| Ever had the feeling that you've been somewhere | | | | tuna & scallop carpaccio flavored with walnut oil and |
| before? Well, even if you've never been to the | | | | lime, served atop lamb's lettuce and topped with |
| French Riviera Restaurant in Los Cabos, the | | | | shaved Parmesan cheese; or roasted heirloom |
| experience will leave you with a new kind of | | | | tomatoes served with a comfit of eggplant, zucchini |
| déjà vu, one that makes you wish you had | | | | and crab with cheese sauce. These are just a few |
| been there before. The owners and staff make you | | | | selections from the menu, making a choice is not |
| feel as if you are long lost friends or family who have | | | | easy as they are all excellent. |
| finally come home and the food, service and | | | | For your entrée Chef Chretien has created a |
| congeniality will create a lasting impression. | | | | plethora of unique dishes from which to choose. |
| Los Cabos has no shortage of excellent restaurants. | | | | Items include; braised red snapper served with |
| Whatever your appetite, you'll have little trouble | | | | potato-mushroom gnocchi in a basil reduction; gilded |
| finding food that pleases the palate. Traditional | | | | frog's legs served with "Purée d'Andouillette " |
| Mexican, authentic Italian, the freshest seafood, sushi, | | | | drizzled with a foamed garlic, and parsley butter |
| fondue and fusion, they're all here. The cuisine that | | | | sauce; roasted Sonora beef tenderloin served with |
| has garnered the least attention has been French, | | | | homemade fettuccine and a vanilla-ginger portabella |
| the king of haute cuisine. Not anymore. Nestled on | | | | mushroom sauce; herb crusted loin of lamb served |
| the cliffs above the Sea of Cortez, just a few | | | | with organic French green beans and black truffle jus; |
| minutes away from the hustle and bustle of | | | | roasted free-range chicken breast stuffed with |
| downtown Cabo San Lucas, is an elegant yet | | | | eggplant and vegetables with pan reduced au jus; or |
| unpretentious jewel in the crown of Cabo culinary | | | | roasted lobster raviolis with shitake mushrooms |
| delights. | | | | bathed in a garlic-basil emulsion, just to name a few. |
| That jewel is the French Riviera Restaurant and | | | | Each dish is prepared in full view of the restaurant |
| Bakery. A destined to be famous trio of eateries | | | | thanks to the open kitchen designed by Chef |
| with locations in San Jose del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas | | | | Chretien. Watching the kitchen staff is a real treat. |
| and along the tourist corridor in between the two | | | | Co-owner and Chef Eric Scianamanico is the perfect |
| municipalities. Until recently, those seeking true | | | | partner in the kitchen with Chretien and the rest of |
| gourmet French dining had a very small selection | | | | the staff. A constant buzz of activity takes place in |
| from which to choose. Most offered French fare as | | | | the kitchen and one walks away hoping to have |
| part of a mélange of vastly unrelated cuisine | | | | learned techniques to use in their own kitchens, albeit |
| with the French fare being a somewhat obvious | | | | that watching is much easier than doing. |
| afterthought. Others claimed to have French trained | | | | The wait staff does an outstanding job of pairing |
| chefs, but my taste buds told a different story. It is | | | | wines to each stage of your meal and has a large |
| with great pleasure that I report that my taste buds | | | | selection of wines from around the globe. One of the |
| have found true French cooking, and it is alive and | | | | great surprises is the quality of the Mexican wines |
| well in Los Cabos. | | | | the restaurant features. Until recently, Mexico was |
| Begat by Jacques Chretien and his wife Sophie, the | | | | not regarded as a wine producing country but with |
| French Riviera is a gastronome's paradise, an oasis of | | | | the abundance of land and temperate climate that |
| flavor infused sauces, originality and decadence. Led | | | | exists here. Slowly but surely, Mexican wines are |
| by Chef Jacques Chretien, the staff prepares some | | | | being taken seriously by wine enthusiasts worldwide. |
| of the finest meals that are likely to ever pass your | | | | To make selection even easier, the restaurant menu |
| lips, all the while making guests feel more at home | | | | offers the option of adding wine selection to both |
| than any home should have the right to feel. That, | | | | single and double entrée prix-fixe menus. |
| my friends, is no easy task, but somehow these | | | | For the finish, dessert, and what a selection they |
| wonderfully hospitable folks make it look easy. | | | | offer. My partner, Dolores Peralta, opted for a |
| Chef Chretien has the honor of belonging to a small | | | | chocolate soufflé made with Valrhona |
| community - the world's greatest chefs. As recipient | | | | chocolate and served with fresh baked cookies, goat |
| of the Maitre Cuisinier designation (French master | | | | milk and caramel ice cream. I opted for the lemon |
| chef), he joins a group that boasts only 200 | | | | soufflé with the same garnishments. Valrhona is |
| members worldwide with only forty or so outside of | | | | a wonderful French chocolate company. Their "Noir |
| France. Mexico boasts a total of five, Los Cabos has | | | | Amer" chocolate literally translates as "black bitter", |
| only one. The award is bestowed by the French | | | | which is a fair description of both the color and taste |
| government and recognizes culinary excellence as an | | | | of this chocolate. For the true chocolate aficionado, |
| art form unto itself. Couple Jacque's talent and | | | | eating Noir Amer is almost a religious experience. It is |
| passion for fine food with Sophie's "joie de vie" and | | | | most likely as close as you'll ever come to tasting |
| undeniable warmth, and you have a five-star dining | | | | pure chocolate essence. |
| experience set in one of the world's most | | | | In addition to the soufflés, the French Riviera |
| picturesque coastal destinations. | | | | also offers; melted chocolate cake served with pear |
| The main restaurant is open for lunch (12:00 to 4:00) | | | | puree; a soft hazelnut biscuit served with chestnut |
| and dinner (5:30 to 11:00 pm), bar service runs from | | | | cream; a selection of seasonal red fruit with |
| 11:30 am to 11:00 pm. Decorated in with stone tables | | | | "Sablé Breton mango coulis and cocoa sorbet; |
| and wicker chairs, the interior bathed in earth tones, | | | | or flambéed apples and bananas served with |
| the restaurant is warm and inviting. Out on the | | | | Calvados chocolate dentelle. |
| terrace you are surrounded by lush landscapes and | | | | Another aspect of the French Riviera experience is |
| an endless ocean view with Land's End and the | | | | that it does not have to end with lunch or dinner. |
| famous arch off in the distance. Sunsets here are | | | | Rise the next morning and satisfy your morning |
| spectacular. | | | | appetite with a short trip to either of the restaurants |
| Chef Chretien's menu is an eclectic collection of | | | | satellite locations for terrific breakfast fare. Fresh |
| original dishes and classic French fare. For starters, | | | | baked baguettes, decadent pastries, crepes and |
| your waiter brings you a delightful trio of "welcome" | | | | more await and there is nothing more appetizing then |
| canapés, sea bass tartar with baby green | | | | the aroma of fresh baked goods carried on crisp, |
| onions, goat cheese mousse and other seasonal | | | | clean coastal breeze. All in all, the entire experience is, |
| delicacies. A nice touch that starts the process of | | | | well, magnifique! |
| making guests feel truly special and welcome. | | | | To learn more about the French Riviera or to reserve |
| For an appetizer try the lobster cappuccino served | | | | your table, visit them online at or call 011 52 (624) |
| with truffle foam and a crispy zucchini stuffed ravioli; | | | | 142-3350. Bon apetit! |