Author Archives: Kristin

About Kristin

We are Antonio and Kristin. We are a couple in our 20's who are fueled by our passion for all things related to food, art, travel, and our rich heritages. We started this blog as an outlet to showcase our lives and adventures as we know them on both sides of the San Diego border. Kristin grew up in Orange County, and Antonio grew up in between San Diego and Tijuana. After we met in 2006, we knew that it was meant to be. Her education background is in Interior design, while his in Graphic design. We got married in the summer of 2010, and welcomed our first son Giovanni into this world later on that year. Follow us as we explore and discover both of our cultures through the cuisine, people, and places surrounding them.

Encuentro Guadalupe

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We have been day dreaming about the eco-lofts and expansive views of Valle de Guadalupe since our last visit to Hotel Endemico. This time around we got to witness the growth, and truly learn and experience about what really makes up this magical place.





We sat down surrounded by stainless steel fermentation tanks, with little pops of the outside views peeking through. Architect Luis Pereira explained the idea behind what is now Encuentro Guadalupe, and how it came about. Encuentro Guadalupe was built around the beautiful nature and structures that were previously there. We really got to witness this, when we were brought down to their wine cellar. There are three giant boulder-like rocks, perfectly lined up. These were there before they began construction, and were left untouched during the progress.

The three factors behind the design of Encuentro Guadalupe comes from nature, art, and trade. The nature part speaks for itself. When you stay at these eco-lofts, you are out in the middle of nature. You will be walking on dirt and rocks, to get to the pool, and you will hear and see different animals during your stay. This is the beauty of it. This can also be defined as ‘glamping’. You have modern ammenities, all the while taking in the natural scenery, and elements of Valle de Guadalupe.

The art comes in with the overall architecture. Endemico Resguardo Silvestre includes the 20 eco-lofts designed by Graciastudio, and operated by Grupo Habita, as well as their winery, restaurant Origen, and the residential Eco-Villa. The minimal and sleek design is just brilliant, and still has me ooh and ahh each time I see it.

The trade factor comes into part, with the art exhibitions, and seasonal farmers markets that are held at Encuentro. Over 20 amazing pieces by artist Xawery Wolski, will be shown throughout this year beginning this month. Local artisans and producers sell and offer samples of olive oil, a variety of jams, salsas, and other handmade goods. You can also find some of these products for sale in their Lobby/Bar area.


Hugo D’ Acosta leads the winery, that includes 11 acres of vineyards. We were introduced to their 2012 Flora- Sauvignon Blanc, and their 2011 Fauna- A blend of five grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Nebiolo, and Merlot. The wine tasting bar is open to the public, groups can also schedule an appointment to view the underground cellar.




During a stay at Hotel Endemico, each of the eco-lofts include a mini wine fridge filled with 2 bottles each of their red and white wines. Noshing on local olives, while sipping a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon on your private balcony area, just taking in the fresh air and surrounding greenery, really is something else.



The property’s restaurant Origen is open, and serving up plates varying from salads with lettuce picked right from the garden, to locally caught fish, and a few desserts to choose from.



With the warmer temperatures coming into play, you absolutely can not avoid paying a visit to the infinity pool. Cool off with an ice cold local craft beer, or a glass of crisp white wine. The bar at the pool also offers breakfast in the morning, as well as some smaller plates to enjoy throughout the day. I could go for an order of their guacamole and totopos as we speak.


I mean can you really resist ending your day out on your private balcony area, with a glass of wine in hand, fire lit, and a canopy of the star lit sky up above you? I know that we weren’t able to.

Encuentro Guadalupe
Km. 75 Carretera Tecate-Ensenada 22750
Ensenada, Baja California
+52 646 155 2775

Burritos D’Sonora

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Let’s talk a little bit about one of my guilty pleasures, that I can never seem to turn down. Meet the fresh flour tortilla. I mean, how can you resist a warm flour tortilla right off of the heat? I’m not talking about just any store bought flour tortillas. I’m talking about the real deal here folks.

We pulled up to D’Sonora stomachs rumbling, and lured in by the smell of the big bowls of flour tortilla dough proofing, just about to be made into tortillas for the busy lunch rush. The Trujillo family, which owns this little spot hails from Granados, Sonora. We showed up just before noon, and Enrique told us that all of the dough sitting on the counter would soon become tortillas for both guisado filled burritos, as well as being sold by the dozen during their busiest time of the day.

We pulled up a stool at the window, and ordered away. They offer a variety of guisados each day, which a couple of them had already been sold out by mid day. We couldn’t help but order a few different ones to try. We went with the, Carne con Chile Colorado, Frijoles Puercos, Deshebrada con Papa and Rajas con Queso. You may be thinking, wow 4 burritos, but that is the beauty of these traditional burritos. A flour tortilla is filled with one guisado, and you are good to go. My favorites were the burritos filled with Deshebrada con Papa, and the Frijoles Puercos.

I am pretty sure that I turned my head for just one second, and poof!… a Cajeta filled Coyota was sitting in front of me. The flaky cookie and the sweet cajeta together as one, my oh my! I had to tell Antonio to get in on some bites before Giovanni and I polished it off for ourselves.

D’Sonora also sells their own bags of dried machaca, of course fresh flour tortillas, as well as homemade salsas. We came home with a bottle of their Chile de Arbol salsa, which barely lasted through the week. Needless to say we will be back for more of that, and I am dying to try their Cafe de la Olla.
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Tijuana Makes Me Hungry – Saturday, April 20th

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Antonio and I will be at the San Diego Public Market representing Club Tengo Hambre on Saturday April 20th from 6-10pm. Have a taste of Tijuana restaurants, while dining for a cause in support of “Just Call Us Volunteers”. Stop by, say hello, and find out about our upcomimg Baja experiences.

Ticket info: http://bit.ly/151Xduw
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Foodgarden

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Foodgarden Tijuana
Foodgarden Tijuana
Foodgarden Tijuana

The Foodgarden in Tijuana, came to life after finding inspiration for the space from worldly travels. Ricardo Nevarez told us that he wanted a place where culinary artisans can all come together under one roof, to showcase their passions and talent through their food. At foodgarden you will find the formerly known as Takesos and Papas, now named La Taqueseria, the ever expanding Tacos Kokopelli, Etxeverri Tapas y Pintxos, Los Chilaquiles, and Creperie La Luna. La Barra will also be stocked with local craft beers, to enjoy along side your plates of choice.

This outdoor gastro venue is bright and inviting, with some really neat attention to detail. I love that the glass windows facing the street have sayings such as “Keep Tijuana Tasty” on them. The carved wood and concrete designs, with added pops of color throughout the space, are just lovely. Oh, and I can’t forget the gorgeous tiles that you can’t miss, as you step up to place your order.

The upcoming Spring and Summer seasons will bring the ideal setting to Foodgarden. Nothing beats being able to enjoy some outstanding food with an icy cold beer, and the added bonus of beautiful weather.

Foodgarden Tijuana
Foodgarden Tijuana

We decided to try all four of the Pintxos that are on the menu at Exteverri. Thin slices of crusty bread are topped with Jamon Serrano, Pancetta, Portobello Mushrooms, and Salmon. These would be great to order with a group, there is an array of different flavors, that is sure to please everyone’s palate.
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Valle de Guadalupe: Alximia, Hacienda La Lomita, Las Nubes and Barón Balché

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I am sure that we all have that one place where we can go to escape, clear our heads, and even feel inspired. It’s that one place, that while we can’t be there, we day dream about it in our minds. Well, as you might have figured out by now, for me that is El Valle de Guadalupe. Every time we head down there, we experience more sprawling areas of vineyard  beauty, different wines, and more cuisine options.

There is a quote that I absolutely love in the Ralph Amey’s Wines of Baja California book: “To enjoy a delicious wine is truly a pleasure, but to experience it along with the beauty of the land in which the grapes were nurtured and where the wine was created then becomes a revelation.”

I couldn’t have said it better, it truly is something else..

This time around we had the chance to visit Alximia, Hacienda La Lomita, Las Nubes, and Barón Balché. The weather was just beautiful last weekend, and got me so excited for the nearly approaching Spring and Summer season.

Alximia has been in El Valle de Guadalupe since 2006, but has only been open to the public for just about a year. The Eco- friendly, space ship-like building is still under construction, and expected to be completed by June-July this year. The main structure was built keeping in mind, that they want to maximize the use of all of the natural rescources that they can.

The building is designed to catch rain water, to keep the vines watered even during the hottest times of the year. The openings of the building are strategically placed so that the winds are able to circulate throughout the building, keeping it cool and at an ideal temperature for the wines. It really is a unique structure, and is sure to catch the eyes of visitors.






The exterior color of the main building at Hacienda La Lomita is just gorgeous. Not to mention stepping out to the iron railing with your glass of wine, and being able to just breathe in all of nature’s beauty. The tasting room did fill up quite quickly, so it was nice to step out and discover a little on our own. They offer a tour of the property as well, for those of you who are interested.
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El Compita

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My girl friend and I were talking the other day, and she had asked if I had ever had a Pambazo. She is from Mexico City, where these Guajillo sauce dipped sandwiches are an iconic street food. Until now, the only sauce covered sandwich I had experienced, was a Torta Ahogada. Within minutes, she was sending me an address of a little eatery in Logan Heights, known as Tacos El Compita. The owners of the shop hail from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, and established Tacos El Compita in 2009. It all began as a small taco stand on Imperial, and shortly thereafter moved to its current location.

With Pambazos, and other menu items on our mind (from further research of course, we had to get there for a weeknight dinner. As soon as we pulled up to the restaurant, a white board with what seems like hundreds of options was displayed, as well as the words on the building: Borrego, Birria, and Menudo. Hello, where have you been all my life?


We tucked into the covered dining area, to get out of the rain, and take a closer look at the menu. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and while the Chilaquiles were screaming my name, I had to focus and remember why we were here. We went ahead and ordered our Pambazo, as well as tacos dorados en consomé, Huaraches, and Picaditas. We could not help ourselves, with those options on the menu as well. All of the tortillas are made by hand, and yes, the food does take a bit once you have ordered. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that though, you know that the food is fresh and being prepared to order.
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