A magical night begins with great food, soft music, and a spectaular sunset like the ones you can only find in Rocky Point. All of this waits for you up at the top of the hill when you visit The Lighthouse Restaurant.

Perched high near the town’s working lighthouse, The Light House Restaurant feels as if it is suspended over the sea and the city lights below. And what a view! A panorama of the entire town spreads out below as the sun melts slowly into the ocean. ‘Click’. Dinner usually comes to a stop here as everyone grabs their camera or cell phone, some discussing wheather there really is a green flash, and will we see one tonight?

The perfect time for relaxing, a live band on the patio sets the mood. Owner Armando Noriega, after a long career in Mexico City’s professional music scene, leads the group and plays seductive saxophone sounds. Suddenly the lights are dimmed. Someone has ordered flaming coffee! A waiter lights the alcohol floating on top of the coffee, then with great skill pours the burning liquid from cup to cup. Sugar sprinkled on the flames ignites, making a mini fire works show. And show it is. Weather your table ordered it or not, everyone in the house enjoys the dramatic little ritual of Mexican Coffee.

Lights up, and here comes your food. You have chosen the Mixed Fajita Platter. Good choice! Chicken, beef, and mushrooms served on a sizzling platter with homemade tortillas on the side. Really tasty stuff. The Chicken Cordon Blu, stuffed with white cheese and ham, and the Mango Shrimp are also popular and good choices. Steak Tampequino stands out as well. Normally made from strips of flank steak, the Lighthouse uses filet along with the rice, beans, and avocado of this traditional Mexican dish.

After dinner, head upstairs to The Lighthouse Lounge. Formerly known as the Crows Nest, the Lounge has the feel of your own personal hide away, and is a cool alternative to the bigger party places in town. Lots of personality and occasional live music on weekends.

*Located on Whale hill, turn off of Benito Juarez at the sign across from the harbor

*Open 7 days from 3:00pm to 10:00pm

*for reservations call 638 383 2389

This week, the city of Rocky Point opened a Visitors Information Center on the Malecon. Walk in for help in English or Spanish, and take a look at the material that is available from the hotels, tour companies, and others in business of appealing to vacationers. The Center is in the stone building across from Portofinos Restaurant at the start of the Malecon.

High powered viewing binoculars have been installed on the Malecon too, and you can see in detail everything out to the resorts on Sandy Beach. Is that our condo? Did we really leave the Mini Mouse beach towel hanging on the railing? Oh well.

While you are looking, see if you can spot where the sea turtle nest is. Earlier in July, a Pacific Olive Ridley sea turtle came ashore to lay a clutch of eggs, now buried on busy Sandy Beach. Look for the protective orange mesh that has been set up around the nest to shield them. An environmental official from the Mexican government is there monitoring the safety of this protected species.

Not a regular event like it is down south in the state of Nayarit, the nesting of a sea turtle happens once in a while around Rocky Point. In about twenty more days we should see the baby turtles make their mad dash into the surf. The question is, will they stop for a selfie first?

Art events are popping up around town in the form of movie nights, photography shows, and dance events. In the past week, the Plaza de la Madre has hosted two of these. Plaza de la Madre is the public park next to the baseball stadium, and is dedicated to mothers (there is a statue of a drowsy mom cradling one baby while reading to another child. Way nicer than a soldier on a horse or a politician).

On Sunday, the monthly Cultural Corredor brought together painters, photographers, and musicians by the old fashioned Kiosk at the center of the park. The Soundsets, piano, bass, sax, and vocals, played Jazz with a pop touch.

Wednesday night saw the second in an on-going series of events to be held here. Music from the duo of Vania and Heber (known to regulars of the Mare Blu restaurant) accompanied a show of low-rider customized bicycles. Ballet was performed by the Mariana Zatarain Dance troupe, and body painting was realized by Izreal Garcia with make up from Lourdes Rivera.

Watch the Seaside Reservations blog for more about the events and activities you can find when visiting Rocky Point.   by Richard Scott

 

 

Bella Sirena means the ‘Beautiful Mermaid’. Part of that beauty comes from the lush landscaping, pristine pools, and luxurious interiors.  A unique and beautiful resort, plan your next stay with Seaside Reservations.

The Sonoran Sun is the place to be this Summer. Stay cool and watch the stars come out. Aren’t you glad it’s not a school night? Reserve your stay in Rocky Point now.

One place that feels just like ‘the little restaurant down the block’ is Colin’s Cantina. Right inside the entrance to the popular Princessa de Penasco Resort on Sandy Beach, Colin’s is great for a casual breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Less than six months old, Colin’s Cantina likes to try new things. If the customers like it, it goes on the menu. That’s how the Bacon / Blueberry Pancakes came about. Taco baskets are a great choice if you are watching the game at the bar, or maybe a Hatch chili chicken burger. The kitchen is fast, and the service is friendly.

Soon, cozy Colin’s will be a bit bigger. The dining area will be expanding into an adjacent office space, so with almost zero downtime or construcion mess, the restaurant will become twice as big. There is currently patio seating as well. Look for the updated dining room when you visit later this Summer.

Easy to get to near the entrance to the Princesa Resort in Rocky Point, Colin’s Cantina is open to the public from 8:00am to 10:00pm, closed on Wednesdays.

Retaurant promotion / Lighthouse Restaurant

A magical night begins with great food, soft music, and a spectaular sunset like the ones you can only find in Rocky Point. All of this waits for you up at the top of the hill when you visit The Lighthouse Restaurant.

Perched high near the town’s working lighthouse, The Light House Restaurant feels as if it is suspended over the sea and the city lights below. And what a view! A panorama of the entire town spreads out below as the sun melts slowly into the ocean. ‘Click’. Dinner usually comes to a stop here as everyone grabs their camera or cell phone, some discussing wheather there really is a green flash, and will we see one tonight?

The perfect time for relaxing, a live band on the patio sets the mood. Owner Armando Noriega, after a long career in Mexico City’s professional music scene, leads the group and plays seductive saxophone sounds. Suddenly the lights are dimmed. Someone has ordered flaming coffee! A waiter lights the alcohol floating on top of the coffee, then with great skill pours the burning liquid from cup to cup. Sugar sprinkled on the flames ignites, making a mini fire works show. And show it is. Weather your table ordered it or not, everyone in the house enjoys the dramatic little ritual of Mexican Coffee.

Lights up, and here comes your food. You have chosen the Mixed Fajita Platter. Good choice! Chicken, beef, and mushrooms served on a sizzling platter with homemade tortillas on the side. Really tasty stuff. The Chicken Cordon Blu, stuffed with white cheese and ham, and the Mango Shrimp are also popular and good choices. Steak Tampequino stands out as well. Normally made from strips of flank steak, the Lighthouse uses filet along with the rice, beans, and avocado of this traditional Mexican dish.

After dinner, head upstairs to The Lighthouse Lounge. Formerly known as the Crows Nest, the Lounge has the feel of your own personal hide away, and is a cool alternative to the bigger party places in town. Lots of personality and occasional live music on weekends.

*Located on Whale hill, turn off of Benito Juarez at the sign across from the harbor

*Open 7 days from 3:00pm to 10:00pm

*for reservations call 638 383 2389

As resort towns and vacation destinations become bigger, or at least more established and mature, the range of experiences and mix of services changes. Originally all about going fishing and hitting the dunes for some off-road action, Rocky Point is seeing more and more of the activities and offerings you would expect to find in long established beach get aways like Cancun and Cabo San Lucas.

This includes more personalized service. Rocky Point is an easy place to get around, and find all that you need in order to have a fun time. Especially the more you come here. But even then, having help putting together a special event, or finding just what you want to make your stay closer to your idea of perfection, sometimes goes better with a little help. Getting things to be just so is the specialty of Lidia Sandoval, who is bringing concierge service to those reserving a place to stay through Seaside Reservations Mexico.

Rocaportense (Rocky Point native) Lidia knows the people and places of her home town well, but her skills as a concierge were honed south of here, in one of the most well established tourist destinations on earth, Puerto Vallarta. ¨Where I worked before, each floor of the Resort had it´s own concierge! In Rocky Point, I will help all of the guests who reserve through Seaside Mexico, no matter if it is at one of our resorts or a private residence in Las Conchas” says Lidia.

What can a concierge do for you? “We have 347 check-ins this weekend. To all of them I have sent an email to welcome them, and let them know we are here, and what we can do just for them” Lidia tells me. “We start with the little things – turning on the AC in their condo an hour before they arrive, stocking the kitchen with groceries if they want. With the places that Seaside offers being so nice, many visitors want to spend a lot of their time in Rocky Point  just enjoying being ‘home’ in their condominium. A private dinner party prepared by a personal chef, accompanied by saxophone and song from a live musician, makes for an unforgettable occasion. Of course we can arrange sunset cruises and fishing trips too, everything that you could want.”

A member of the Pacific Coast Concierge Association of Mexico, Lidia Sandoval brings her enthusiasm and experience to Seaside, and to her home town. “I’m excited to be the one bringing something special to the place that I love.” Concierge service is offered to all guests reserving with Seaside Reservations. Lidia can be contacted at 383 0200 or 602 218 5320 seasideconcierge@seasidemexico.com

by Richard Scott

Singer/songwriter Yahir Duran made an appearance in Rocky Point this past weekend to share his music and written word creations. A teacher in Tijuana, Yahir’s music shows his roots in the church. His original works often have a classical feel. Yahir supports his singing with piano, and guitar, and the evening’s music flowed from one to the other. Looping his guitar and vocals on some songs gave the feel of a large ensemble to his performance.

The Civic Auditorium was the location for Saturday Nights show, organized by local musician/teacher Luis Lugo, who joined Yahir for one song. The music easily can be called ‘Trova’, a style much like American folk music from the 1960’s in it’s sound. Yahir Duran expands his music not only by the use of loops, but with the inclusion of rap and accapela singing.

Sunday evening brought the attention to Yahirs writing. A free presentation at Puerto Viejo Cafe included readings and conversation based on his book. Puerto Viejo regularly has art and cultural evenings on it’s patio, and events like the ones with Yahir Duran show that interest is growing and more is happening in Penasco.

by Richard Scott

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