajabound2005 - 8-18-2009 at 08:23 PM

Plenty of street parking near Manzanilla. They use mostly local ingredients, you won't find steak, per se, on the menu. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, SHARI, Pampas is on our DON'T GO BACK TO list. You must like salt if you like that place!

fishingmako - 8-19-2009 at 08:15 PM

Thank you everyone for the fed back, I guess eventualy I'll try them all.

postholedigger - 8-21-2009 at 05:36 PM

I second Sano's Steakhouse. Primo steaks. I'd also recommend Carlos' La Finca.

About Pampa, how's the pricing?

bajabound2005 - 8-21-2009 at 05:39 PM

Bajaguy swears by Sano's but we've yet to make it there. Since we live in Baja full-time, and we can make great steak at home, going to a Steak House is not at the top of our list when it comes to restaurants. I like to go out for things that we don't do so well at when at home (or are just too much work!). I will say that Embotelladora does do an incredible beef wellington (something I would never do at home!)

Bob H - 8-22-2009 at 09:13 AM

c-cktieleria Mazatlan (sp?) ... can't beat the Almejas al Carbon! 10th Ave and Miramar across from the bus station.

David K comment?

Bob H

DENNIS - 8-22-2009 at 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
c-cktieleria Mazatlan (sp?) ... can't beat the Almejas al Carbon! 10th Ave and Miramar across from the bus station.
Bob H

OHHHHHH YEAH..........Another good one. Was there the other day. The place just keeps getting larger.

bajabound2005 - 8-22-2009 at 09:58 PM

let us remember that the original post requested steak...

Bajahowodd - 8-22-2009 at 11:44 PM

Hence, Bronco's.

David K - 8-23-2009 at 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
c-cktieleria Mazatlan (sp?) ... can't beat the Almejas al Carbon! 10th Ave and Miramar across from the bus station.

David K comment?

Bob H

This place?

6-11-05 016-r.JPG - 43kB

Yah Bob, it was good! June 11, 2005

David K - 8-23-2009 at 04:50 AM

The question asked for steak or other... this would be other:

bajaguy - 8-23-2009 at 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Hence, Bronco's.

Hence, Part II....Sano's

Bajahowodd - 8-23-2009 at 11:19 AM

GeoRock - 8-23-2009 at 02:12 PM

As I do not eat cows, I cannot attest to the quality of steaks at Bronco's Steakhouse. However, the group I was with thought the food was terrific. I ordered non-meat items and was completely pleased that I have since eaten there twice, and tried to a few other times but they were closed.

The salads are deep colored mixed greens, very fresh, and with just the right amount of dressing. Desserts are scrumptious.

My non-meat entrees are quality.

Service is FAST and their ambience is pleasant.

Bajahowodd - 8-23-2009 at 04:34 PM

Well, you're forcing me to come out of the closet. I don't eat beef, either, except on very rare occasions. That said, I still recommend Bronco's, exactly for the reasons you cited.

bajabound2005 - 8-23-2009 at 05:45 PM

So, the score for steak is looking like this
Bronco's 2
Sano's 2

Tie breakers?

DENNIS - 8-23-2009 at 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabound2005
So, the score for steak is looking like this
Bronco's 2
Sano's 2

Tie breakers?

Halioti's

Sanos hands down over Broncos

Keri - 8-23-2009 at 06:37 PM

even though I think Broncos is good also. Sanos is Great. Try their bleu cheese tower also. Scrumptious. We go and have that for lunch all the time. What happened to Pampas. 2005 I know you don't like it but I believe there was others that did besides myself. :smug:

bajabound2005 - 8-23-2009 at 07:59 PM

Quote:

Halioti's

Only if you can spell it correctly, and I don't think you'll see too many votes at a place known for "canned" abalone when you're looking for steak.

Haliotis (no apostrophe).

White tablecloths, tuxedo-ed waiters, limited (VERY) wine list, fab stained glass windows, great service.

DENNIS - 8-23-2009 at 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabound2005
limited (VERY) wine list,

Why do you need a list with forty selections when you're only going to order one?

JESSE - 8-23-2009 at 10:48 PM

Never been to Broncos, but Sano´s is pretty good.