Return from Paradise

Imagine spending a week without access to phone or internet. Does the idea make you nervous?

How about spending that time here?

NH and I just returned from vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and it's been one week since I've been online.

The Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Resort is perched on a steep cliff on the Pacific Ocean, and as such we had no cell phone reception. Wifi was available by the pools, but for some reason my laptop wouldn't connect. Hence, we were cut off from the outside world. What a blessing to enjoy the here and now in such a beautiful place.

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Pueblo Bonito is a small chain of luxury resorts in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. There are four locations in Cabo alone, with free shuttles all day to ferry you between them. We visited three of them and were very impressed by their accessibility and beauty. Every member of the staff was friendly and helpful; never have I been to a hotel where every person said hello and good morning to you.

Sunset Beach is huge, located on a hill by the Pacific Ocean. Most of our time was spent at two of the infinity pools with swim-up bars; despite many potential activities in the area we wanted to relax.

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Our second night we enjoyed dinner at one of Cabo's best restaurants: La Frida, conveniently located in our hotel.

This elegant restaurant serves traditional Mexican cuisine with Mediterranean influences. Murals of its namesake, Frida Kahlo, ornament the walls. The art deco Mexican decor is my new obsession.

This large art deco mirror kept my attention for quite a while as we sat.

I seem to get a kick out of taking my own picture in a mirror :-)

The beautiful candleholder on our table. Just amount of flash to catch the eye, but still understated for elegance.

We were fortunate to be serenaded by a wonderful pianist during the meal. He obliged us with a request: he played our first dance song, "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel.

We ordered a bottle of Argentinian Malbec, and the tableside carafe service was a first time experience for us.

The amuse bouche was my favorite of all time: a spoonful of chicken mole accompanied by a local dark beer. The rich flavors complimented each other well. The chicken was tender and juicy. It has been years since I've tried mole and this was NH's first.

Before our dinner arrived, we enjoyed some grapefruit granita as a palate cleanser.

My entree: Oven Roasted Sea Bass over rustic Hash Browns, with a Mushroom and Smoked Oyster ragu, with a basil salad.

NH: Braised Boneless Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes and Tempura Asparagus

Blue water glasses to go with our wine

La Frida's dessert menu was fairly spectacular, and I was excited to enjoy a rare and decadent treat. We shared two very complimentary selections:

My plate: Banana and White Chocolate Cream Pie with Peanut Butter Sauce

NH's plate: Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake with Mexican Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

After dessert we received one final treat: two very dark truffles which we ate before I remembered to take a picture.

Full and happy at the end of the meal, the conclusion of our first full day in Cabo San Lucas.

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