R Dub ReviewsTaqueria El Tio Juan, Puerto Peñasco

Since I've been so off my game lately that I even failed to post a recipe last Thursday (well, it was Thanksgiving, after all) and I'm still not up to par, I thought I'd entertain you with a YouTube from R Dub!'s famous International Taco Inspection. This video showcases El Tio Juan's on Calle 13. Will this be another 5-Sombrero inspection?



As R Dub says: "Taqueria El Tio Juan's lies in the heart of Rocky Point's Calle 13. On a street filled with restaurants, stands, carts, and taco establishments of all kinds, something about Juan's open-air, half-stand, half-restaurant-looking set-up was appealing. Maybe it was the colorful tile on the floor, or the smell of carne on the grill that called you in; or the rows of old school Coca-Cola plastic tables, and patrons of all ages that seemed to be having fun. Whatever it was that brought me to Uncle Juan's, I was glad I came. Get ready for some of the best tacos ever!"

Be sure to visit The Taco Review: Searching for the perfect taco... one truck at a time!

But the burning question of the day is this: When El Gitano eats there, does he put ketchup on his tacos? :-P

Ketchup For Puerto Peñasco!

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

I could list a bushel full of reasons why I like PP (and all of Mexico for that matter), yet having lived, worked and played in Asia, the Pacific, Europe, the Caribbean and the USA over the course of my life I could never really figure out why I have an extra soft spot in my heart for this land of beaches, sun and fun. Until now that is!

According to a recent Wall Street Journal piece by Ilan Brat and Paul Kiernan the U.S. ketchup giant H.J. Heinz Co has discovered that “Mexicans eat more ketchup by sales value (I ‘think’ they meant volume?) than consumers in all but eight other countries. Many of them slather the thick red sauce on chicken, pasta and eggs— even pizza”, and the company is now seeking to “tap” Mexico’s taste for ketchup.

Now we’re talking, amigos, because, to the horror of family and peers, all my life, whenever the opportunity presented itself I, too, have slopped the red delicacy over just about anything you could imagine. And being a connoisseur of fine condiments, I’ve always considered Heinz ketchup to be the world’s finest ‘topper’!


But what I don’t get is this: In a country where I’m sure it is written in their Constitution somewhere that tomatoes (in one form or another) must be served during all three meals each day to all 100 + Million folks (and turistas, too!) how come it took the ‘suits’ at Heinz so long to figure this one out?

Maybe it is because they’ve been too busy with other markets such as the “beans in tomato sauce” they make ‘Down Under’ at their Heinz-Watties factory in Bomen (outside Wagga Wagga) Australia, and hawking those frijoles under their very successful ad slogan "beanz meanz Heinz"…

Now that the good people at Heinz have concluded that there are millions of us here in Mexico that like a good blast of ketchup from time to time I wonder how long it will take them to also discover we like beans, too, because that “beanz means Heinz” sounds pretty darn tasty and I’m sure they could sell some sort of “Frijoles y tortillas” contraption down here if they’d remind us to add a little ketchup, ah, I mean salsa, too!

¡Viva México y Puerto Peñasco!

Email me: El Gitano Penasco

Carlton Advisory Services to Sell Condo Project in Puerto Penasco

-by La Huerita

In the Real Estate category, I have some interesting news. New York, NY-based Carlton Advisory Services Inc. has been retained by two undisclosed Mexican financial institutions to coordinate a sealed bid loan and REO sale of several properties throughout Mexico. One of those is an un-named 99-unit condominium project in Rocky Point just one block from the ocean. Raise your hand if you have a good idea which project that would be...???

UPDATE Nov. 27: The project in question is the Linda Vista Condominiums in Las Conchas. As follows:

ASSET SUMMARY
Property Type Residential Condominium Building
Asset Status Non Performing Construction Loan
Location Camino a las Conchas S/N, Fraccionamiento las Conchas, Puerto Peñasco,
Sonora.
Collateral Description The subject property is a brand new, 99 unit Class A oceanfront condo project
in Puerto Peñasco. The Project is 93% complete.
Updated Appraised Value N/A
Appraisal Date N/A
Borrower Reservas Territoriales, S.A. de C.V.

LOAN SUMMARY
UPB $24,230,000
Original Note Date 9/20/2006
Maturity Date 2/26/2010
Interest Rate TIIE + 5.50%
Lien Type 1st TD
Payment Type Interest Only

In total, the sale of over $46 million of condominium and detached single family residences, single family performing and non-performing single family mortgages and REOs located throughout Mexico will be handled by Carlton.

Apparently the weakening Mexican economy is finally forcing many Mexican financial institutions to follow the US's lead by beginning the process of deleveraging.

Besides the condominium project in Puerto Penasco the assets being offered for sale inclue a partially completed 64-unit detached single family residential community; a pool of 14 performing single family home mortgages; a pool of 96 non-performing single family home mortgages; and a pool of bank-owned 27 single family homes throughout Mexico.

Carlton Advisory Services, Inc., part of the New York, NY-based Carlton Group, provides real estate debt and equity advisory services to the real estate and financial services industry. The firm offers services including debt and equity placement, investment sales, and commercial and residential loan sales. It caters to investment banks, commercial banks, mortgage companies, specialty finance companies, and insurance companies. The firm’s clientele includes Wachovia, Morgan Stanley, Greenwich Capital, Goldman Sachs, Blackacre Capital, Leman Brothers, Bank of America, Shell Oil, and Merrill Lynch. Carlton was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in New York City with additional offices in Los Angeles, California and Palm Beach Gardens, Fl.

It hasn't been a slow week, but it's been an interesting one at my end of things. Mr. La H fractured his foot, the dog got sick and I'm feeling none to perky myself. So you must excuse the recent lack of postings in The Tides. Hopefully things will return to normal soon and I can stop feeling sorry for myself (though I'm quite enjoying that). ;)

In the meantime, that's all the Buzz on the Beach for today.

Peace out...

About Beach Buzz: Not necessarily the news, this is a place for information, opinion, speculation, gossip, tips and other good stuff about Rocky Point, and Mexico in general. If you have something you'd like to share, I'd like to hear from you!

Contact me at lahuerita2@gmail.com

Did You Lose Your Mind in Puerto Penasco?

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

From Cabo to Cozumel, San Carlos to Manzanillo and many places in between over the past 20 years I’ve met many U.S. and Canadian citizens who’ve opened up all sorts of businesses in this wonderful nation.

Even here in Peñasco there are ‘Gringos’ scattered about operating businesses and if you ever sit down with one of these owner/operators (anywhere in Mexico) and ask them for some advice about opening up a business in Mexico they may tell you that you’re crazy for even thinking about it followed with endless ‘tales-of-woe’…

Yet, the Heritage Foundation (a rather conservative ‘Grupo’) reports in its 2009 Index of Economic Freedom that “Mexico scores above the world average in eight of the 10 economic freedoms...”

“The Index of Economic Freedom, an annual guide is published by The Wall Street Journal and The Heritage Foundation” and “The Index covers 10 freedoms – from property rights to entrepreneurship – in 183 countries. For the first time, the 2009 edition also analyzes regions to showcase the freest economies in every part of the world.”

Regardless of where a person opens up, operates and manages a business and whether said person is a ‘National’ or ‘Guest’ of a specific region there are always rules of the road to follow and in that regard there is no difference in starting a business in (e.g.) downtown Phoenix/LA or Puerto Peñasco…

Of course in Peñasco if you need a break from running your business you do have those lovely beaches to stroll down while gazing at the Pelicans flying by… or maybe make a quick dash to Old Port for your lunch hour and munch down some scrumptiously delicious fish tacos (and sauces) that are to die for.

And at the end of the business day you can always stop by your favorite Cantina for hora feliz and maybe watch the sunset over the beautiful Sea of Cortez!

¡Viva México y Puerto Peñasco!

Email me: El Gitano Penasco

Tres Leches Cake To Die For

It's nearly Thanksgiving time, who's bringing the Tres Leches cake? No hands? Then I'll just have to do it myself. Why NOT add this wonderful cake to the desserts list for the holidays?

Tres Leches is a cake generally served at special occasions such as weddings and birthdays, but with the advent of boxed cake mixes to make it easier this delicious and traditional Mexican dessert can easily be served up any ol' time. It is called "Tres Leches" (3 milks) because it is soaked in 3 different kinds of milk.

There are a couple of tricks involved in making a successful Tres Leches cake using a prepared mix: 1) Add no butter or oil to the mix and 2) Beat the eggs yolks and egg whites separately, and fold the whites into the mix at the end. These steps prevent sogginess in the cake, maintaining its light texture.

If you don't like sweet, sinfully rich desserts you'll want to pass this recipe by. Just more for the rest of us, that's what I say!

And here's the recipe:

TRES LECHES CAKE TO DIE FOR:

TIPS: Shopping Success in Mexico

-by La Huerita

Shopping in México can be very exciting, whether you're looking for gifts, jewelry, souvenirs, clothing, furniture or food. From the vendors on the beach to t-shirt boutiques to upscale malls, shopping can be half the fun of going there! Here are some hints that might help you out, whether you're in a small town like Rocky Point or a big place like Cancun or Puerto Vallarta.

Bargaining is a lot of fun for some people, and not so much fun for others. Be aware that in most stores, the price is the price-- same as in the USA. Don't even bother trying to bargain with the salesclerks in an upscale store. A general rule of thumb: if the shop is air-conditioned they will not bargain. In the open-air markets, the shops a few blocks inland from the tourist areas, on the beaches, etc., bargaining is the rule.

As author Carl Franz puts it in his indispensable Mexican travel book, The People's Guide to Mexico, bargaining is not an argument. Instead it is "a polite discussion of price," a dialogue that should always be kept "light, friendly and easy-going." Once you have determined that you want an item, offer half of what they ask and work your way up until you reach a price you're willing to pay. And don't let them see that you really want something; they'll get firm on the price very quickly and refuse to come down any lower if you're fondling the item or otherwise displaying your absolute desire for it.

The secret to saying "no" that all Méxicans know but you probably don't: if the vendors are pestering you, or the children won't take no for an answer about those Chicletas, or the guy insists on giving you a shoeshine whether you want one or not-- waggle your index finger from side to side as you are saying "No". This is the signal that Méxicans understand means "I really mean No", and it works like a charm. It will often stop people in mid sentence and they'll turn away to find someone else. Be polite about it, smile, but learn to waggle that finger!

Buying silver from beach or street vendors is usually perfectly fine, but be careful because sometimes the silver is of inferior quality. Always check to see that it is marked with a .925 (or higher), the word Sterling, or both to be sure that what you are getting is good quality. Follow the instructions for Bargaining to get a good deal.

Department Stores: Besides the usual souvenir and jewelry shops, México has its own brands of department stores. Salinas y Rocha, for instance, is an upscale store equivalent to Macy's or Liberty House (at Méxican prices) selling a better quality of clothing, luggage, furniture, housewares, etc., and is worth a look. You can also look for Dorian's in some cities (there are 2 Dorian's in San Luis Rio Colorado up by the Yuma border crossing). Dorian's is a less toney store than Salinas y Rocha, but full of wonderful bargains. In addition, you will find Sam's Club, Costco, Walmart and other such stores in many Méxican cities. For the most part you will not find any of these stores in the major tourist areas, because they are aimed at the Méxican population; look for them downtown, in local neighborhoods or in the big Méxican malls.

The first big "brand" to open in Puerto Penasco was a Coppel Department Store, right across the street from the Super Ley supermarket. Coppel, S.A. de C.V, specializes in household goods and clothing, and is one of the largest department store chains in northern Mexico. It is the second-largest chain in Mexico for the sale of furniture and articles for the home. The Coppel chain operates more than 300 stores in every Mexican state under the Tiendas Coppel name and almost 200 shoe stores under the name Tiendas Coppel-Canadá.

Handicrafts: In most regions of México that you visit you will find handicrafts unique to that region. In Puerto Vallarta, for instance, if you go down along the banks of the Cuale river by the little museum there you will find Native American women (and their children) from Jalisco and Nayarít-- often dressed in the traditional clothing of their tribes-- selling wonderful handmade dolls which are dressed in the same manner as the women themselves. In Los Cabos you will find fabulous handblown glassware-- usually blue; in the Yucatán you will find Mayan-based items, from archaeological reproductions to handwoven baskets; in the interior Colonial cities you will find lots of silver and unique pottery; and so on. Almost everywhere you will find blankets, rugs, sombreros and other items that people generally think of when they come to México. By all means pick some of these up, but a general rule of thumb to remember here is to get something you like when you first find it-- 'cause chances are good that unless it's a very common item it won't be there tomorrow, and you'll never find it again!

Buying groceries in a foreign country can be pretty intimidating, especially if you don't know what half the stuff is. Most grocery stores in tourist areas of México carry American brand-names-- at a premium!-- but the Méxican versions of the same things are usually just as good, and lots cheaper. The Méxican brands of tuna, for instance, are generally better tasting and half the price of American brands, and tuna packed in water is usually cheaper than that packed in oil. In major tourist areas like Cancun and Los Cabos, which are heavily "gringoized", you can find wonderful Sonoran beef in the cuts you are familiar with, at prices you are NOT familiar with, in any of the supermarkets in the tourist areas. Sonoran beef is available in Rocky Point, too, but for the BEST Sonoran beef at the best prices you should take a side trip to Caborca where the beef is raised. Remember that a kilo is 2.2 pounds, and then ask the man behind the meat counter for "un medio kilo de hamburgesa"; what you will get is a pound of extremely lean hamburger without paying extra for the lack of fat.

The main nationwide supermarkets are Comercial Méxicana and the former Gigante (now owned by and branded by Soriana). These stores are like a K-mart with a big grocery section and are lots of fun to browse around in; both have an extensive deli section and bakery. Rocky Point is fortunate to have a smallish Super Ley, but the day Comercial Méxicana comes to Puerto Penasco you will know the town has arrived! NOTE: in many Méxican markets, especially those which cater more to the local population than to tourists, you will probably find that the chickens have both the head and feet of the chicken packed into the cavity for your cooking pleasure. If this bothers you, pass on any chicken you see with anything that looks like feet protruding from it. Méxican chickens, by the way, will spoil you for the relatively tasteless items you are used to in the USA!

Fruits and Vegetables can easily be purchased in any number of neighborhood fruterias (frooterEEyahs), and are generally very fresh, attractively presented and cheap. Be aware that DDT is still widely used in México, so always wash your vegetables carefully in purified water before you eat them-- especially tomatoes, as these are usually eaten raw. Many vegetables here will likely be strange to you, but don't be afraid to try something new. Jicama (HEEkahmah) for instance, looks like a big ol' bulbous root, but when it is peeled it has a very sweet and crisp texture. You can eat it raw in salads or substitue it for potatoes in many dishes.

Check online for Mexican recipes or cookbooks to get an idea of what to do with many of the veggies you'll find in México. Or, of course, you can check the Recipes section here at Rocky Point Tides for some of those foods and what to do with them.

Happy shopping!

Party Puerto Peñasco Style!

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

It has been some time since I’ve been inside the Hotel Peñasco Del Sol (formerly known as Plaza Las Glorias) but one hot and humid afternoon on my last visit I stopped by for a ‘cold-one’ and was appalled to have paid (with tax and tip) about $5.00 (USD) for a Tecate and I didn’t even so much as get the traditional (complimentary) small bowl of chips and salsa!

I found out many years ago it is often wise to pay and tip for each drink as I order them but as thirsty as I was that day, and after paying for the first bevy, I decided then and there that I was damn sure not going to sit there and consume mass quantities of cervezas and run up a humongous tab so I left the deserted lobby bar and made my way down the Camino…

Now don’t get me wrong as I truly like the Hotel and have also dined there on many occasions, but that five bucks that day for one beer really irked me and as I sat there pondering basic labor costs in Mexico I began to fume because I could have been sitting in a fine hotel in (e.g.) Hawaii, where labor costs are through the ceiling, having an ‘imported’ beer for the same $5 (or less).

Of course there are plenty of places in Peñasco where we can get a ‘cold-one’ at half (or less) the price but that isn’t the point because, and someone correct me if I’m wrong, bigger companies (like hotels) usually get a better price break from their vendors. So if the Cantina down the street can sell cervezas for much less, at a profit, then why can’t the Hotel Peñasco Del Sol?

Maybe it is because they are an S.A. de C.V. (“Inc.”) and like their fellow ‘Inc.s’ in the USA they have some bloodless ‘bean-counter’ hunched over somewhere crunching numbers, someone who has no clue whatsoever about building up a ‘steady’ flow of ‘locals’ who may pop in once or twice a week, have some cold-ones, order some food and continue that habit year in and year out.

All I know for sure is that it has been a couple years since I stopped by the Hotel (for anything) but I can assure everyone, including the accountant for the Hotel, that I have not given up my extracurricular activities, which often include muchos like-minded Amigos.

¡Viva México y Puerto Peñasco!

Email me: El Gitano Penasco

Picadillo Navideno en Phyllo: Mexican Christmas Hash Wrapped in Phyllo

Picadillo is a rich, slightly sweet ground beef dish that is eaten in most Mexican homes at least once a week. Very versatile, it can be served alone with a side of rice or as a filling for tamales, empanadas, chiles rellenos, burritos, tacos, etc.

Sort of a Mexican version of hash, most recipes for picadillo include ground beef (or pork), raisins, green olives, potatoes, onion, peppers, carrots and a little brown sugar. At Christmas time beets are added for color and a slightly different flavor. It's delicious!

I've added a little twist by wrapping the picadillo in sheets of phyllo dough instead of the more traditional venues, making a kind of flaky "empanada". It's a little extra work, but it's worth it. Not having made this recently, I've pinched the accompanying photo from Wikipedia (credits below this post) so you can get an idea of what the finished product should look like. I like to brush the tops with an egg wash and sprinkle them with sesame seeds just before they go in the oven.

Because phyllo dough is used, a couple of adjustments have to be made in the picadillo. First: Dice the potatoes, onion, etc. instead of coarsely chopping them so that the mixture fits neatly inside the triangle wrapping. Second: Drain the picadillo well and cool it thoroughly before wrapping it; excess oil and heat will negatively affect the dough.

And now: PICADILLO NAVIDENA EN PHYLLO

Catholics, Casinos and Puerto Peñasco!

-by El Gitano Peñasco, "The Peñasco Gypsy"

For as long back as I can remember there have been debates about Casinos in Mexico, including here in Puerto Peñasco, with perspectives both supporting and opposing such operations even though there are wonderful communities the world over creating tourism, providing local jobs, taxes for the government and so on.

One of the entities that I believe strongly opposes Casinos anywhere in Mexico is the Catholic Church, which most of us know was the same ‘Grupo’ who once ordered the all around nice guy and out-of-the-box thinker Galileo to stand trial on suspicion of heresy way back in 1633 for daring to suggest that the earth rotated around the Sun (our nearest Star).

And for his perspective (I mean knowing the facts) poor old Galileo was required to “abjure, curse and detest" his ‘opinions’, ordered imprisoned (the sentence was later commuted to house arrest for the rest of his life) and any dialogue on the subject was banned, including any writings of his on that and similar ‘issues’ for the remainder of all time.

Of course, about 400 years later (let me repeat that: 400 YEARS LATER) the Catholic Church finally admitted its errors and forgave, so to speak, what they did to poor old Galileo but they forgot to mention how their actions back in the 1600’s contributed to keeping the world in the dark for centuries to come.

Now I only bring this up because I am Catholic, I am 150% pro a Mega Casino Resort complex here and because I read on the CIA website that approximately 75% of Mexicans are Catholics, which, if true (and I believe it is) demonstrates how the Catholic Church may be influencing the Casino issue in Mexico and Peñasco.

But oddly enough, if you google “Catholic Churches Las Vegas” there seems to be no shortage of them in ‘Sin City’ and I’d bet the farm that every Sunday when it comes time to tithe it is not announced that ‘…and you heathens that earn a living at one of those houses of iniquity need not make a love offering…’ Hmmmm?

¡Viva México y Puerto Peñasco!

Email me: El Gitano Penasco

Grupo Vidanta Launches First International Airport in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico Today

Mar de Cortes International Airport Opens New Vacation Destination To U.S., Canada and the World

PUERTO PEÑASCO, Mexico, Nov.5, 2009 -- One of Mexico’s best kept secrets is about to be discovered. The first international airport in Puerto Peñasco, and the first completely privately built airport in Mexico, opens today for commercial service. Vacationers across America and Canada, and the rest of the world, will, for the first time, have quick and easy access to Sea of Cortez beaches, natural beauty, wildlife and recreational offerings that, until now, required long drives across desert and mountain terrain for most travelers.

Inaugural festivities are expected to be attended by Mexico’s president, Felipe Calderon, and other high officials as well as representatives from the tourism industry, including Grupo Vidanta, which is building the airport as well as several resort and residential developments in the region.

“The commencement of commercial air service to Puerto Penasco represents a milestone in the development of one of Mexico’s most exciting and now accessible tourism destinations,” said Fernando Antillon, Director of the Mar de Cortes International Airport. “We look forward to continued partnerships with the federal government, the State of Sonora and the private sector to develop this beautiful region along the incomparable Sea of Cortez for generations of new visitors.”

For decades, Puerto Peñasco has been known by residents of the Southwest as Rocky Point or even “Arizona’s Beach,” because of its proximity to Phoenix and Tucson, both three hours away by car. But inaccessibility – Los Angeles is eight hours away by road and air service has been limited to small aircraft – has kept the numbers of visitors low. Now, spearheaded by the Mar de Cortes (Sea of Cortez) International Airport, all that is changing as the Mexican government and the private sector make major investments in the region, building hotels, resorts, recreational facilities, several golf courses, homes and infrastructure. With the new airport, the destination will be less than an hour by air from Phoenix; less than two hours from Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Albuquerque.

Located 20 miles southwest of the city of Puerto Peñasco and approximately 60 miles from the U.S. border, the new airport is being built and will be operated by Operadora Aeroportuaria Golfo de Cortes, S.E. de C.V., a Grupo Vidanta company, which also built and operates the Mayan Palace in the destination and has developed tourism and resorts throughout Mexico. The airport code is PPE.

Commercial service will begin in November with fully functional airport and runway facilities and a modern, bright provisional terminal building, with completion of the entire airport project, including new terminal facilities, expected by 2012. Negotiations are currently underway for charter service from gateways in Canada and the U.S. as well as regional scheduled service from Phoenix, Arizona and Hermosillo, Mexico with such carriers as Aeromexico and US Airways. In the near future, additional scheduled and charter service is expected to provide access to Puerto Penasco from all over the world via major hubs such as Houston, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

The airport’s 1.55 mile concrete runway is currently capable of handling Boeing 737’s and 757’s and similar type aircraft. After a planned extension of approximately 1,500 feet, it will welcome Boeing 767’s or similar aircraft as well. Two taxiways can accommodate three aircraft on the aprons. L861 lighting on the runway, PAPI’s visual aids and wind cones ensure safe landings and take-offs. The airport actually operated for one week in 2007 to accommodate President Calderon’s aircraft on the occasion of the Mexico-USA Border Governors Conference held in Puerto Peñasco. At the time Calderon’s pilot described the new runway as “one of the best in the country.”

Known as “the world’s aquarium” and designated a World Heritage Site, the Sea of Cortez is renowned for its beaches, perfect weather, water sports, fishing and wildlife, including migrating whales and birds. Situated along the northern coastline, Puerto Peñasco, with its distinct character and charm, is undergoing dramatic growth. In 1998, the destination welcomed 1.2 million visitors; in 2008 it was discovered by 2.35 million but that number is expected to swell dramatically with the inauguration of air service and the ongoing completion of numerous four and five star resorts. Appealing to young, active vacationers, over 60 percent of visitors are between 31 and 50 years of age, with high income levels. As Grupo Vidanta and other companies develop luxury vacation home ownership opportunities in the region as well as additional resorts, the population is expected to more than double. Visitor accommodations by 2025 are expected to top 40,000, from the current 6,000 units.

As one of Latin America’s largest developers of luxury resorts and tourism facilities and infrastructure, Grupo Vidanta has 30,000 acres and seven miles of beachfront property to develop in Puerto Peñasco. The luxury vacation mega-plex planned by Grupo Vidanta is equivalent to approximately twice the area of Manhattan island; interconnecting 10,000 luxury vacation homes and 7,000 high-end hotel rooms from estuaries to ocean, by a system of canals to retail, entertainment and beach club centers throughout the complex. The company’s Mayan Palace Resort and Peninsula Golf, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, are already in operation, with two additional golf courses – by Nicklaus and Greg Norman – as well as other resorts, including The Grand Mayan, The Grand Bliss and Ocean Breeze are under construction. All facilities are expected to be completed in the next five years.

For more information, please visit www.grupovidanta.com

Contacts

M. Silver Associates
Carrie Hyman, 212-754-6500 ext. 225
carrie@msilver-pr.com
or
Maria Castro, 212-754-6500 ext. 245
mariac@msilver-pr.com

Press Release Source: Grupo Vidanta

Birria: A Mexican Classic

Birria (accent on the first syllable) is one of those traditional Mexican dishes so ubiquitous that you can find it in every town and every home in the country. It originated in the state of Jalisco, and Guadalajara is especially famous for its birrierías. You will often find birria sold by street vendors throughout Mexico, and it's commonly served on special occasions like birthdays, baptisms, Christmas and weddings. I like it any old time.

A kind of spicy stew using a paste made of dried roasted peppers, different cooks will choose different peppers to use for the broth base, which makes it very versatile. It is served by combining a bowl of broth with freshly chopped roasted meat. You eat it by filling a corn tortilla with meat, onions and cilantro, seasoning with fresh squeezed lime juice, and then dipping it into the broth before eating it (kind of like a French Dip sandwich). The broth itself is eaten with a spoon or by drinking it from the bowl.

Originally (traditionally?) made with goat (birria chivo), lamb or mutton are also commonly used and so are pork (birria puerco) and beef (birria res). (In coastal areas of Colima and Jalisco, where the green iguana is common, iguana meat is a traditional ingredient of birria, but I'll pass on that. So call me squeamish.) Nowadays it is often made with more than one type of meat and family members/guests/customers can choose which one they want.

Birria is not something you whip up in half an hour for an impromptu meal. You need to plan ahead for this-- like a DAY ahead (but you can cheat, and I'll tell you how). But it's worth it! If you're homesick for Mexico, this is like being there without leaving your home!

Beach Buzz: Free Booze, a New Bakery, Speeding in Las Conchas

-by La Huerita

Good news! If you are coming down for the Rocky Point Rally (Nov. 5-8) or anytime in November you have the opportunity to get some free booze and support a charity at the same time! Here's the deal: Visit the Camel Toe Cantina and bring along some sporting goods for the Youth Sports Foundation of Rocky Point or school supplies for Adopt-A-Classroom of Rocky Point, and the CTC will give you a free draft beer and shot of tequilla! It doesn't get any better than that!

Camel Toe Cantina is working with Fernando Lopez, Penasco Director of Sports; Rick Busa, Youth Sports Foundation of Penasco; and Mark Olszewski, Adopt-A-Classroom of Penasco to gather sports equipment and school supplies for the elementary schools here in Rocky Point. Click the pic for details, and come on down this month. Any old time at all. You can't beat this deal with a stick.

And by the way, these are only three of the many excellent charities and volunteer opportunities you'll find in Rocky Point. You can find a more complete list at my Rocky Point Charities page, and I'd bet you'll find something there that will fill that need you have to help out in your adopted community.

Next up today: If you love good bread and other baked goods and have been looking for a place to find a wide variety of them in Puerto Penasco, look no further. A bright new little coffee shop and bakery has opened in town that offers tons of baked goods (even what one fan calls "a respectable baguette), some nice desserts and excellent coffe. Called La Cubanita, it's on Sonora a block west of the Salmos (you'll make a turn off Benito Juarez across from Pollo Lucas and go a couple of blocks). You can't miss it, the aroma alone will draw you in as you pass by. The owner speaks English very well, but you can just point at what you want (to avoid drooling all over everything), then ask for a cafe con leche to go with your choice and prepare to enjoy your morning!

By the way, probably the most comprehensive source on the Net for restaurants in Rocky Point is, yes, Rocky Point Restaurants. There are pictures and everything. Take a peek next time you're looking for somewhere new to dine!

And finally, the buzz is that if you're heading down the main drag at Las Conchas you'd be well advised to keep your speed under control. Allegedly, the head of the Las Conchas HOA has had it UP TO HERE with speeders on that strip and has asked the local cops for assistance. Last I heard, there was indeed a cop with a radar gun patrolling the area and he'll get ya if you don't watch out...

And that's all the Buzz on the Beach for today.

Peace out...

About Beach Buzz: Not necessarily the news, this is a place for information, opinion, speculation, gossip, tips and other good stuff about Rocky Point, and Mexico in general. Have opinions to air, anecdotes to share, tips or tidbits to contribute? I'd like to hear from you!

Email me: La Huerita

Charities & Volunteer Opportunities in Rocky Point

A lot of expats and regular visitors to Puerto Peñasco enjoy the opportunity to give back to their adopted community, and there are many ways to do it. There are special events organized individually, local charities such as food banks, charities that support local schools, international organizations like the Lions Club and Red Cross and more. So whether you choose to provide help with cash or donations of supplies, or you get bored in your retirement and decide to volunteer your time and expertise, there are plenty of opportunities for you.

Below is a partial list of recognized charities/organizations in Rocky Point, and all of them will be grateful for your help. I'll update the list as I learn of more. Also keep an eye on the Upcoming Events page, because many of those fun events (such as bathtub races, golf tournaments, concerts, etc.) benefit some charity or pet cause. You can feel good to be improving lives in Rocky Point and have a great time while you're doing it!

Without further ado (and in no particular order):