Dining & Culinary Enjoyments

SIGNATURE BAJA-MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE

Baja-Mediterranean Cuisine: At the resort’s beautiful dining room, simply named “The Restaurant,” Las Ventanas introduced a new cuisine to the world, Baja-Mediterranean. It blends the best of Baja with the internationally loved and acclaimed culinary style of the Mediterranean. Baja is known for its spectacular abundance, a virtually unrivaled and diverse harvest from the sea as well as a wealth from the fields and gardens of the peninsula – giving Las Ventanas a rich basket of culinary building blocks to inspire creativity and blend with the traditional light and healthy cooking techniques of the Mediterranean.

“The quality of the ingredients has always been the key to preparing the best Mediterranean dishes, and we have applied this fundamental concept to our Baja-Mediterranean cuisine,” explained Executive Chef Fabrice Guisset. The resort conducted extensive research to discover sources for the finest and freshest foods available in Baja. Superior-quality fruits and vegetables are being procured from a handful of innovative organic farms that grow both typical varieties of the region and exotic ones from far away lands. Seafood comes from master fisherman who angle the deepest, richest waters where the best fish are found. Baja and the Mediterranean are the ideal combination to create exquisite, mouth-watering dishes blending the freshest, most succulent Baja products with the heavenly flavors of the Mediterranean.

At The Restaurant every table features a fabulous view of the sun-soaked pool area and glistening Sea of Cortez. Engaging Mexican-Mediterranean inspired decor features a meandering, hand-painted mural that captures the essence of the local area. The tables are set with the finest, hand-painted Mexican crockery for breakfast and lunch, and for dinner with renowned Bernardaud crockery from Limoge, France. Guests may opt for covered outdoor seating or indoor dining in a climate-controlled ambiance.

COCINA DEL FUEGO AND TRADITIONAL FOODS AT THE SEA GRILL

Cocina del Fuego: The Sea Grill serves the ultimate grilled foods –“Cocina del Fuego.” All dishes are cooked on wood-burning grills and in a wood-burning, brick-and-clay oven. Two types of local woods are used: mesquite for meats because of its stronger flavors, and mauto, which is milder, for seafood. The cuisine is very simple, based on the flavors imbued by the woods, fine olive oils and fresh herbs from the resort’s herb garden; the waiters come to the table with herbs and scissors, cutting the freshest possible herbs right on the food. Each piece of meat or seafood is branded on the grill with the Las Ventanas logo, for a dramatic presentation when brought to the table. Guests savor everything from Ensenada Mussels, Free-Range Rock Cornish Hens, veal chops and lobster tail on the grill to a pizza of the day in the wood-burning oven.

Guaycura Dinner: Every Thursday evening, the Sea Grill serves a Mexican barbecue dinner – with a spectacular traditional music and dance show – called a Guaycura. The simple but very flavorful menu recalls a culinary tradition of years ago when Mexicans mostly barbecued their foods. The dinner is a sampler of time-honored dishes served in five courses, each with a variety of items. The menu ranges from “Al Pastor” taco and red snapper “al Ajillo” to “Pibil” chicken in a banana leaf. After dinner, the evening is ignited with a two-part show of dazzling pre-Hispanic Fire Dancers and Mariachis playing favorite Mexican songs.

Taquiza Menu: Bite into the true taco flavors of Mexico every Tuesday at the Sea Grill. Mexico’s time-honored taco recipes come to life with traditional preparations, combinations and ingredients such as sizzling meats carved from a spit called a “trompo.”

Molcajete Menu: The molcajete, Mexico’s ancient stone version of the mortar and pestle used to prepare ingredients for traditional dishes, is celebrated for creating intense and exquisite flavors. The unique Mexican culinary sensations on the Molcajete Menu, served Mondays in an actual molcajete at the Sea Grill, feature meats, seafood, garden vegetables, traditional Mexican sauces and more. At the Sea Grill, guests have a choice of dining at comfortable waterfront tables under spreading market umbrellas or sitting at in-water tables and stools at the swim-up bar. The menu is also offered to guests who are relaxing in lounge chairs around the adjacent swimming pools.

CEVICHE, SUSHI & TEQUILA BAR PLUS TEQUILA LESSONS
Las Ventanas introduced a new concept to the resort world – a Ceviche & Tequila Bar. It was the first time a restaurant featured a menu of only tequila and ceviche. But it was more than just an original pairing: The Ceviche & Tequila Bar boasts the largest array of seafood used to prepare ceviche in Mexico as well as the country’s most innovative ceviches, while the tequila menu is the most exclusive in Mexico, including the world’s most costly tequila. The ceviche menu is changed daily reflecting the freshest and best seafood available, as well as to create new combinations and innovations in ceviche. The nearly 50 tequila varieties are all 100% Agave Tequilas, Mexico's best which are certified by the government to exacting standards.

Recently, Las Ventanas added a new dimension to the concept and reintroduced the bar as the, Ceviche, Sushi & Tequila Bar. “We put our own special touches on sushi by fusing Japanese and Mexican culinary traditions and flavors,” said Executive Chef Fabrice Guisset. “All of the items on our sushi menu are unique and original creations that are absolutely delicious.” The Mexican Roll is filled with lobster and an array of Mexican ingredients – grilled corn, avocado, cured onion and panela cheese – and wrapped in Hierba Santa (a Mexican herb named “holy leaf” with a licorice-like flavor) rather than seaweed. Parrot Fish Sushi combines green apple, fresh mint, habanero chile and marinated onion. Sashimi items, including tuna, sea bass, shrimp and salmon, are dressed with mixtures of Japanese and Mexican ingredients, from chipotle, avocado and cilantro to ginger, soy and ponzu. The menu is paired with Las Ventanas’ unequaled selection of the finest, 100-percent agave tequilas in Mexico, but sake and Japanese beers are also available.

Tequila Lessons: Guests can learn about the history of tequila, the distillation process, the different types, and the appropriate way to drink it by taking a Tequila Lesson. The legendary liquor is enjoying a renaissance among many trendsetters worldwide, and at Las Ventanas it is now a preferred libation of guests. The resort’s Tequileros conduct the lessons for several guests up to a maximum of 10. “Graduates” receive an official diploma.

LA CAVA WINE ROOM FEATURING “TASTE OF BAJA” DINNERS
For guests seeking a truly unique and exclusive environment for private gatherings, Las Ventanas’ beautiful 3,500-bottle wine room, La Cava, features a weekly “Taste of Baja” degustation dinner or is available for private events by special arrangement. Guests dine in a magnificently decorated room surrounded by hundreds of bottles of the finest wines, the table is set with elegant Laguiole place settings with hand-crafted wooden handles from the Aubrac region of France.

The gourmet “Taste of Baja” dinners are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings for up to 14 guests. The five-course tasting menu showcases the unique flavors of the Baja Peninsula. The menu changes weekly, depending on available seafood and produce. Each course is paired with mostly Baja wines but also Mexican mainland and international wines. For a personal dining events, the Chef works closely with guests to plan an individualized menu and evening tailored to their preferences.

PRIVATE, ROMANTIC DINNERS
Las Ventanas arranges uniquely romantic, candlelit dinners on the beach for couples, illuminated by a flickering fire in the pit on the sand. Or the romantic dinner can be on The Plaza, the terrace on the resort’s highest point with spectacular views, or on the patio or terrace of your suite. The dinners are private and intimate, and individually customized to meet the couple’s needs and desires, from the menu to the brand of champagne to the music being played. These special romantic interlude must be reserved in advance.

SUITE SERVICE
Spacious and inviting, airy and elegant, the suites at Las Ventanas are unlike any others. For guests who like to linger in the luxury of their beautifully appointed accommodations, suite service is available 24 hours a day. Enjoy breakfast in bed, a romantic dinner for two served on your private terrace, or a special dining event created just for the guest.

COOKING CLASSES IN THE HERB GARDEN
Guests can learn the secrets of Las Ventanas’ award-winning cuisine with the Saturday morning cooking classes conducted by the resort’s chefs. The one-hour classes are held in the open-air demonstration kitchen located in the beautiful and fragrant herb garden.