"For years, Valle de Guadalupe was dominated by a small group of chef luminaries. Then David Castro Hussong opened Fauna at the chic Bruma winery in 2017, quickly establishing his own original voice among a chorus of modern Baja Californian chefs. The chef expresses his whimsical, lighthearted approach through humble ingredients. Scallops poached in butter, brilliantly enhanced by a viscous layer of rich, charred eggplant puree, are served with small flour tortillas, making for transcendent tacos. Meanwhile, the pork salpicón in tomatillo relish is beautifully balanced. The long, sturdy communal dining table is perfect for ordering up a feast, from fine shellfish, to duck sopes, to a tableside clay-baked chayote that highlights Hussong’s free-spirited cooking. In 2023, the restaurant was named to Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list and was the highest-ranking establishment from Mexico." - Bill Esparza