Islas Restaurant & Bar, Loreto Baja: A colorful dining experience on the Malecon
While walking along the Malecon exploring the various options for dinner one evening, a bright and colorful restaurant caught my eye, Islas Restaurant & Bar. On a dark evening along the Malecon, the bright and bold orange, blue and red colors of Islas is like a beacon along the Sea of Cortez.
The inviting interior beckoned us and we went in. It was a quiet evening in Loreto and Islas was no exception. Normally, Clint and I would be hesitant to be the only diners in a restaurant but the waiter was so friendly and the colorful interior gave the entire restaurant a cozy and lively feel.
Near the center of the restaurant, they even had a little wine rack with a selection of wines from Mexico, Argentina and California. Is it just me or have restaurants in Loreto started to expand their wine selections?
Throughout the restaurant there are interesting pieces of artwork to look at. The waiter gave us carte blanche on table seating so Clint and I chose a little table against a window overlooking the Malecon. It wasn’t long after we sat down that another group of patrons sat down at a table across from ours.
Clint and I ordered a Sopa de Tortilla (Traditional Tortilla Soup – 40 pesos) and an Ensalada Aguacate (Loreto Islas Special Avocado Salad – 45 pesos) to share. For our main courses, I ordered the Pollo Barbeque (Grilled Chicken with Barbeque Sauce – 75 pesos) and Clint requested the Ribois (Ribeye Steak – 150 pesos).
The tortilla soup came nice and hot in a modern-style white bowl which was a nice contrast to a restaurant so alive with many primary colors. We really enjoyed the tortilla soup which was delicately made with thin crispy strips of corn tortillas and meticulously pulled cheese that was just stringy enough and melted into the soup. This cheese and chips with the rich broth balanced well with the pieces of avocado which were perfectly ripe.
The salad, unlike many other places in Loreto, was beautifully presented and offered with the choice of ranch or Italian dressing. We chose Italian dressing thinking it was just going to be “ok”. We were pleasantly surprised. The salad was artfully presented and the dressing was tasty without being too acidic. The lettuce, tomatos and avocado were fresh, no limp lettuce here.
Both the soup and the salad with highlights of the meal and I could see myself returning if only for these two dishes.
The barbeque chicken dish was well presented on top of a bed of rice, topped off with alfalfa sprouts…again set against a plain white plate. The dish was good, but not extraordinary. The barbeque sauce on top was sweet and smokey and then had some real kick and heat at the backend.
The rib eye was decent but Clint notes, “This is definitely not a steakhouse steak”. It was a skinny cut of meat compared to traditional rib eye portions. Clint does concede he may have done better with a fish dish at this restaurant. The potatoes could have been cooked a little more, they were slightly crunchy still. At the price of 150 peso, you do get what you pay for. The dish was on par with steak served at US chains such as Chilli’s.
Another dish we didn’t try but may on another visit is the Pescada Menier (Fresh Fish in Islas Mariniere Sauce – 95 pesos).
Overall, it was a great meal, good value and a wonderful visual experience. I really enjoyed the cheerful restaurant decor and the plating by Loreto standards was excellent. Some of the best tortilla soup and salad I have had in this little town.
Islas Restaurant & Bar
Address
A. Lopez Mateos ESQ. Salvatierra
Loreto, Baja California Sur. Mexico C.P. 23880Website: www.palmarojagallery.com
For other Loreto Baja restaurants, check out the Restaurant Directory.
Loni Kao StarkCo-Founder StarkSilverCreek, Creative Director and Wine Collector
Loni is a self-professed foodie, adventure travel seeker and aspiring artist. It’s been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. The former Ms. Global Petite runner-up is host of several SSC shows including WineTube TV, StarkSilverCreek Presents, Loreto Live, and the new series The Artist Diaries. Between busy travel schedules to Washington, Napa and global destinations such as Australia, the Baja and Europe, she expends the rest of her energy collecting wines, practicing “escape artist”-style cooking, and building what she hopes, one day, will be a real estate empire. She catches her breath by writing about her adventures.
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Las Islas is one of our favorites. Next time go to the bathroom!
The art is very surprising.
FN549
Another good review guys, but from our experience the fish/seafood dishes are their forte. One of our favorites too.
The garlic seared fish is to die for. We always order it. It is big enough to feed two…..
Pat
Hi Kate, Pat and Barry – Thanks for the recommendations. I will definitely check out the bathroom the next time.
I did have a sneaking suspicion that fish was what we should have ordered. Will definitely try it out next time we are down.
Loni
Your coments are great but this is a fish & seafood place, an they are great at it …try the fish salad.
Thanks Ben and Jill – We will next time we are in Loreto!