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jodiego
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| Quote: | Could you elaborate a bit on what's wrong with La Fonda? I've been there a few times and liked it. But I'm
just a "tourist" so don't really know what's good there.
Please explain. |
Please. I too would like to know what turns you off about La Fonda.
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woody with a view
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me too, every time WE'VE been there the surf was pumping and the drinks/food was flowing..........
[Edited on 9-17-2008 by woody in ob]
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jodiego
Please. I too would like to know what turns you off about La Fonda. |
For me, it's "who cares." If people here are looking for Baja History on a contemporary scale, they should look no farther than Dimitri who owned
and operated La Fonda for so many years. A gentleman of classic standards. If you didn't have the pleasure of meeting the man in his restaurant,
it's your loss.
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jodiego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by jodiego
Please. I too would like to know what turns you off about La Fonda. |
For me, it's "who cares." If people here are looking for Baja History on a contemporary scale, they should look no farther than Dimitri who owned
and operated La Fonda for so many years. A gentleman of classic standards. If you didn't have the pleasure of meeting the man in his restaurant,
it's your loss. |
OK, but Dmitri is gone. Granted the place has made a major overhaul, but my recent experiences have been nothing but good. Are there any specific
areas of the place that you dislike or is this just a Dmitri thing?
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jodiego
[OK, but Dmitri is gone. Granted the place has made a major overhaul, but my recent experiences have been nothing but good. Are there any specific
areas of the place that you dislike or is this just a Dmitri thing? |
I like la Fonda. I recommended it here.
Dmitri....Is that how his name is spelled? Thanks. I've heard he's still around. Didn't he have a ranch over in Guadalupe Valley?
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jodiego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
| Quote: | Originally posted by Sallysouth
Geoff, The restaurant you were referring to is called "The Palms" The food is good, as are the drinks and they do have live music.I'd go to La
Fonda if it were my choice tho. I have never had a bad meal there and the service is quite good now.Also as Crazy Cat said, muy romantico!!
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I live within walking distance of La Fonda and wouldn't go there even if you were buying. The Palm is OK but the prices are
outrageous. My recommendation is Bahia Cantiles. Food is good, resonable prices and good music.
If you want to go into Rosarito, (a local taxi is about 2 bucks) then my choice would either be Suzanna's or Chabert's. Pricey but excellent
food.
I hate even the suggestion but for one night only the combo of Miguel de Hoyos / Alex DePue at Jose's Palapa can be kinda
interesting...Unless you're a musician.
WARNING: Go back a second night and you'll hear the exactly the same tunes.
[Edited on 9-16-2008 by Dave] |
I'm still waiting for Dave to tell us what it is about La Fonda that he doesn't like. Yes, Dmitri had a ranch where he raised his own sheep, beef,
and pork. He sold the place and I don't know if he's still around. The place has certainly become much more "kitchy" (restaurant & room
upgrades, spa, no pets, more expensive), but I still enjoy visiting.
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jodiego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody in ob
me too, every time WE'VE been there the surf was pumping and the drinks/food was flowing..........
[Edited on 9-17-2008 by woody in ob] |
Hey Woody, is thata photo of La Fonda? Didn't know you could get a vehicle on the beach and I sure haven't ever seen tow surfers there. Might it be
a bit farther south?
[Edited on 9-17-2008 by jodiego]
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Gypsy Jan
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Why We Don’t Go to La Fonda Anymore
We have been customers of La Fonda for over twenty-five years, and for six years, after we moved to Baja as our main home, we were regulars at Sunday
brunch and it was our first choice for a place to take visitors for a meal and a view.
When Joe Dmytri sold the business to the Las Vegas group, everything changed, except the rooster and hen wandering the patios.
The Good:
1. The new owners dramatically upgraded the infrastructure; they replaced the antiquated, very old kitchen with a stainless steel refit with a fire
prevention system (I hope).
2. They greatly expanded the dining room and patio to take full advantage of the world class ocean views.
3. They remodeled/upgraded the accommodations (not that I know this first hand)
The Bad:
1. Their total indifference to the ideas/opinions/service to their local customer base (i.e., living in Baja year-round, the customers who can keep
you alive during the off season). If you want to know where many locals go now, it’s to Ruben’s Bar and Grill at Las Gaviotas. I can’t count how
many people have come up to me during Sunday brunch at Ruben's, saying, “I recognize you from seeing you at La Fonda; I stopped going there because
the food got so awful.”
2. The last few times we had dinner there (here’s how the conversation went, “Well, we liked it so much in the past, maybe things have improved.”
Well, our dinner was terrible and when we complained, the staff/management just shrugged.
3. Most important of all, is the terrible hygiene practices regarding the food handling standards for the buffet(s). They put out huge amounts of
food in giant pots and let it stand without replacement. As of the last time we were there, no sneeze guards protected the food. We have directly
witnessed people picking food out of the serving containers, tasting it and putting back into the pot. One local couple who are friends of ours went
back to brunch there a couple of months ago for the same reason we did, fond memories of the past, and they were sick for days afterward.
So, if you go, my recommendation is to go for a drink (alcoholic, it kills the germs) and a world class ocean view, especially at sunset.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
We have directly witnessed people picking food out of the serving containers, tasting it and putting back into the pot. |
Oh Gawd, I wish I hadn't read that. So much for La Fonda.
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woody with a view
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jodiego
| Quote: | Originally posted by woody in ob
me too, every time WE'VE been there the surf was pumping and the drinks/food was flowing..........
[Edited on 9-17-2008 by woody in ob] |
Hey Woody, is thata photo of La Fonda? Didn't know you could get a vehicle on the beach and I sure haven't ever seen tow surfers there. Might it be
a bit farther south?
[Edited on 9-17-2008 by jodiego] |
la mision, but in the neighborhood.
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fishbuck
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
We have directly witnessed people picking food out of the serving containers, tasting it and putting back into the pot. |
Oh Gawd, I wish I hadn't read that. So much for La Fonda. |
Hey, they didn't want to waste it. They saved it for you DENNIS
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by fishbuck
Hey, they didn't want to waste it. They saved it for you DENNIS
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Oh...Yeah. I didn't think of that. Those were some pretty nice folks, huh.
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jodiego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
We have been customers of La Fonda for over twenty-five years, and for six years, after we moved to Baja as our main home, we were regulars at Sunday
brunch and it was our first choice for a place to take visitors for a meal and a view.
When Joe Dmytri sold the business to the Las Vegas group, everything changed, except the rooster and hen wandering the patios.
The Good:
1. The new owners dramatically upgraded the infrastructure; they replaced the antiquated, very old kitchen with a stainless steel refit with a fire
prevention system (I hope).
2. They greatly expanded the dining room and patio to take full advantage of the world class ocean views.
3. They remodeled/upgraded the accommodations (not that I know this first hand)
The Bad:
1. Their total indifference to the ideas/opinions/service to their local customer base (i.e., living in Baja year-round, the customers who can keep
you alive during the off season). If you want to know where many locals go now, it’s to Ruben’s Bar and Grill at Las Gaviotas. I can’t count how
many people have come up to me during Sunday brunch at Ruben's, saying, “I recognize you from seeing you at La Fonda; I stopped going there because
the food got so awful.”
2. The last few times we had dinner there (here’s how the conversation went, “Well, we liked it so much in the past, maybe things have improved.”
Well, our dinner was terrible and when we complained, the staff/management just shrugged.
3. Most important of all, is the terrible hygiene practices regarding the food handling standards for the buffet(s). They put out huge amounts of
food in giant pots and let it stand without replacement. As of the last time we were there, no sneeze guards protected the food. We have directly
witnessed people picking food out of the serving containers, tasting it and putting back into the pot. One local couple who are friends of ours went
back to brunch there a couple of months ago for the same reason we did, fond memories of the past, and they were sick for days afterward.
So, if you go, my recommendation is to go for a drink (alcoholic, it kills the germs) and a world class ocean view, especially at sunset.
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YIKES!!! That's very useful information. Thank you.
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bajabass
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Location: La Paz,BCS
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With the decline of La Fonda it has become hard to get a fine dining experience in La Mision. My first date with my now wife was there, but followed
by several disappointments after. The Palms is good, but to pricey for the food. Cantilles is fair, but no view except for Virgins next door!! The Halfway house is good, but watch your car. The food at Cantina La Salina is
fair bar food, but you can't beat the beach access and very colorful,unique locals,. Friday Happy Hour brings a lot of the local scoundrels,including
myself, out to play. I know it is far, but El Olivio, next to UABC in Ensenada is great. View, food, ambiance, all excellent!!!
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Dave
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Same Ocean...Same view
| Quote: | Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
So, if you go, my recommendation is to go for a drink (alcoholic, it kills the germs) and a world class ocean view, especially at sunset.
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Next door at Poco Cielo. Drinks are cheaper, service is OK.
But don't eat there, either.
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Dave
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You're joking, right?
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabass
With the decline of La Fonda it has become hard to get a fine dining experience in La Mision. |
I never associate a salad of iceberg lettuce, beets and watered-down ranch dressing with fine dining. 
I went to la Fonda 'cause I liked and respected Joe. The food was always, at best, underwhelming.
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woody with a view
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the view from the balcony after a morning surf is worth the price of the machaca or huevos rancheros.......and the food isn't bad.
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bajabass
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Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
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The salad was poor, but the ribs and the quail USED to be great! Had a couple good fish dinners as well. Alas, NO MAS !!
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David K
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Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabass
With the decline of La Fonda it has become hard to get a fine dining experience in La Mision. |
I never associate a salad of iceberg lettuce, beets and watered-down ranch dressing with fine dining.
I went to la Fonda 'cause I liked and respected Joe. The food was always, at best, underwhelming. |
Dave, I would like to hear your answer to my qusetion to you, earlier in this thread... Thank you.
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Dave
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Dave, I would like to hear your answer to my qusetion to you, earlier in this thread... Thank you. |
I don't quite know how. Medio Camino is most always open, though. I'm at the bar frequently.
The few places I go I know what to order:
Pizza done extra crispy at Bobby's.
Fried chicken Thursday, sea bass Friday, and ribs Sunday at Bahia Cantiles.
Carne Asada at Jose's Palapa...but only if chef Lupe is there.
Albondigas soup at Magana's. Paolas has good Mexican food.
And on and on ....
Trick is to know what to order where...and when.
Problem is that there isn't one place that has consistantly good food. Most places don't.At least between Rosarito and Ensenada.
Great places in TJ and Ensenada, though.
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