BajaNomad

Crossed Over Wednesday at TJ

dtutko1 - 1-8-2010 at 07:49 AM

Got our pesos at Costcos in Chula Vista, 12.89 to the dollar. Did not have to stop in Rosarito to 2-3 atms to find one with money. No problem at border, they asked for airstreams regestration was all, very friendly. Parked and walked back to migration to get FMT processed. Check point at G. Negro asked for FMT. 1st time that happened going south. 1st night at San Quintin. Tried Jardines, a little disapointed. Food ok, building needs to be Mexicanized, wall paintings etc. A little too sterile. Very few guests, coco shrimp ok and stuffed chicken good but meat not real fresh. Staff very friendly. Stayed next door at los olivios campground 190 pesos. We were the only ones there except family that cares for the grounds. Very good showers!
G. Negro night 2. Mallerimos $16/night. Safe feeling here w/several other travelers. Ate at San Remedio, one block behind supermarcado. Good atmosphere, good crowd, fresh fish, what else do you need.
Off to Coyote today.

DENNIS - 1-8-2010 at 08:20 AM

Seems "Crossing Over" has had an alternate meaning here lately. I'm glad yours was uneventful. No news is good news.

Bajahowodd - 1-8-2010 at 04:18 PM

IMHO, Jardines restaurant is the best there is between Ensenada and Loreto. Don't know quite what you were expecting for decor. If you are looking for primitivo Mexicano, eat at the stands.

Martyman - 1-8-2010 at 04:59 PM

Is "Crossing over" the same as "coming out of the closet"?

DENNIS - 1-8-2010 at 05:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
Is "Crossing over" the same as "coming out of the closet"?


I don't think it is. My reference is to "Passing Away."

DianaT - 1-8-2010 at 07:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtutko1
Got our pesos at Costcos in Chula Vista, 12.89 to the dollar. Did not have to stop in Rosarito to 2-3 atms to find one with money. No problem at border, they asked for airstreams regestration was all, very friendly. Parked and walked back to migration to get FMT processed. Check point at G. Negro asked for FMT. 1st time that happened going south. 1st night at San Quintin. Tried Jardines, a little disapointed. Food ok, building needs to be Mexicanized, wall paintings etc. A little too sterile. Very few guests, coco shrimp ok and stuffed chicken good but meat not real fresh. Staff very friendly. Stayed next door at los olivios campground 190 pesos. We were the only ones there except family that cares for the grounds. Very good showers!
G. Negro night 2. Mallerimos $16/night. Safe feeling here w/several other travelers. Ate at San Remedio, one block behind supermarcado. Good atmosphere, good crowd, fresh fish, what else do you need.
Off to Coyote today.


Good to hear the reviews from different people. We like Jardines, except the acoustics---maybe more things on the wall would help.

San Remedio is one of our favorites.

Sounds like you are having a good time so far and hope you continue to do so. Look forward to your next report.

[Edited on 1-9-2010 by DianaT]

Jardines

dtutko1 - 1-9-2010 at 09:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
IMHO, Jardines restaurant is the best there is between Ensenada and Loreto. Don't know quite what you were expecting for decor. If you are looking for primitivo Mexicano, eat at the stands.

I didn't say anything about primitvo. While the food was ok to good. The setting was very americanized. in my opinion, Santo Remedio in G. Negro was better all around. I would have to vote for Rays in Mulege as the best all around from the border to Loreto. We were there last night with 18 friends from Bahia Coyote. Ray put on quite a meal. And worked the table like the pro he is.

Skipjack Joe - 1-9-2010 at 10:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtutko1
Tried Jardines, a little disapointed. Food ok, building needs to be Mexicanized, wall paintings etc.


I know where you're coming from.

It has such a high standard that it no longer feels like baja. It's a place that would attract gringos, but not Mexicans themselves. It lacks the warmth of most baja restaurants. It was almost solemn in there. The quietness with the polite, attentive waiters watching your every move and need seemed sterile.

The food was excellent. The interior was beautiful and the large windows brightened up the place wonderfully. I will be going back, though. Just to see if it was an off day for me.

We've always eaten at Isabel's in the San Quintin area and, although more modest in appearance, the food seems to be just as good if not better, with a larger menu.

I don't want to give the impression that we didn't like Las Jardines (after all we never explored their grounds). Just to say that we understand the poster's observations.

DianaT - 1-10-2010 at 05:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Quote:
Originally posted by dtutko1
Tried Jardines, a little disapointed. Food ok, building needs to be Mexicanized, wall paintings etc.


I know where you're coming from.

It has such a high standard that it no longer feels like baja. It's a place that would attract gringos, but not Mexicans themselves.


I would like to see more decoration, but the places seems to be quite popular with the local Mexican ranchers. We have been there a number of times now and there is almost always one or two groups of locals eating there, and the bar is also popular with the locals----yes, the locals with more money.

Funniest thing we saw on one stop there was a Federal Police Officer who walked into the poorly marked woman's restroom---he came out so fast and had that look that said, gees, I hope no one saw that----it also seems popular with some of those officers.

Do give it another try. No it is not the Baja most of us are used to from over the years, times are changing.

Bajahowodd - 1-10-2010 at 05:41 PM

That's true. almost every time we've been there, the locals outnumbered the tourists. I won't quibble that the decor could be more "Mexican" and more inviting. But everytime we've been there, the food, service and the drinks were top notch.

I'm assuming the reference to Isabel was Santa Isabel, further North. I must concur that the food was excellent. If I was to rate the Jardines and Santa Isabel side to side, I would choose the Jardines.

That out of the way, tell me where one can find a better overall experience than Ray's? In some respects, we actually plan our Baja trips for the restaurants. Mulege presents the greatest challenge because they have way more high caliber restaurants than accommodations. On another current thread, there are pictures of the great cantina at Serenidad (I believe courtesy of Pompano). Oh, if the rooms were anywhere close to the wonderful style and experience of the bar.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 3-11-2010 at 11:15 PM

Hola, does anyone have any opinions about conchita's in el socorro ?

i'm giving it a try tomorrow on my way to los barriles and hopefully, i can make guerrero negro before dark.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

jodiego - 3-12-2010 at 08:44 AM

Quote:
Quote:



I know where you're coming from.

It has such a high standard that it no longer feels like baja. It's a place that would attract gringos, but not Mexicans themselves. It lacks the warmth of most baja restaurants. It was almost solemn in there. The quietness with the polite, attentive waiters watching your every move and need seemed sterile.


If my memory serves me right, the restaurant is round. Can't recall ever eating in a round restaurant. Seems to me that doesn't really allow for much decor. The food and drink were excellent as was our diminutive waitress.

Bajahowodd - 3-12-2010 at 03:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Hola, does anyone have any opinions about conchita's in el socorro ?

i'm giving it a try tomorrow on my way to los barriles and hopefully, i can make guerrero negro before dark.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT


If you really want to search, and have the time... I do recall that BajaGringo posted that he ate their and was highly complimentary.

David K - 3-12-2010 at 06:43 PM

We both had the steak and lobster dinner at Baja JARDINES (it was our anniversary). It was good... but the most expensive dinner of our entire vacation... including a great meal in Loreto at a really fine restaurant Phil C took us to.

Later, after checking in to our room in El Rosario, we each had a great fresh squeezed OJ tequila sunrise made by Ed at 'Baja's Best Restaurant'... and the food there has always been great and inexpensive!






Hey, they served PACIFICO... and that counts!