On our last day in Ensenada, before heading back towards Tijuana, the group split into two groups with the choice of either hanging out in Ensenada for a few hours or going to the already scheduled
La Bufadora, one of the largest blowhole, or geysers, in North America.
While it was tempting to shop and enjoy some refreshing drinks, I'd been to Ensenada since childhood with family so many times. It seemed better to see something new. So La Bufadora it was.
I never imagined it would be so packed with families, couples and just so many people happy to be there. It was hard to get a veiw at the blowhole with so many crowds.
Walking back to meet the group I spotted the lady above sitting on a fence.
The blowhole itself is very hard to see from most parts of the viewing area, and some brave visitors climbed up the bare rock to get a better view. I opted to climb up steps to the highest vantage point.
It was totally worth it. We got a great vantage point of the blowhole errupting every couple of minutes and the thunderous sounds were almost drowned out by the crowds cheering and clapping for the larger explosions!
What even proved more amusing than the main attraction was the surrounding market. Many vendors, selling regional arts and crafts, souvenirs and food lined the road to the blowhole, and back.
It was the most amusing mix of colors, sounds, smells - a visual feast! I'll let the photos do the talking.
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| shiny chorizo tubes |
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| clams au gratin - a very popular dish at the market |
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| doll head holding handmade bracelets |
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| candy, nuts, giant pastries and cinammon sugar coated almonds (the best) |
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| elotes - Kristin, our guide kindly gave us tastes of her street corn |
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| This Viagra mascot appears in several pharmacies, in various forms and sizes |
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| frog with maracas? - why yes! |
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| dolls on swings, frog bands and kids having fun |
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| fruit |
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| clamato and tequila shots stand |
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| marionettes |
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| Pina Coladas are the signature drink - samples offered at every step |
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| plate painting and naughty souvenirs (ladies covered with blankets at least) |
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| snakes, parrots, baby lion cub and falcon |
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| more pina coladas, even a hollowed out pineapple full (with $3 refills!) |
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| street chips with hot sauce dispenser from bottom - brilliant |
Another day in the Valle, we made a quick visit to the
Museo del Vino y La Vid. which features the history behind wines of the Valle de Guadalupe as well as beautiful grounds and architecture.
This excursions brought another dimension to the visit, along with the food, wine and landscape. Great suggestions by
Club Tengo Hambre.
The 3rd annual
LA Weekly Pancake Breakfast will take place again on August 11th. This year chef, author and KCRW’s “Good Food” radio host,
Evan Kleiman is curating the best 30 or so breakfast tastes of Los Angeles. She definitely knows her way around food and L.A.
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| Village Bakery - donut muffins, blueberry poppyseed bundt cake |
I missed the first year because of taking the name too literally and thinking most offerings would be sweet. However, in last year's event the mix ranged from sweet to savory with a great selection of beverages.
The setting at the
Vibiana Cathedral is quite beautiful. It's just small enough where the lines are not exasperating.
This year I do not plan to attend, but that didn't stop me from taking a nostalgic look at last year's festivities and eats, highlights recapped below.
Drinks
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| chai horchata |
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| La Mill - Ethiopian Coffee |
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| detox juice |
They also had a couple of hosted bars with brunch type cocktails like Bloody Mary's, with a gourmet twist.
Sweets
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| BLD - blueberry ricotta pancakes with maple syrup |
In terms of pancakes, of all that I tried, BLD's blueberry ricotta pancakes with maple syrup took top honors. Impossibly light and fluffy and just the right amount of sweetness.
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| Nickel Diner - bacon maple and whiskey donut holes, house made pop tarts |
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| Nickel Diner display |
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| Nickel Diner plate |
Savories
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| Gottsui - okonomiyake pancake |
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| Auntie Em's - shrimp and grits |
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| Auntie Em's - shrimp and grits |
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| Market - chilaquiles |
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| Good Girl Dinette - steak crostini |
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| Good Girl Dinette - steak crostini |
The chilaquiles and crostinis really satisfied.
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| Euro Pane sausage biscuit and gravy |
Although I love Euro Pane, their sausage biscuit and gravy was lukewarm, which is not how I want to eat gravy.
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| Hungry Cat - display with baby corn and oyster shells |
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| Hungry Cat - salmon pancake |
Hungry Cat's salmon pancake, with mustard seeds and tangy dill sauce, took best in show for me. It's the only booth I went to twice. I could not contain my appetite for these one bite wonders.
Granted, my tastes lean toward the savory much more than sweet.
On such a hot day and packed event, it was a relief that besides the interior rest areas, they put up benches and umbrellas outside. That's my friend, Sunny, waving at me.
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| Handsome Coffee |
And finally we got a late visit from LA Times Food Writer/Restaurant Critic
Jonathan Gold, who had curated the 1st event.
Handsome Coffee stopped serving when they ran out of milk, even if you wanted black coffee.... I'm sure they managed to wrangle up a cup for Mr. Gold.
No event would be complete without
Starry Kitchen owner, Nguyen Tran in costume. His lederhosen did not disappoint.
These selections represent only a fraction of the offerings. I took a lot of breaks vs. a marathon eating approach. Also avoided the very long lines, of which there were not too many. And the sun slowed everyone down a bit.
Even then I surely left with a very full and satisfied tummy.
If you are wavering on whether or not to attend, this recap may help you decide. I'm sure this year will bring a whole slew of new good eats.
