pacific restaurant

Cabo San Lucas is such a quick lil jaunt from Los Angeles, so it has been my husband’s and my getaway of choice whenever we can sneak away for a long weekend (like we did for our babymoon!). We have come to love the beautiful oasis that is Nobu Los Cabos, as it's far removed from the busy touristy area, and the perfect spot for those looking to totally chill, get pampered, and eat good food! Pacific Restaurant at Nobu Los Cabos is a fine dining Mexican concept, featuring lots of fresh seafood and local ingredients, along with traditional taco & mezcal pairings. So basically right up our alley… Fancy Mexican food is one of my husband’s all-time favorite cuisines (remember Cosme?), blending casual street food flavors he loves along with elevated techniques he was trained with. Pacific checks all the boxes, so it’s no surprise we’ve made reservations here every time we stay at Nobu Los Cabos. Not to mention the beautiful seaside views and sunsets you get to take in as you dine- so heavenly!

Now onto the food. We really haven’t had a bad dish here. Everything has been flavorful, well-executed, and truly memorable. From the light and fresh pacific style scallop aguachile with green apple, mango & spiced seeds, to the rich and hearty corn mini sopes with beef bone marrow, black beans & pork chorizo, the appetizers are always a hit. I loved my perfectly cooked branzino with green mole & pumpkin seeds, and both the bone-in short rib and baked peking duck leg were absolutely mouthwatering. My husband raved about our meals. And not to mention how picturesque is each dish?! Be sure to scroll through the slide show to get more details on our meals at Pacific- it’s definitely a feast for the eyes as well. I’m already looking forward to our next trip to Nobu Los Cabos, and you can bet that a meal (or two!) at Pacific Restaurant will be on our agenda!

surfrider malibu

If you are planning a trip to Malibu, I definitely recommend checking out The Surfrider Malibu. This boutique hotel is the epitome of chic, oozing with California surf culture, and is situation right on the coast with expansive sea views. As if that’s not reason enough to book your stay, their rooftop restaurant churns out some truly fresh and delicious local-inspired cuisine. The menus are Coastal-Californian with a focus on locally sourced, sustainable and organic produce, and strike a wonderful balance between farmland and sea. The drinks are not to be missed either, and include natural and organic vineyards and distilleries, Ayurvedic tea houses, local coffee roasteries, and a cocktail menu featuring local produce. The vibe here is as if you’re hanging out on the deck of your own Malibu beach house (if only we could all be so lucky), so relax and enjoy a long, leisurely lunch al fresco- no shoes required!

I’ve gotten the opportunity to dine here midday for a post-beach brunch, as well as for a nice dinner out with friends, and each time the food was thoroughly enjoyed, having us planning our return trip soon. I mean, seriously, how picture perfect are these dishes? The Gjusta bakery sourdough with burrata is never a bad way to start the meal, along with the fresh ceviche. I highly suggest ordering any of the fresh fish on the menu- in our case this was a wild caught, local catch of the day served in a balinese curry that was just to die for! And that flat iron steak (from local Santa Carota Ranch) was cooked perfectly and plated beautifully as well. My toddler and I were huge fans of the (gigantic) seasonal cobbler, which featured local blackberries, heirloom apples, coconut crisp & vanilla gelato, and was the perfect ending to our meal :) I’m getting hungry again just writing this, so looks like we need to plan a return trip soon!

sushi zo

If you’re in the mood for an epic dining experience featuring some of the freshest, tastiest sushi, look no further than Sushi Zo. The omakase multi-course tasting menu at Sushi Zo is designed to allow you to experience the essence of traditional sushi. That means the menu changes day to day depending on market availability, only the highest quality fish is served, and it’s all hand selected each morning by the chefs themselves. It’s not cheap, but good quality sushi shouldn’t be, so save it for a special occasion or celebration of sorts. But trust me, you’re in for a treat when dining here. Each dish is beautifully presented, and the flavors are so well balanced. If I could remember each of the (20+?!) plates, I’d give you a more detailed recap, but feel free to scroll through the slideshow to relive the experience a bit. From the sashimi to the sushi nigiri to the fresh roe to the hand rolls, it was all so delightful and flavorful. If you plan a meal at Sushi Zo, I hope you enjoy the experience as much as we did. It’s truly one we won’t forget. Just don’t forget the sake to pair along with your omakase!

ponta do garajau

I think one of the best parts about traveling is discovering little gems of restaurants all around the world. They don't have to be fancy, Michelin-starred spots either- maybe they're off the beaten path, and even better if they aren't your typical tourist trap! My advice: ask a local! My husband and I visited the Azores (specifically São Miguel Island) off the west coast of Portugal last fall, and after relaxing at the beautiful black sand beach of Ribeira Quente, we were on the hunt for some fresh, local grub.

Restaurante Ponta do Garajau came highly recommended to us, but we were warned that we may not be able to get in without a reservation on such short notice. We figured we'd test our luck, and showed up right when they opened, slightly sandy from the beach (and a bit worried we may be underdressed to be honest). Practically all the tables were reserved for reservations, but they were able to squeeze us in at a lovely communal table right in the middle of the outdoor dining space. Ponta do Garajau really fits in perfectly in the cute fisherman's village of Ribeira Quente, filled with rustic decor and an old-fashioned kitchen.

Let's be clear- you come to Ponta do Garajau for the seafood (it's literally just off the beach), and as soon as the food started arriving, we knew we were in the right place. I let my husband choose from the extensive menu (most of which was in Portuguese), and they even give you a "Consumer's Guide to Azorean Seafood" to help you navigate all the different fish available. We tried the octopus salad, smooth Azorean Limpet (clam-like sea snails that arrive sizzling in a grand display), Bluemouth Rockfish, and Black Scabbardfish, as well as ice cream for dessert, of course. Along with some homemade bread, cheese, olives, and wine, it was truly a memorable meal! Everything was fresh and delicious, and simply prepared in a way that allowed the seafood to shine. I cannot recommend Ponta do Garajau enough if you ever find yourself in the Azores!

tasca da esquina

My husband and I were only in Lisbon for a couple nights during our recent travels, so we wanted to make sure we got the opportunity to dine somewhere memorable and delicious. Tasca da Esquina came highly recommended from a good friend of mine, and Eater even considers it one of the 38 Essential Lisbon Restaurants! We were sold, and decided to make our way there for a late dinner after going to a local Champions League soccer match (husband's priorities). Portuguese tapas, aka Petiscos, are apparently trending at the moment, and Tasca da Esquina does them exceptionally well. We loved the vibe here- modern but casual, with super flavorful eats. Some of the dishes offered were a little different for me (pork feet with coriander!), and there were some unique flavor combinations (octopus, sweet potato & peppermint!), but we ordered a nice assortment and everything was truly impressive. Scroll through the slideshow for more details about each unique dish! We finished with some delicious, aged port- when in Portugal, after all!

six senses douro valley

My husband and I took a magical vacation this past fall to Portugal and Morocco. One of our first stops was the Douro Valley, the beautiful wine country in Portugal. I'd heard great things about Six Senses Douro Valley, and I bet you'll fall in love just by looking at their website. Unfortunately, we were booking a bit last minute, and the resort was fully booked during the time of our visit, so we ended up staying elsewhere. Lucky for me, though, I could still make reservations at The Vale de Abraão Restaurant, so my husband and I made plans for a beautiful fine-dining lunch out on the terrace. The restaurant serves classic regional dishes, but does so in a way that feels fresh and global by using seasonal, market-inspired fare. We were truly blown away by our meal, as each course was perfectly balanced with beautiful flavors. Not to mention completely picturesque! Naturally, being in Portugal, we sampled several aged port wines on our trip, and these were top of the line. Scroll through the slideshow to read details of our memorable meal- I can practically taste each dish again now! After lunch, we were able to spend the afternoon by the pool, enjoying the sun along with more local port. I highly recommend a visit to Six Senses Douro Valley, and now I'd love nothing more than to visit another one of their locations! Where to next???