This review is strictly for their wine tasting with Mina Penélope which is Malva's vineyard on the same property. I didn't realize you needed a reservation to come here but Nathan who owns this beautiful property with his vintner wife opened up their table for the best tasting we ever had! Each pour was delicious and we also got their charcuterie board which is not on the Malva menu but you can request. Nathan was very descriptive of their wine and praised his wife on creating so many of their wines. He made it clear that this is a woman owned vineyard and he just helps out. This made us chuckle because we all are married and would love for our husbands to praise us like he did! The vineyard is very resourceful and does clean practices for winemaking making it shine in their wines. I ended up going home with their Julio wine. I can't wait to try it at home and you can be sure we'll be back! read more

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Located right in the middle of a vineyard so your view while eating is just amazing. The dogs that guard the vineyard are fairly friendly. One in particular loved to ask for head scratches by resting his head on your leg waiting for you to pet him. We got there right when they opened so service was a bit slow but that's understandable because they were still preparing for the rest of the day. Presentation was on point and made for a very fun meal. The horse mackerel rosette while not in an actual rosette was very good. Nice touch of citrus. Sea urchin flan was very umami and very filling. Gyozas were more like dumplings because they did not have any crispness to the bottom and the gyoza wrappers tasted like they were dried out in a fridge. Filling was an ox tail filling and worked wonderfully. The ramen broth however was just a bit too salty. I think if they made it into an aspic and put a bit of it with the filling it would have made for a better flavor explosion. Catch of the day was ok. The skin of the fish was kinda soggy but overall flavor was good. I think the crispness of the fish skin added with the shaving of jicama would have made it more of a standout dish. For the Pig dish, they used a suckling pig. My only complaint with the dish is they should have dried the skin out some more and made it crispier. Who isn't a fan of crispy pork skins from a suckling pig. The presentation of the desserts was the most amazing. The pumpkin is pretty much a lavender milk cereal inside and some sort of jelly and granola topped with a salted caramel ice cream. The carrot cake. This is the most delicious carrot cake I have ever eaten and the presentation itself was very fun. The carrot itself is a carrot puree that was candied and filled with a cream to look like an actual carrot. read more

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Malva is owned by the same chef behind Valle in Oceanside, and we were eager to try it, and it did not disappoint. The food was incredible, and the view was absolutely breathtaking. It was such a peaceful evening, and we'll definitely be returning. read more

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After getting lost on our way in, we had a lovely time! Tip: Drive straight through the entrance to what looks like a ranch house at the end of the driveway. There is no signage. This is an all outdoor restaurant, set among a vineyard and gardens. We went at the end of September and it was quite chilly in the evening- bring a jacket. They do have throws if you forget. The food was phenomenal. The chef earned a Michelin star at his Oceanside restaurant, and the flavors and presentation at Malva reflect this. They have a three, six, or ten course menu, or a la carte. Ten courses includes everything on the menu. Six courses include chefs choice of two apps, two entrees and two desserts. Three courses1 you select an appetizer, an entree and a desert. Everything we had was rich and full of flavor. We were in the moment and didn't take a lot of photos, review is written a few days later. Highly recommend. read more

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We had a group dinner and the location is beautiful. The food was good , but the options were limited. Beef or fish with no appetizers, vegetables or fruit. Many inquired from the server what type of fish was being served and the answer was, I don't know. The desert was good lemon curd tart. The $75 per plate was a bit much for what was being served. The wine served during the meal was not the better wines available in the area. We probably will not return in the future. read more

We'd spent a long day already wine-tasting by the time we got here, so I wasn't super hungry. I was a little bit hesitant to sit down for a full meal but the staff were so kind and the view was incredible so we caught the sunset from here and had a chance to wander around the vineyard too. Some very cute cats and dogs also kept us company Back in the restaurant, the food was absolutely delicious. It was beautifully presented too. We were given octopus fritters to start and I really like the sourdough bread too. I'm not much of a seafood person but I went ahead and tried the oysters. I was blown away by the garlic butter sauce - it was everything! I didn't get a third course but a couple of the others on the table had some of the desserts that were also fabulous - the watermelon ice cream particularly stood out! read more

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A very good restaurant in the Valle. We took an extremely large party here and the staff executed on our 9 course tasting menu flawlessly. Every dish was prepared with care. There wasn't a course that we didn't enjoy - there was excellent variety in vegetables, seafood, and steak. Needless to say, we were very stuffed and content by the end of the meal. Add in the outdoor seating and gorgeous view, you have a memorable and relaxing dining experience. read more

Malva - Dessert - peach pie - Wine Bars Near Me - Ensenada, BCN

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The food and hospitality here are unmatched!! I came here for dinner as part of a girls wine trip and enjoyed a delicious multi course meal. Honestly every course was so good it's hard to pick a favorite. The gazpacho really stood out to me as well as the short ribs. The presentation of each course was unique, but it wasn't to distract from the quality of food (which sometimes is the case). Every item was fresh, flavorful, and delicious! I would definitely come back! read more

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One of my favorites at valle. The food is always great! The ambiance is perfect and not a big restaurant so they have great service. Good to go with kids also. Lots of space for them to run around. read more

Chef Roberto Alcocer is a native with impeccable talent. He truly brings out his culture with each of his dishes. His tasting menu was delicious. Every bite of each dish had my mouth watering. The fried eggplant that is marinated for over 24 hours, the chayote was tasted to perfection, and the short rib was to die for. I didn't know if I wanted to fall out of my seat or shed a tear with how incredible that short rib was. Definitely try out his wines as well. The restaurant is open and feels like your in a treehouse atop of the valley. I'm excited to see what Chef is going to do next with his new restaurant, Valle, opening up in Oceanside read more

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I love wine country in Baja. There are so many amazing places and you would never know it! I really enjoyed this place as you have the option to have a course meal or individual. We had a large party and decided on individual with a few appetizers. There wasn't a dish here I didn't enjoy. The service was impeccable! The only thing is that dining is outdoors and the heaters were out of gas, they did provide blankets, but the food got cold fairly quickly. read more

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Had one of the best dinner experiences in a while. Victor and Oliver were amazing. They were kind to guide us through their menu. We did the 4 course tasting. Started off with the amuse bouche, then we had our first course a yellowtail crudo avocado toast that was delicious, then I had the pork belly with mole that was phenomenal, for my main dish I had their braised short rib that was a beautiful presentation and tasty as well, to finish I had their amazing cake with marshmallow ice cream. And of course we finished with a goodbye from the chef with a pate dè fruit tart. They also produce some of the best wine in Valley! read more

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Very cute place. Loved the open and huge kitchen. We did the 9 course tasting for lunch on our way home after staying in the valley. The bread they gave us was AMAZING. Charred flavor that was addictive with a really unique and also addicting spread that I so wish I could find or make myself. The amuse bouche was a bit out-there for me. It was a liver pate peanut creation in a sweet and delicate shell. Not something I would care to eat again. The first course of thinly sliced squash with a tangy sauce and the lightest tortilla crisps ever was fantastic and super refreshing. Everything here was obviously super fresh. Next was a white fish tostada that was a little tricky to eat but also very fresh and delicious. The third course was house cured meat from the pig head, as I understood it. The texture was a little like tongue with resistance but also fatty and translucent. Wasn't a big fan. After was a soup with I believe they said carrot tops and carrot among other things. The flavor was subtle with what tasted like Indian spices to me. I enjoyed that a lot. Next was escolar/butterfish with a light salt crust and a black bean sauce. The texture of the fish was indeed buttery, and the amount of salt was perfect. One of my favorite courses we had. Next was a house made rabbit sausage, which had a slightly gamey flavor and was a little dry. Ok. Then was a duck breast that was nicely crisp and medium rare in the middle. Tasted surprisingly like a steak in the rare parts. Had a sweet reduction I think they said jamaica? and lots of beets. Beet puree and roasted beets, and possibly dried carrot top on top. Good. Dessert was a malva creme brulee which was very thick, more like a milk jello, with some sorbet on top and a lavendar blossom. It was strange but pretty good. Then a date and bacon tart with popcorn ice cream. The ice cream was delicious and the tart was very flavorful and interesting. I liked it. Then marshmallows in a jar with smoke. The bill was over $200, with two beers. I had been dying to try this place and was disappointed not to get to try the duck carnitas or lamb, which I kept hoping for until my hopes were dashed with the first dessert course. Of course the menu must change often, but I had still hoped. Also, the prices were higher than expected based on reviews. It is now 1500 pesos for the 9 course, 450 for 4 dessert sampling. The place is very cute but the position of the seating, our table in particular, exposed us to a ton of wind. It was freezing and the heat lamp was putting up a fight so they offered us blankets which we stupidly refused. Overall, it was quite an experience, but not one that we fully enjoyed. Several of the dishes were meh, for a $92 per person experience in Mexico. The verdict was that we enjoyed our experience at Laja more, and it was $30 less, though less artsy. read more

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The food is absolutely sublime. Four of us celebrated a birthday on June 30 and all of us we're gratefully surprised at the quality and sophisticated presentation of the food and the attentive service and hospitality of the staff. We've already made plans to return. read more

Malva was an amazing discovery, suggested by a local winemaker. Spectacularly delectable dishes paired with lovely local wine came to our table like waves of pure joy. Each so perfectly presented that they drew spontaneous ohhs and ahhs from our table. Not to mention the setting, tranquil and serene, overlooking the vineyards and valley. The best and most memorable of the trip by far. And we had many, Malva is a true standout! read more

You have to come out to Valle de Guadelupe to try this amazing restaurant. It is definitely a must come. The chefs here will provide you with an explosion of flavors with local and fresh ingredients. That is what we found here tonight. We opted for the tres tiempos/ three course which was not just great flavors but excellent portions. For starters we began with the beet salad. The salad had roasted beets, pickled beets and natural beets with fresh greens from their garden in their pesto sauce. Fresh and delicious. For the main course wife ordered the Rib Eye steak which came in a bed of mash potatoes and fresh veggies from garden. I ordered the duck carnitas that came in a bed of refried beans, not your ordinary beans, the duck was juicy and tasty and the beans where a nice compliment to the flavors of the duck. We paired the main course with local/house wine Julio 14, great tasting wine. For dessert we both had the apple tart with goat cheese ice cream, amazing again, their goat cheese from their goats, fresh and the flavors of the ice cream with the apple tart, WOW, explosion of flavors in your mouth. I almost forgot to mention their tasty toasted bread with house made pesto sauce. Once again I have to give thanks to Ann Katz from Vinophiliac for her recommendation to Malva and with assistance with the reservation. read more

Malva - Wine Bars Near Me - Ensenada, BCN

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What an amazing place! In the Valle, this is a must! We had an eight-course meal in a sunny, cool afternoon. The flavors of each dish was unique and definitely well thought out. The most amazing fish dish I've ever eaten in my life. They make their own wine on property and source local ingredients. Be prepared to have your socks blown clean off!! read more

After a full day of wine tasting (I think we hit up about 5 wineries around the area), we came here for dinner. Becky made reservations before hand because we had a group of 6 of us. At this point of our trip, we had eaten so much none of us were hungry, hungry. So at my end of the table I split 2 dishes with the guy next to me. At the other end, I think each ordered a main entree and shared it with everyone. It's like, you walk into the restaurant knowing it's going to be amazing, but your sad because your just not that hungry. When I'm hungry I enjoy the food 100 times more. We ordered: - duck carnitas (they served it with corn tortilla and we ate it taco style. It was amazingly delicious!) - ribeye cooked medium rare (topped with black beans, onions, and other yummy goodness) it was delicious as well, but we ate about 1/2 of it and passed it down the table because we couldn't eat anymore. - we were told the dessert here was amazing, there were 6 items on the dessert menu, so we ordered one of each. My top 3 favorite were the smore's one with chocolate, goat cheese ice cream, and a key lime pie tart. -also at the very end they give you a piece of homemade marshmallow. It was interesting. -their watermelon fresca was amazing! We tried to order a pitcher of it but they only served it in mason jars one at a time lol Again, this place was super cute with a nice decor. Not on my top 3 favorite spots in Valle de Guadalupe, but it was pretty dang good. read more

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Everything You want (and should) eat in Baja is at Malva- complete with good wine and impeccable service. Kicking it off- the service was fun and professional: our youngish server was incredibly knowledgeable on the food and made great pairing recommendations and really made us feel like he wanted the whole experience to be 100%. The food was incredible on every level- taste, presentation, creativity and stayed true to its roots and region. My dining partner and I chose the 3 course fixed menu (although I would have liked the 10 course tasting, but had eaten a huge late lunch). Starters were rabbit sausage in a bed of Milet (risotto) and mine was a shredded duck sopa. The rabbit sausage was a standout- juicy and spiced just right and the texture and creaminess of the milet was the perfect pairing to the dense rabbit. The duck sopa was delicious too. The mains were grilled yellowfin with corn purée + local grilled succulents and a seared duck breast on a purée of (some sort of tuber-yuca maybe?) with charred greens. The duck was out of this world- cooked perfectly- scored crispy skin with pink juicy meat on the inside. Absolutely hands down the best duck. The amazing surprise was the charred greens looked like garnish but were dried leaves/herbs and when mixed with a dab of purée made for a delicious soft crunch in your mouth and a mellow but robust flavor on the palate. Dessert was just as delicious and was authentic and you can tell the pastry chef knows what they are doing. The price was pretty reasonable- two 3-course meals + bottle of wine + tip was less than $100USD. And certainly hovered around Michelin Star quality. read more

Malva - Wine Bars Near Me - Ensenada, BCN

A haven for vegans! We had emailed the restaurant ahead of time and were so appreciative they were willing to make us a 4 or 8 course vegan menu. The food was lovely, and beautifully prepared. Would 100% come back! read more

The people are 5+ awesome, the location and restaurant decor are great as well. Our food was Ok, steak was burned and chewy and lacked flavor. If your looking for a combination of wine and food - drink first eat second. They did have a Tesla charger which rocked. read more

Excellent lunch on the deck under a tree. Beautiful views, excellent food and service and the winery has a fantastic Sauvignon blanc that we enjoyed with lunch. Highly recommend giving them a try! read more

Beautiful restaurant with attentive staff and delicious fresh food. Fit for foodies, vegetarians, vegans and carnivores alike. The chef and wait staff are welcoming, knowledgable & accommodating. We will be back! read more

Visited twice and each visit was stellar, food presentation was not only gorgeous the freshness and sazon was on pt. Very good service by staff with proper timing of each dish! Always my go to in Valle as a bay area foodie! read more

My wife and I heard about this restaurant from Friends who said that it is an absolute wonderful experience. We decided to treat ourselves to an anniversary meal and we were not disappointed! They have a special price fix meal which was about $45 each and was really special. This chef is now opening a new place at the Hyatt in Oceanside and it is called Valle. We will head there when we can to try that also. Our server Noah was very attentive and explained all the various dishes. read more

They were super accommodating of our food allergies and restrictions. Service was outstanding. The food was subtle, delicious...one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. The red wine ice cream...wow, wow, wow. Worth every penny, and we will be back. read more

We came by Mina Penelope to do a tasting and what an amazing experience! Hands down the best wine we tried in the Valle and the most wonderful tasting and food experience. The wine maker sat with us and took us on a journey through all of their lovely wines, history and plans for the future. We thoroughly enjoyed every wine, especially the Julio, so delicious on the palate! We did ordered a few items from the kitchen, the cheese plate was insanely delicious and outstanding and then we did two rounds of grilled and raw oysters, delightful! Also had an order of Brussel Sprouts, super yummy as well. The outdoor dining area was so inviting and comfortable, we could of lingered for hours. After our tasting and snacks the wine maker took us on a quick tour of where they make their wine, which was freaking awesome. If you have the opportunity to stop in for a tasting at Mina Penelope and eat at Malva, do it you won't be disappointed! read more

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We had quite an adventure to get to this foodie oasis - our driver was almost an hour late picking us up which made us almost an hour late to our reservation. When we arrived - they were closed but the gracious chefs and staff stayed to prepare a 9-course tasting menu that rivals any restaurant in any major cosmopolitan (I made sure to let them know we would understand if we were turned way; I was also sure to compensate them for their kindness). The restaurant itself is like a treehouse overlooking the wine valley and their garden which is featured throughout the various dishes. You are able to see the kitchen and at times we were shocked at the quality of food coming out of their very modest kitchen. The staff was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable taking the time to go over every dish and ingredient despite our late arrival. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a special night out of fine dining prepared by some of the most talented chefs in the region. read more

Exceptional. Great environment. The service was amazing and the ambiance was charming. Delicious food which feels like an expression of the chef instead of following the trend of the valley. We opted in for his wine and were not disappointed. Both the young Malbec and the Rose were excellent and should be included with some of the greats in the area. I usually skip dessert but opted in to try a couple and was not disappointed. If you are a true foodie who wants to try new combinations and isn't chasing another Steak or Potato than don't miss this culinary adventure. Malva is just fun. ;) read more

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This is truly an amazing restaurant and the service was on point. Our waiter took the time to explain to us the menu and the produce and animals that are grown on their farm and very attentive to explaining each dish that came out. We had 6 courses total: ensalada del huerto with mixed greens and pickled vegetables, tostada de jurel, croquetas de erizo. For the main course we had the duck in Oaxacan mole (my husband's favorite) and the rib eye. Overall, this elevated farm-to-table concept is 100% worth trying! We'll be coming back for more. read more

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Absolutely amazing food in a beautiful outdoor patio. We loved every dish and the wine pairing was on point!! Can't wait to go back!

This restaurant was amazing. I came here with my wife for lunch and we had the tasting menu. We loved it all. The wine was so good, that we even bought a bottle to take home. I highly recommend Malva if you're making a trip down to the Valle. The restaurant is beautiful, the experience will be amazing, and the food is incredible. read more

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Valle de Guadalupe. Chef Roberto Alcocer is an absolute LEGEND. I've had the opportunity to participate in the 5 course chef's tasting/pairing menu twice, and was blown away. Courses are paired with Mina Penelope Wines, as well as a few of the chef's own. The flavors are so compelling, and the chef's descriptions are as colorful as the plates. I have dreams of the Rosé ice cream desert!!! read more

Malva - Amazing cuisine at Malva! - Wine Bars Near Me - Ensenada, BCN

10 course tasting menu 3 stars Wine pairing 1 stars Hence my 2 stars review. 4 of the "wines" on the wine pairing was beer...if I had wanted beer, I would've gone to a pub. The other wines were ok, but was 1 oz pour, finished in one sip and given price of 1000 pesos addition for wine pairing, they could've pour more than one sip per glass. Tasting menu was just ok. Good portion size. Oysters were delicious. Fish was too salty. Lamb was dry. Desert was prob the best part. But for the price of 1100 pesos + 1000 for wine pairing, definitely overpriced given I paid half that at Deckmans the night before and came out full and happy. read more

We came for dinner one night here. Do know that their dining area is completely outside and while it is covered and they have heat lamps, you are very much subject to the elements! We came here on a rainy night and came to regret it. The food was okay but definitely small portions. They seem to be trying to be very high end and their prices reflected that. Service was good but the place was also empty. Overall I think that the value wasn't there for me. I'd probably go to one of the high end options or taco carts. It's not their fault it was raining but being freezing definitely impacted my experience as well. read more

10 course dinner for Thanksgiving and a wonderful bottle of wine created by the chef. Very fresh ingredients, creatively utilized for a lovely array of tastes from the region. Nice outdoor seating, a little cold at night, but they provided a heater and blankets, making the evening perfect. Excellent service and presentations. read more

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Malva is a secret gem in this lovely area. It's location is hidden in the vineyard and once you approach its entrance it reveals its beauty and elegance. The food was exquisite and just up my ally with fresh home grown vegetables over simple yet creative dishes. I am a fan of pickled veggies and if you are, too then you'll love it here. The kids and I ordered salmon and cleaned up their plates! The parents shared the steak and my husband and I shared two veggie dishes. Our entire experience was perfect. Nothing was overdone and everything we ordered was nicely presented and perfectly seasoned. The salmon wasn't too over spiced and cooked well with a soft, melting texture. The veggies were prepared fresh with a little bit of salt and hardly any heavy spices. If you like fresh, well cooked meals, this place is for you. The wine was incredible. We ordered a sparkling Chardonnay which was to die for. I have never had a wine like that in my life and was pleasantly surprised when we received our drinks. I 100% recommend this amazing gem. It's truly a gift to Valle de Guadalupe. I will definitely come back here. read more

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I would come here again and again. We found this place on a whim and I am so glad we did. The testing menu has lots of bajamed modernist twists. Our vegetables were, of course, farm to table. The cheese foam worked it's way into two of our dishes with excellent result. I don't want to spoil the dessert but I promise you that it will cause your senses to try to unravel the complexity of flavor and technique that drive the finishing touch of a truly unique and authentic baja California culinary experience. read more

Excellent food all around, chef takes a lot pride in the freshness of food he serves his guest. Can't wait to come back to valle de Guadalupe to try the rest of the menu. Sauvignon Blanc is a must try.... So is the rabbit tostada if they still have it.. read more

I cannot wait to get back to Baja to go back here. This place is amazing. We found it through another site, and I am so glad I trusted my gut. We came by cruise ship to Ensenada and really wanted to try something than the normal there. We were able to Uber to this place (about $9 each way by uber). My first driver I had to call the restaurant and have them give him directions, but its really easy to find. We had 1pm reservations (we made through their facebook page) but got there at 12:30, since we had called about 20 minutes prior they were ready for us. Our server greeted us, and let us have our pick of tables. The view is outstanding. It is chilly, so dress in layers, but having a coat is worth it, our server let us know that the weather in the valley in unpredictable and will change constantly. We got a great introduction to the restaurant and the winery (it shares its space with Mina Penelope Winery). They have a focus on local, sustainable foods that they can forage in the Baja area. He suggested as first timers trying the 7 course menu and we ordered a bottle of wine from the house winery (the Cabernet-Merlot). We started with house made rosemary bread with a pesto dip that was nice. The bread was fresh baked and still warm. Our amuse from the kitchen was a wonton chip with fresh octopus, radish, beet crema, cilantro blossom and serrano chili. This was an awesome bite and introduction to what we were about to experience. The flavors blended well and you could taste each individually. I was impressed at how nice the octopus was as I generally find it very rubbery. Our first course was a yellow tail ceviche, tossed a malva emulsion (malva is a plant and restaurant name sake). There was a corn crust on the plate and it was served with chips made from the house bread and it was very nice. The fish was very fresh, it blended well with the malva, and paired perfectly with the wine. Next course was a duck carnitas sope, and I could eat this all day. It had a cilantro crema and serrano sauce on the plate. The sope was tender and pillowy and the duck was out of this world awesome! By far my favorite dish of the day. Then we had a garden salad with fresh foraged vegetables and a carrot puree. We actually watched them pick the salad greens. The plate had a roasted carrot and asparagus as well as a beet, and it all worked together. It was so nice and delicate. This was followed by the soup of the day which was a parsnip soup. This was warm and comforting, and yummy. It had goat cheese and a corn ball in the bowl, decorated with greens and the soup was poured table side. Great presentation. This was followed by the first of two main entrees, the first was a yellow tail that was perfectly cooked with the most awesome crispy skin. it had a sauce on it that was so flavorful but i actually cannot identify what it was. Beneath the fish were 6 of the most yummy gnocchi that almost overshadowed the fish. The dish also had greens on top that went well with it. The final entree was their signature lamb dish. This is roasted in the outdoor over for 18 hours, then shredded, then reformed into a cube, then seared on a pan to give the edges a crispy touch. Tableside they poured a lamb jus on it that was yummy. It was served with salted swiss chard and a pinto bean puree. This dish really showcased their talent. Our final dish was a tangerine panna cotta that was light and delicate and a perfect finish to an amazing meal. We had french press coffee made with delicious shade grown beans. We paid and then sent us off with homemade marshmallows as a finish. Overall this place would be a 2-star Michelin restaurant if it was in Napa. The service was spectacular and the food was perfect. I was shocked when I saw the bill as lunch for the 2 of us, with a bottle of wine, and we asked to add a 30% tip was only $119!!! I was expecting at least over $300 easily and would have felt good with that. If you are in Ensenada, this place is worth the side trip for lunch or dinner. I cannot wait to go back. read more

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