el ponche by ann hazard - los cabos magazine .pdf · 2013-03-28 · blindfolded and take turns to...

64 LOS CABOS MAGAZINE

El PONCHEMéxico’s Holiday Punch

Since México is a predominantly Catholic country,Christmas revolves around the birth of Christ. Thefocus is religious, the atmosphere joyous. It's one ofthe major fiestas of the year and just about everyonetakes off the last two weeks of December to celebratewith their families and friends. Central to all festivi-ties are specially prepared foods and drinks unique tothe holidays.

A hot fruit punch called ponche is served throughout theseason, which jumps into gear on December 16, with LasPosadas—nine days of candlelight processions and par-ties, and continues until January 6, which is Día de losReyes Magos or Three Kings Day.

After sunset each night, in villages, towns and citiesthroughout the country, children gather to reenactJoseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem. The proces-sion is led by a young Virgin Mary, often atop a live

burro, with a tiny Joseph at herside. They're followed by childrendressed as angels, the Reyes Magosand an assortment of shepherds andlivestock. Singing traditionalChristmas hymns and carrying can-dles, they proceed to the first des-ignated house, where they plead tobe admitted. They are turned away.They're refused admittance at thesecond home as well. At the thirdhome, they are told that whilethere is no room for them in theinn, they are welcome to take shel-ter in the stable. At this point, thedoors are thrown open and thechildren are bid a jubilant wel-come. Everyone kneels around amanger scene, or el nacimiento.Prayers and songs are offered inthanks to God.

Immediately after is the time of thepiñata, where the children areblindfolded and take turns to smashopen the papier-mâché containerfilled with candy and toys. When itbreaks, goodies scatter to theground and the kids dive in, scoop-ing up as many as they can. Thencomes the food and ponche.

Midnight on Christmas Eve iswhen Christ’s birth is proclaimedwith fireworks, the ringing ofchurch bells and the blowing ofwhistles. Afterward the peoplesurge into the churches to attendmass before heading home for aChristmas feast of tamales, rice,chiles rellenos, menudo, roast pigor turkey, along with ponche. Thispunch has been a holiday traditionin México since colonial times. Itsorigins are both Spanish andMoorish and it’s a tasty, dramaticaddition to any Christmas or NewYear’s fiesta. Serve it without alco-hol or give it a kick or piquete byadding rum or tequila.

By Ann Hazard

LOS CABOS MAGAZINE 65

• 2 pears, peeled, cored, andcut in thin slices • 3/4 cup raisins • 1 pound guava, quartered • 3 (3 to 4-inch) pieces sug-arcane, each cut in strips • 1/2 cup raisins• 1/2 pound crabapples,peeled and cored • 2 cups (1-inch) dicedpineapple • 1 cup sugar • 8 (2-inch) pieces Mexicancinnamon • 8 cups water • 8 shots Tequila or LightRum (optional)

In a large pot, place the fruit, sugar,

cinnamon, and 8 cups of water. Bring

to a boil and lower heat and simmer for

1 hour. Serve hot in a mug with a shot

of tequila or rum. Be sure each mug

contains some of all the fruits.

“EL PONCHE” (Hot Fruit Punch)

Serves eight.

Kar

la L

ópez

The prehispanic

food fusion at

Zuomo Restaurant

is created by Chef

Sergio Figueroa,

who will take you

on an excursion

full of artisan

culinary richness.

Plaza Las Velas, Zona Comercial FONATUR,

San José del Cabo, 23400, B.C.S.

Ph: (624) 105-2828www.zuomo.com.mx

www.loscabosguide.com/zuomoloscaboswww.loscabosguide.com/zuomoloscabos


Tourist Corridorwww.loscabosguide.com

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The Tourist Corridor is a playground on the edge of theworld, where the desert disappears into the sea. A four-lane highway carves through the 18-mile Tourist Corridorconnecting Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Alongthe way championship golf courses and luxury resortswind along the stunning coastline with many sandybeaches ideal for a relaxing stroll.


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CELEBRATING IN STYLE


What better time than the holidays to celebrate employ-ee dedication, company success, or a family gathering.Whether you’re planning a grand corporate holiday party, ora more intimate gathering, being responsible for the eventand creating an outstanding venue can be daunting. In LosCabos, however, you’ll have countless choices to stage yourevent making sure it’s one to remember.

Holiday parties are booked well in advance. Weddingrehearsal dinners, receptions, reunions and corporate partiesare just some of the events that are popular around LosCabos. This is especially true at La Golondrina, when theweather in November and December allows for events to beheld in their private open-air patio areas. They offer a vari-ety of buffet options from their traditional Mexican FiestaBuffet to their Executive Surf & Turf Buffet.

If you want to partake in a national Mexican holiday,November 1 and 2 are big celebration days in México calledthe Day of the Dead or All Soul’s Day, honoring the dead.For many years, Mi Casa Restaurant has honored those whohave passed on by decorating the entire restaurant for thisfestivity, including a large candle-lit altar and many religiousart pieces. A special menu allows visitors to experience oneof México’s most original celebrations.

From the appearance of the first Noche Buena flowers (the poin-settia plant), through the New Year and beyond, there are manycelebrations including posadas (Christmas parties). From the16th of December to the 24th, there are street processions thatculminate in house parties, fiestas with food and traditions seepedin history. Not always are they held at private residences. Manyare held in hotels and restaurants. La posada is the typicalChristmas holiday celebration for employees and neighbors.

Most restaurants in Los Cabos will be more than happy toaccommodate your group for a special gathering, and mosthave private dining rooms or patios. Amarone Italian Ristoranteis an unforgettable location with seating under the stars and livejazz entertainment. A more casual atmosphere on the marinamight be just the place for a family reunion at Baja CantinaDockside or Solomon’s Landing, both with outstanding viewsand waterfront action. Baja Cantina Beach Grill is anotheroption for those wanting to experience the sand, the sea, andsumptuous food. Sancho Panza is famous for its live entertain-ment and bountiful wine selection. Consider La Casa del Pozo,a more secluded spot for a special group wanting to experienceauthentic Mexican fare and great tequila. The Original ParkRestaurant can host a very large gathering in their new location,serving huge portions of delectable seafood. Nikki Beach is a

By Sandra Berry

Quiet rooms with the magical

charm of a traditional Mexican

terrace and garden, in the

heart of San José del Cabo.

Daily from: 7:30am - 10:30pmDegollado between I. Zaragoza & Doblado, SJD

Ph: 142-0534 / Fax: 142-0902Web: www.hterranova.com.mxMail: [email protected]


fun locale for the younger crowd. On Christmas Eve, Pancho’sRestaurant has piñatas for the children that come to dinner withtheir families.

On New Year’s Eve, Pancho’s opens the patio for dancingwith a DJ that plays music from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Partyfavors and champagne are distributed at midnight. LaCasa Country offers a night of revelry with great food,live music and hats, horns, and whistles to welcome in theNew Year. Sunset Da Mona Lisa, famous for its outstand-ing view of the arch, hosts a New Year’s Eve party with aspecial menu and live band. Due to the layout of theproperty, they can hold several events at the same time.The Original Park Restaurant also hosts a gala party, withtheir time-honored seafood board menu, plus the usualfavors and champagne.

Many boat owners prefer to host a holiday party forfriends on their boat, or even dockside without set-ting sail. Dining aboard a boat can be a romantic andmemorable way to entertain and there are many char-ters available. From sunrise to sunset, whether forbreakfast, brunch or a sunset cocktail cruise, thismight be the best of all.

The 6th of January––Día de los Reyes Magos, or Day ofthe Kings, upon which day the children receive theirgifts––unofficially marks the end of the holiday seasonand is also widely celebrated.

Holiday merriment and the ideal place to host a party,whether private or for a group, can be found in LosCabos. All it takes is a little planning, ingenuity, andresourcefulness.

Josep

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LOS CABOSdining

When cooler weather allows for events to be held outside, La Golondrina’s fes-tive and spacious patio is the perfect place.

La Golondrina

Paseo de La Marina 871, Local 11 & 13, Plaza Gali

Phone: (624) 143-1309

A piece of Europe with the

first Irish Pub in Los Cabos

[email protected]


GIVING THANKS

Traditional Thanksgiving Dinners and Where to Find Them

Many Americans think Thanksgiving is only celebrated inthe U.S. because of the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving in 1621.But this autumn holiday is celebrated in many countries andfor basically the same reasons: to give thanks for what onehas and the bounty of the previous year. Spending time withfamilies and eating large dinners are the norm. Add watch-ing football, and you have the makings of a perfectThanksgiving dinner, whether at home or in a restaurant.

Even though Los Cabos has a large Canadian populace,and they celebrate Thanksgiving the second Monday inOctober rather privately, Thanksgiving in Los Cabos iscelebrated the same as in the United States, the fourthThursday in November. Thanksgiving is not a nationalholiday in México, but Mexicans enjoy the feast associat-ed with the day.

Enjoying pavo (turkey) is quite com-mon, especially in tourist areas suchas Los Cabos. In fact, wild turkey isnative to, and was domesticated inMéxico. There are a number ofrestaurants that won’t disappoint youcome “turkey day.” A long-timefavorite since 1992 is La Golondrina,where, while dining under twinklinglights alfresco, the roasted birdcomes with all the trimmings servedbuffet-style. Due to a huge demand,those seeking a little different faremay order lobster, shrimp, steaks andeven Mexican food. Poblano chilicorn chowder, sweet potatoes withroasted chili pecans, and bread pud-ding are the big draw. Many visitorsmake their reservations while diningon Thanksgiving Day for the follow-ing year’s celebration.Thanksgiving Day is celebrated atboth Baja Cantina locations, eitherDockside or the Beach Grill, each withoutstanding views. Besides the tradi-tional stuffed turkey with all the trim-mings, they also offer a shrimp and filet

By Sandra Berry

Many restaurants, such as La Fonda, decorate their dining areas, adding

to the holiday spirit and celebrating the abundance of the previous

year with timeless representations such as pumpkins.

Elegant & Romantic Dining in The Ocean Room or Poolside. Live dinner music &piano bar nightly. Fully air-conditioned. For those of you with demanding palates, ourChef will delight your taste buds. The Cigar Lounge features a wide selection of fine

Ports & Cognacs, and fresh Cuban cigars.

Open Daily 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. • Reservations SuggestedPhone: (624) 143-0739 / Fax: (624) 143-1679

Located up the hill from McDonald’s restaurantwww.loscabosguide.com/casarafaels.htm • email: [email protected]

Owned & operated by Rafael Arraut


LOS CABOSdiningmignon combo or fettuccini. At SunsetDa Mona Lisa, Italian Chef EmanueleOlivero always puts his special autumntouch into his Thanksgiving dishes,such as pasta with seafood and pump-kin sauce, ravioli with sweet potato fill-ing, and sweet corn muffins withcranberry compote.

Peacock’s Restaurant has continuedthe traditional Thanksgiving feast for15 years, with an innovativeMediterranean touch. The owners ofThe Original Park Restaurant pridethemselves on that fact that they’vebeen serving the traditionalThanksgiving dinner for 22 years.Their plated turkey dinners come withhomemade cranberry sauce, whiletheir full board menu of seafood, steaksand Mexican food is also available. Formany, the Latitude 22 Roadhouse is afavorite. Everyone raves about the deli-cious food at reasonable prices.

Some say that Habanero’s in San Josédel Cabo has the absolute best stuff-ing in the world, and Solomon’sLanding has turkey stuffed with wildrice, served with melt-in-your-mouthcandied yams with pecans, and garlicmashed potatoes.

Who says the traditional Thanks-giving menu is set in stone? Thereare so many variations to how theturkey is prepared, whether the birdis stuffed or dressing offered on theside, and every locale has its take oncranberry sauce, not to mentiondesserts. While in Los Cabos, takeyour pick of any of these home-away-from-home offerings andenjoy the feast. Reservations arenecessary wherever you go.

There are a number of restau-

rants that won’t disappoint

you come “turkey day.”


NIGHTLIFEMatthew B. Dexter

The Echoes of Enchantment

The wide array of superb choicesand voices can be heard pleasantlyechoing in every direction, rearrang-ing the usual nightlife scene by con-stantly offering more amazingoptions. From gentle harmonies in lux-urious beachfront hotels in San Josédel Cabo to roaring marina cantinas inCabo San Lucas, and all along themagnificent resorts of the golden cres-cent corridor shoreline in between,live entertainment is the vibrant fluidthat uses music to pump melodiousvitality through the palpitating heartand soul of Los Cabos.

A plethora of sweet ethereal sounds andlive musical options can always be foundfloating leisurely in the oceanic breezealmost everywhere you roam in Los Cabos.

HotelsAt Casa Rafael’s, a romantic gourmetrestaurant, just steps away fromMédano Beach, you can enjoy the

Every evening Los Cabos comes alive to the

sweet melodies of musical enchantment.

Local live music is an eclectic fusion of exqui-

site sound and beauty. Many talented musi-

cians from around the globe are using our

magnificent setting as an exotic tropical

stage to bestow extraordinary musical per-

formances upon us.

Jorg

e Trev

iño

La Roca’s Fiesta Mexicana at Playa Grande Resort offers a truly traditional experience.


music of a talented pianist, Juan CarlosMaradiaga, performing classical,Mexican, and international music dailyfrom 6:30 p.m. to midnight. Located inCabo del Sol, a few miles outside ofCabo San Lucas, is Pitahayas Restaurantfeaturing nightly live jazz from their tal-ented house band Boss a Doss from 7p.m. to 10 p.m. Situated a little closer toSan José del Cabo, Casa del Mar has aweekly Mexican fiesta with a live folk-loric performance and breathtakingviews of the Sea of Cortés.

La Roca Restaurant at the PlayaGrande Resort, on the Pacific side ofCabo San Lucas, hosts a MexicanFiesta with live mariachi and folkloricdances every Saturday night from 6p.m. to 9 p.m., and a wonderful trioknown as Los Marlin performingMexican and romantic music every-day from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Nikki Beach Cabo San Lucas at theME by Melia Cabo Resort has amaz-ing DJs playing electronic musicfrom 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, sur-rounded by a lush ambience of gor-geous young patrons from foreigncountries all around the planet.

Italian with a ViewOverlooking the beautiful Cabo SanLucas Marina, Amarone offers an ele-gant and harmonious escape from theworld. Amarone has orchestral liveballad and jazz music Tuesdays,Thursdays, and Saturdays from 6:30p.m. to 11 p.m., with occasional per-formances by Daline Jones. Sunset DaMona Lisa, serving delicious Italianseafood with an amazing view ofLand’s End and the Cabo San LucasBay, has versatile live music perform-ances with different bands everyThursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Onthe second level, DG Lounge hostslive entertainment every Friday nightfrom 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

LOS CABOSnightlife


Casual At Mango Deck, Yael performs live ballads every night in front of the sparklingCabo San Lucas Bay. A few miles outside of Cabo San Lucas, with an excep-tional arch view, Peter Bacon performs his famous piano man oldies repertoireThursday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Latitude 22+ RoadhouseRestaurant Bar.

Closer to the marina in Cabo San Lucas, Baja Cantina Dockside has a wonder-ful duo that performs Mexican music nightly in the restaurant from 6:30 p.m.

to 9:30 p.m. On Médano Beach,Baja Cantina offers a cuarteto (quar-tet) Sunday through Wednesday,jazz on Thursday, and flamencoFriday and Saturday. Baja Cantinacomes alive on the beach with musicevery night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Amazing DJs playing

electronic music at

Nikki Beach start the

party long before the

sun goes down,

surrounded by a fun

ambience and gorgeous

young patrons.

Mar

iano

Lem

us


LOS CABOSnightlifeDowntown

Sancho Panza Wine Bistro and Jazz Club Restaurant is a vis-ceral musical reincarnation that the fabled squire himselfwould be proud to have inspired. With nightly shows andjazz performances by local and international artists from7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., this magical and festive musicalambience creates an unprecedented dining experience.

Cabo Wabo is the undisputed king of vociferous live rock,where nightly performances of their house band get hotaround 10 p.m. The famous and legendary rock star andowner Sammy Hagar has been known to make surpriseappearances, so you never know what to expect from anevening at the Cabo Wabo Cantina.

Not to be outdone by the restaurants and bars of Los Cabos,street performers of various persuasions and abilities can befound wandering the avenues at all hours of the night, espe-cially around the downtown area of Cabo San Lucas. A pri-vate improvised performance or a romantic serenade can bea timeless and exclusive encounter that will remain an indeli-ble Cabo vacation memory for the ages.

Wherever your Los Cabos journey takes you, rememberto discover the symphonic treasures of our heavenlyLand’s End. The endeavor will be a worthwhile theexperience. As the future progresses, live music willonly continue to further diffuse wonderful melodiesthroughout Los Cabos.

Fran

cisco

Estr

ada

Add a bit of culture and tradition to your night on the town with

Sunset Da Mona Lisa’s Mexican show.

el ponche by ann hazard - los cabos magazine .pdf · 2013-03-28 · blindfolded and take turns to...

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