BajaNomad

Damiana

Bajahowodd - 6-9-2013 at 04:06 PM

Wasn't sure whether to post this here or another topic thread.

This is a posthumous review.

Restaurant Damiana was located right on the town square in San Jose. It was opened in 1983.

While it had a diverse menu of both Mexican and continental cuisine, it's greatest attraction was the rear patio. The patio had a literal umbrella of bouganvillea, with lights strung though them.

Perhaps one of the most romantic settings one could find.

It was family operated, and the height of success was when they actually opened a second restaurant about 2/3 of the way down Boulevard Mijares toward the water.

The restaurant was even subject of an article in Bob Appetit magazine some years back.

We had many a satisfying dinner there; not to mention their great breakfasts. And they served a killer margarita.

A few years ago, apparently concurrent with the makeover of the town square, they began closing for the summer months.

During our most recent trip to Los Cabos, we found the place to be unsigned, shuttered, and emptied of furniture.

I'm guessing that there was some combination of the reconstruction of the square and the recent proliferation of all-inclusive resorts in the San Jose area that drove them to close.

A great loss. 1983-?

Was wondering if any locals on this board had more insight.

Thanks.

Bob H - 6-9-2013 at 04:32 PM

My wife and I went to this place years ago and it was wonderful. It's always sad to go back to a restaurant you really like and find the place boarded up!
:fire:

El Jefe - 6-9-2013 at 05:17 PM

We would go there frequently for a special night out after camping at Brisa del Mar trailer park which is also closed up. Alas, it was a great restaurant. I remember well the blue coast shrimp. Yum!

I cannot help with why they went out of business. There was rather an explosion of fancy places in town during the go-go years, all of which went through tough times when the economy tanked. Too many tables, not enough diners.

windgrrl - 6-9-2013 at 05:19 PM

We enjoyed lunch on the patio just once three years ago. It was sublime. It was closed the following year and we checked to see if Damiana's was reopened on each trip into the city, but were always disappointed that it was closed. Thankfully, there are many courtyard restaurants to explore on the streets of SJD which has undergone a bit of revival recently.

shari - 6-9-2013 at 05:27 PM

ahh just the word Damiana makes me tingly! For a better margarita use a splash of damiana...and when there are ladies present instead of a shot of tequila to get the party rollin...offer them up a half and half tequila & damiana...you wont regret it!!!:saint:

Trueheart - 6-9-2013 at 05:53 PM

Damiana .... an expensive nice liqueur that is used by Cabo Wabo Cantina in "A" version of their upscale margaritas.

shari - 6-9-2013 at 09:20 PM

Damiana...a medicinal herb that grows wild in very few spots on the peninsula...makes a lovely tea and a kick butt liqueur!

also a cool B&B in Loreto:biggrin:

Bob H - 6-9-2013 at 09:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
Damiana...a medicinal herb that grows wild in very few spots on the peninsula...makes a lovely tea and a kick butt liqueur!

also a cool B&B in Loreto:biggrin:


Shari, we had our very first Damiana spiked margaritas at Guillermo's place in Bahia de Los Angeles!! They are very smooth, indeed.

BajaNomad - 6-9-2013 at 10:29 PM

Count us in as another couple with memorable experiences on the back patio at Damiana in SJDC. We too walked through the plaza in the past few months disappointed to see that it was now closed.

David K - 6-10-2013 at 07:35 AM

The bottle that Guaycura brand Damiana liqueur comes in is quite an eye catcher, too...:rolleyes:

Bob H - 6-10-2013 at 10:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
The bottle that Guaycura brand Damiana liqueur comes in is quite an eye catcher, too...:rolleyes:


Yes, indeed !

http://www.pocotequila.com/mextour/mex_licores/damiana_guayc...

Damiana

surfhat - 6-10-2013 at 12:12 PM

Oh this so reminds me of 30 plus years ago heading to the tip and stopping in the high desert east of Viscaino after driving all day and into the night. We pulled off and found some privacy for the night, had a small campfire going, ate a quick meal on a brilliant full moon night and proceeded to sip a bit on the beautifully bottled Guayacura. After a while the strangest thing became apparent. The full moon and lit up desert began to have a red tinge over everything, everywhere I looked. It was a hoot to say the least. There were no other items consumed and I could only blame it on the herbaceous liquor. It was a trip and I was not tripping folks. Only a long day of travel, a little food, campfire, and good company under the skies. All returned to normal upon waking up at dawn. Any others have a similar experience with this liquid herb? Although I rarely log on, I do peruse all the good people here daily and look forward to being able to come back down and catch up on all the places I passed by while chasing waves to the tip. Thanks everybody for providing me with vicarious visits through all of your generous contributions.

shari - 6-10-2013 at 02:12 PM

hey Surfhat...interesting trip report:lol:

Damiana has aphrodisiacal effects I can attest to!!!! wooo hoooo

David K - 6-10-2013 at 04:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
The bottle that Guaycura brand Damiana liqueur comes in is quite an eye catcher, too...:rolleyes:


Yes, indeed !

http://www.pocotequila.com/mextour/mex_licores/damiana_guayc...


From Bob's link:

===================================================

Guaycura Liqueur de Damiana is a light herbal based liqueur from Mexico. It is made from the wild herb damiana (Turnera diffusa) which is native to Mexico and Central America. Damiana is a small shrub with smooth, pale green oval leaves and aromatic yellow flowers. This herb is long thought to have aphrodisiac properties and according to ancient legend Guaycura Indians drank Damiana Liqueur in their centuries old ceremonies. Though sceptics may dismiss this as myth, there are respected botanists that say damiana "stimulates the genito-urinary tract and is actually used in the treatment of sexual problems such as impotence, frigidity, sterility, and sexual exhaustion." The glass bottle is shaped in the likeness of a pregnant woman and said to be modeled after the Incan God of Fertility.

This liqueur is commonly used in place of Triple Sec to make the "Baja Margarita," served in resort areas all over the Mexican peninsula. It is an essential ingredient in a "Waborita" made at Sammy Hagars' Cabo San Lucas nightclub, "Cabo Wabo." The 'Official Damiana Liqueur Web Site' has a recipies for a number of c-cktails as well as one for the "Damiana" or "Baja Margarita." Check out the site at: www.damiana.net
================================================

Come on over Bob for a sip! I also have Agavero!



[Edited on 6-10-2013 by David K]

Disappointment

Bajahowodd - 6-10-2013 at 04:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNomad
Count us in as another couple with memorable experiences on the back patio at Damiana in SJDC. We too walked through the plaza in the past few months disappointed to see that it was now closed.


Another thing that bothers me is that the re-invention of that plaza seems really cold to me. Sure, they got rid of the up and down sidewalks, but there just seems to be way too much hardscape, and not enough trees and greenery.

I did also happen to notice the demise of another restaurant nearby. It was called El Tulipan. It was opened by a Canadian couple in the late 90's. Gone.

surfhat - 6-10-2013 at 05:18 PM

Thanks Shari, your's are one of the places I am looking forward to stopping by when I am able to head down. I did know of the reputed effects of damiana and still have a couple of those beautiful sensual body bottles around. What I didn't know was that it would take me to the red planet that night. Maybe it was just the color of my own eyes after putting in a 15 hour day on the road. Thanks to all for taking me there every day when I can't go myself for real. Someday, someday in my dreams.

windgrrl - 6-10-2013 at 05:30 PM

I wonder if there has been a decline in the business that the cruise ships bus in to this part of SJD. We always stroll down a few streets around the plaza. There is so much to see, including the arts scene, a 1769 marker for the Transit of Venus and beat cops gliding by on Segways. What I don't see is many tourists wandering further than a block either way from the Tropicana and this is too bad, because things get interesting around the edges.

Bajahowodd - 6-11-2013 at 04:05 PM

The number of cruise ships that anchor in San Lucas bay has significantly declined owing to the cartel violence. Cruise ship operators need to fill their cabins. If folks are afraid of Mexico, they will not book cruises there.

In fact, if I am not mistaken, the cruise lines have all but eliminated calling on Mazatlan. The Mazatlan problem was less about the cartel violence and more about petty street crime that was over running the town.

In a certain sense, what was bad for Mazatlan is good for Cabo, because some lines that eliminated the stop in Mazatlan opted to overnight in Cabo.

That's a good thing, simply because historically, the LA seven day cruises used to spend the morning hours at Cabo before heading back to LA.

And you mentioned the Tropicana. Good for a different post. I remember when it first opened. Today's Trop is nothing like it used to be.

Leo - 6-12-2013 at 09:39 AM

Damiana sure was a nice restaurant. Actually the only place in SJD with a reasonable priced wine-list. The rear patio was the place to be and I have taken my wife and on many occaisions friends and family right there. Was looking for it in late March, but as everyone knows now, it closed down.

Vince - 6-12-2013 at 12:33 PM

We have great memories of SJC, fishing with Guillermo, staying on the beach at Castel del Cabo for $27.00 a night and dinner at Damianas (1985). Time to go back and make some new memories!