Jim Nabholz
Google
We dined at Pitihayas during our stay at Hacienda del Mar. We walked in at 7:45pm, and were seated immediately; the place was 40% full at most. No reservation needed. The "slow time" at the resort is May through Sept, which is why we visit in May/June every year. We dined at Pitahayas during the week of the June full moon. We arrived just before moon rise, so we decided to share the Full Moon Food/Wine Pairing menu. The food was good, the wine pairings were great (Som. Christopher Perez - most excellent). The service/timing of food/wine presentation was terrible. Most dishes were delivered, and we'd have to wait 10 minutes or so for the wine pairing to be poured, but that time the food was cold. Our waiter tried to pick up the slack, but twice brought the wrong wine to the table. The prices are over the top, excessive for the CSL market, but the resort has a "captive audience" in that it's not very easy or convenient to go off the resort for other dining options. Bottom line... good food, great wine pairing, service isn't that great and the prices are excessive. Our last visit to Pitahayas was not that memorable, this visit did little to change our minds.
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What a difference a day makes! We tried Pitahayas again for dinner here at Hacienda Del Mar, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Service was great, attentive, but not intrusive. We began with the amuse bouche of falafels, with a side of a middle eastern tomato sauce… Delicious!
For appetizers, we tried the sashimi tuna and the grilled octopus. The appetizers arrived quickly, and were served at an excellent temperature. The tuna was super fresh, and the side dollops of wasabi were the perfect match. The grilled octopus may have been pan-grilled or fried, as opposed to grilled, but it made no difference. Outstanding taste, especially when paired with the sauce on the side; and there was a lot of octopus there, easily an entree-sized serving.
For our entrées, we selected the crusted sea bass, and the blackened fisherman’s catch, also sea bass, or perhaps the equally popular local grouper. The both fish were expertly prepared. The plate presentation of the crushed fish was excellent, and the soy-based sauce underneath the fish was very tasty. The blackened fish was divine, and the side brussels delicious.
We ordered wine for dinner, a Roganto sauvignon blanc, an excellent representation of the varietal from Mexico. The wine was served appropriately chilled, and the table bottle service was perfect.
Special shout out to the entire staff, well done! Special hat tip to Mimi at the bar, easily one of the best bartenders in Mexico, and so pleasant to chat with about cocktails, local cuisine, etc. A wonderful evening at a 5-star restaurant!
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Update October 27, 2023
Staying at Hacienda Del Mar again this Fall, here for a "birthday week" and had dinner at Pitahayas this evening. Despite enduring Hurricane Norma only 6 days ago, the restaurant was up to speed this evening. Service was good, attentive, but not intrusive, and the pace of the meal was good. The "almost" full moon helped to set the atmosphere for the evening!
The food was very good. Amuse bouche of watermelon and feta cheese was good. Sourdough bread, amazing! Crispy shrimp very good, but needed a better pairing on the plate. Very nice berry sorbet palate cleanser before the entrees were served.
Creamy rice and blackened fisherman's catch for entrees both good, but the fish was better!
The wine was served cool, not chilled, a 1/2 ice bath fixed that issue. Nice complimentary b'day dessert served at the end was a nice touch. Pitahayas is worth a try if you're in Cabo!
