 with Steve Dryden
Punta Banda Embraces Baja Wine and Cuisine
Tomas Dryden first drove my brother Mark and I out to La Bufadora in 1956. The long and winding road that led to the point was dirt, dangerous and not well traveled. On a bluff with a remarkable view of the bay was an old man who sold lobsters from a 50 gallon steel drum where he cooked several each day and sold them for $1(us) a piece. In addition, the rocks along the bays were abundant with large abalone, and the fishing offshore was phenomenal. Yellowtail, sea bass, halibut, croakers, rock cod and other species were plentiful. You could rent a small boat with a local skipper for $10 day. Back in those days our family “exploration vehicle” was an off-road special made from a stripped-down 1948 Mercury with a flathead V8 engine. VW dune buggies (Baja Bugs) were unknown at that time.
Last week my father (85) and I returned to Punta Banda together for the first time since 1956. I’d been back many times as a teen with my friends and have camped there for many years since, but this was our first “reunion exploration” to the marine geyser (blow hole) and the bay. The road is a little better these days and is paved along with the addition of many speed bumps. We drove out towards the bluff where the old man sold lobster, discovered he was long gone, but had been replaced by La Buf’ Adora Tequila Grill. We were happy to observe that the view of the bay hadn’t changed much, although the cliffside community and tourist destination certainly has expanded. The good news is that the old man has been replaced by Alex and Eduardo Malpica, Jan Burg and Chef Roberto who continue the tradition of serving fresh seafood and other culinary delights at the Tequila Grill. The $1 lobsters are gone, but we were surprised at the large portions of culinary delights at reasonable prices. This was the first time we experienced a chef coming to our table to make fresh guacamole with a chunky blend of avocados, tomatoes, and onions, livened-up with garlic and fresh lime.
Keeping with the tradition of serving fresh seafood at La Buf’ Adora, my dad and I shared a seafood entree called Halibana. The fish was still jumping from the boat as it entered the kitchen, but was soon calmed down with a shot of tequila before being processed. Our fish was gently prepared using a combination of spices, fresh local onions, tomatoes, wrapped in banana leaf, then baked to a tender perfection. We also shared a remarkable dish called Brenda’s Molcajete or Molcajete for Two. My dad is a gourmet chef so he’s not always easily impressed with the cooking of others, but he really savored this meal. We both commented on the fact that all the ingredients were fresh and flavorful because they are grown on near by farms. The Molcajete is crafted with sauteed mushrooms and diced shrimp in a rich cheese sauce with marinated (tender) beef filet and strips of chicken ***. La Buf offers a large diversity of quality cuisine from starters to full dinners, seafood dishes, Mexican style dinners, and more, all served with homemade soup, beans and rice. In fact, everything is made fresh everyday, no canned, frozen or prepared food here. The bar features an awesome view of the bay and is fully stocked with an assortment of fine tequilas, beer, mixed drinks and Wine from Baja California. They’re open daily at 11 am and feature many specials throughout the week. Stop by for details.
Gourmet Cuisine and Premium Mexican wine have been embraced by the community of Punta Banda for decades. For example, renown Chef Tina Jo and Dawn have built a film studio where they create tantalizing productions about the healthy lifestyle of preparing and consuming raw food. Dawn is the skilled artisan who built the studio and their oceanfront home, while Tina Jo is the Chef who prepares her amazing dishes using fresh raw vegetables and other natural resources. Her show is popular worldwide and can be viewed at www.bajawineandcuisine.com or at http://www.ChefTinaJo.com.
Each year in August members of the community of Punta Banda sponsor the annual Chili cook-off competition attracting people from around the world. Local chili cooking experts create unique recipes, gather secret ingredients and head off to cook on site and win fans. The event also features a salsa competition with both events judged by a panel of certified food lovers. This years Los Gordos 15th Annual Chili Cook-Off & Salsa Contest is on August 21, 2010 beginning at 10:00 am until 6:00 p.m at Los Gordos Restaurant, La Bufadora, Ensenada, Baja Calif, Mexico Join them for Los Gordos Annual Anything Goes Chili Cook-Off! Enter the competition for a chance to win some big bucks, or just come an enjoy an afternoon overlooking the Pacific Ocean and sampling the chili entered in the cook-off. Music, dancing, raffles, crafts and fun.
D.L. Streets Johnson, a resident of Punta Banda was instrumental in the development of the popular TV series about Mexican Wine and Cuisine, The Grapevine. He is a business partner at El Ocho, Cable TV Channel 8 or Varivision. This exciting, educational, and entertaining show promotes the local wine and culinary industries with a focus on “ local stars”, thus our regional chefs and winemakers. Our wine and culinary adventure in Baja California is now viewed around the globe with this famous clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmmKK6nj9KM) reaching almost every corner of the world, thus exposing the truth about Mexico’s “silent revolution” in creating world-class wine.
Jay and Charles of Punta Banda are skilled winemakers who are producing excellent wines from grapes purchased in Baja California. Both attended La Escuelita, the Valle de Guadalupe wine school in 2008, and are now well on their way to becoming important members of over 300 artisans making small, handcrafted wines of superior quality in Mexico. In addition, many longtime, certified beer drinkers in the La Bufadora region are now transitioning into the world of Mexican wines with the help and dedication of people like, Jay, Charles, Streets Johnson, Tina Jo, Dawn, Alex, Eduardo, Jan, Vince and Kathleen Taormina and others.
Somewhere around mid-September a fund raiser for the Punta Banda fire station will take place at La Buf’ Adora Taquila Grill.. Events will include a paella feast, raffles for fishing trips, art work and more.
Despite the fact that the communities of Punta Banda and La Bufadora are “a little bit out there” and seldom heard from, you can be sure that you’ll always find many interesting characters as well as world-class hospitality in this remote region, enhanced and charmed by the best Mexican cuisine, fresh seafood, beer, tequila and Baja California wine. Life is a beach, but don’t miss the Point ~ at La Bufadora!
Steve Dryden is a wine, food and travel writer living in Guadalupe Valley where he guides small group wine tours. He can be reached at: sbdryden@hotmail.com Visit his blog: www.winefoodguide, Twitter: at Mexican Wine Guide or Bajavino.
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