[Edited on 5-21-2011 by BajaNomad]JESSE - 5-21-2011 at 01:50 PM
One of the best.Bajahowodd - 5-21-2011 at 04:31 PM
In my opinion, it matters what your expectations are. Manzanilla, without question, turns out some amazing dishes. If I had a complaint, it would be
that the physical plant/ the ambience, is closer to being a coffee shop than a fine dining restaraunt. Admittedly, there are times when one must
suspend the creature comforts for the experience of the cuisine.
An alternative, if you have not been there, may be El Rey Sol, located on Lopez Mateos.
We have had a number of absolutely wonderful dining experiences in both Manzanilla and Rey Sol.
My prsonal recommendation is that anbiance matters, or just how much of it factors into the equation, you may just find El Rey Sol preferable. You
cannot go wrong with either.
Just as a chuckle, Ipost this quote found on Trip Advisor. Just goes to show how shallow and silly people can be.
"Each time we go to Ensenada via a cruise ship from LA (which is about three times per year) we head to El Rey Sol. The french food is wonderful and
actually tops some of the cruise food."
Translation: Some yokel from who knows where seriously compares cuisine in local serious restaurants with the banquet fare they are eating on a cruise
ship.
Quality versus quantity, mehinks.bajaking76 - 5-21-2011 at 05:56 PM
Thank you for the info, can either of you tell me the locations of these two places?Gypsy Jan - 5-21-2011 at 06:16 PM
And if you look at the Baja Trip Reports section here on Baja Nomad, there is a review of Manzanilla that I re-posted just the other day from Chowhond
(Mexicali to Ensenada Long is the title).
[Edited on 5-22-2011 by Gypsy Jan]O.G. - 5-21-2011 at 07:34 PM
Fine dining is one of my hobbies.
Manzanilla is good but one feels like you're dining in an art museum, the ambiance is cold and sterile. Moreover, the menu hasn't changed at all and
new entrees would be welcome.
Del Sol is off of my list. Twice, the dinners were waaay too salty! The ambiance is that of a fine French restaurant but the food did not meet
expectations. Lobster Thermadore was too salty!!!
For ambiance, I sometimes eat at a cafe next to that Paris en la Noche strip club and watch the "brown underbelly of life" parade. Not a place to take
a date or your wife to, but to me that is real Bohemian street life ambiance and the food is cooked right in front of you -- sometimes you have to
share the counter with the tortillas being made under your nose.
Hi, Where is This Place?
Gypsy Jan - 5-21-2011 at 08:15 PM
Fine dining is one thing and street dining is another.
Just asking.
GJ
[Edited on 5-22-2011 by Gypsy Jan]Roberto - 5-21-2011 at 08:26 PM
Interesting that one would have a hobby without knowing the name of the restaurant you just panned.
It's been a couple years since my last time at El Rey Sol , but that night there was an young opera student, and the food was great. As it was every
other time I've been there. Did you consider telling them there was too much salt? I'm sure they would have done something about it.
[Edited on 5-22-2011 by Roberto]bajabound2005 - 5-22-2011 at 08:57 AM
and an addendum: Muelle 3 is no longer operated by Benito Molina of Manzanilla, it is now David Martinez.DENNIS - 5-22-2011 at 09:11 AM
Seems as though these chef/operators drift around a lot. Wonder why that is?bajabound2005 - 5-22-2011 at 09:47 AM
for muelle 3, David was running the place and he ending up buying it.
The museum
Dave - 5-22-2011 at 09:48 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
My prsonal recommendation is that anbiance matters, or just how much of it factors into the equation, you may just find El Rey Sol preferable. You
cannot go wrong with either.
El Rey Sol is accurate example of what, 40 years ago, passed for elegant French dining. Flocked wallpaper, waiter's uniforms, antiquated menu items,
everything's exactly as if one stepped into a "way-back" machine.
Great fun...food's not bad, either. I hope they never decide to change it and F it up.DENNIS - 5-22-2011 at 10:00 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Dave
Great fun...food's not bad, either. I hope they never decide to change it and F it up.
What?? You mean they probably won't be putting Bean Cones and Micheladas on the menu?
