Caccio Hipodromo is the new sister restaurant of the original Caccio Restaurant, located in the Colonia Cacho neighborhood of Tijuana. While the Colonia Cacho is very trendy, with a happy mix of retail, restaurants, apartments and single family residences, the Hipodromo neighborhood is Tijuana's "Upper East Side", with roads lined with flamboyant mansions, many of which are gated and sequestered on private roads with lyrical names like "Tula", "Techuacan", "Mina", "Tepic" and "La Paz".
Although open for only about six weeks, Caccio Hipodromo is already Ground Zero for Tijuana's gentry. You will note much table-hopping and air-kissing among the guests, since everyone seems to know everybody, like one big house party on steroids.
The blue-jacketed valet posted out front under the scalloped umbrella will take your car. Walk up a couple of steps [the restaurant is located on a hill] to the large glass entrance doors. There is a definite Mid-Century vibe to the décor that is clean-lined and pleasing. Vast windows look out upon Tapachula Street as it inclines up the hill to the houses of many of those happy people in the dining room.
The lighting at Caccio Hipodromo is dramatic, with multiple pendant lights dropping over large round tables, and elsewhere recessed lights in the ceiling creating a magical starlight effect. A long row of "Mother-in-Law Tongue" plants backs up a banquette like a sturdy line of toy soldiers.
The menu is identical to that at the original Cacho, consisting mostly of salads, pizzas and rotisserie chickens. In addition, some new dishes have been added to both restaurants. Yesterday, I enjoyed a half dozen Kumiai Oysters with served with a Sauce Mignonette and lemon before the famous Rotisserie Chicken with roasted potatoes and asparagus. The complimentary grilled bread with butter is addictive, and the crusty and thin pizzas are prepared in the same Neapolitan ovens as in the best pizzerias in San Diego.
As is expected in Mexico, the service at Caccio Hipodromo is kind, efficient and ever-present. Special mention should be given to my server, Jose-Maria, who decanted the Santos Brujas wine with expertise before serving the wine in the special large wine glasses that the restaurant stores behind the bar. read more