Restaurante Nomada

I was a lucky guest this past Saturday evening at Cava Maciel winery and Chef Gilberto Morales’ Restaurante Nomada.

Upon entry along the rustic stone walkway, we were greeted with a cloud refracted sunset in its last half hour of glowing.  Met Jorge Maciel and enjoyed our tour of the property.

Temperature approached high 90sF this afternoon, but, we were in cooling mid 70s now at 7PM.  Having no idea what food we would be ordering, Jorge had us select a bottle of our liking.  We picked a merlot off the shelf, but our gracious host, pulled that bottle and replaced it with one from his wine cooler for us.  I have not had a merlot in 2017.  So many cabs and grenaches get in the way.

This merlot had more fruit than others and worked well with the food fun we were about to enjoy. Oak background was ok(see “12 meses en barrica del roble”) and second glass was slightly more mild here.

Chef Gilberto highlighted some suggestions.  We went along with them and asked him to bring us three plates of his recommendations.

Here is Chef Gilberto with his sea snail platter and salsa verde.

Just last weekend, Chef Gilberto and team won the Cali vs. Baja ceviche competition on Coronado Island, San Diego.   This tuna, chile, veg and guacamole ceviche was like no other.  The textures and a bit of heat were so much fun.

Lamb burritos with nopales were another surprise along with a different salsa verde.  Lamb is not my normal favorite, but, I have been tasting unique dishes like this one that are changing that opinion.  A perfect pairing for lamb happens to be a quality Merlot.  I’m guessing either Jorge or Gilberto knew this and provided the combo.

This duck breast with pozole and mole was full of juicy fat and way too much food for us.  But, we got our beaks deeply into it.  This was the best duck plate I have ever enjoyed.

As the flyer indicates, Nomada moves to a new location every season.  Happy to find them at Cava Maciel.

We give Cava Maciel and Restaurante Nomada five out of five possible Kumiai clay pots as our award appreciation of their unique ingredients, combinations, flavors, presentation and relaxing setting. It was the best dinner I have enjoyed in 2017.

Gracias Jorge, Gilberto, amigas y amigos del Valle de Guadalupe!

At K92(approx 1.6 miles north of the San Antonio de las Minas traffic light) you will see Hotel Plaza Fatima. Approx 300 meters beyond Fatima(north) on the right will see Cava Maciel’s sign and a big “Las Lomas” brick wall sign.  Take that right turn from the Hwy 3 to the end.

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