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a feel good travel blog

Top 5 Places to Eat & Drink in Downtown San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico

8/17/2022

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San Jose del Cabo is a charming and historic small city located on the Southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. Vibrant and alive, the food is as colorful as the flags that wave over the town's streets. 

Eating in San Jose, has been some of the best Mexican food I have ever tasted. However, for a moment, I almost found it hard to find Mexican food as global fare, especially Italian restaurants are all over the square. 
Whatever your palate fancies, and budget can afford, you'll find it in San Jose. 

I found eating out was comparable to American west coast prices, but somethings like beer and smoothies were overall less expensive than the states. Here are several places I recommend that are or have plant-based options for the meat-less traveler. 
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Jazmin's Restaurant
Jazmin's hands down was my favorite restaurant in San Jose. Fresh, savory and veg-friendly, the restaurants decor makes this place extra charming. The exterior is outlined in Mexican tiles, where inside each room is decorated in a different theme, with the back room looking like a jungle. There is a gift shop located inside, ironically and well-placed, on the way to the women's bathroom. NOTE: This gift shop is cheaper than most souvenir shops around! 

Homemade salsa and tortilla chips came with the meal, and instantly became the best salsa I have ever had. Smokey and light, the combination with the homemade chips was an excellent combination. The cheese enchiladas were a 1000 on a scale of 1 to 100. The salsa verde is fresher and made differently in Mexico so the overall flavor was much more enhanced as well as the beans and rice being of a flavorful quality - not like what one would experience at a Tex-Mex restaurant. Guitar players may come up to the table to serenade the table. As a reminder they work for tips
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La Lupita Taco y Mezcal
Everyone in Cabo raves about this restaurant. They all say, "If you want the best tacos in town you must go to La Lupita." Maybe its amazing for meat eaters but for vegetarians, I found this just sub par. The waiters will outline your table with four salsas ranging from mild to extra hot. The mild is an avocado cilantro dip and that was AMAZING! They also gave complimentary tiny-enamel cups of the black bean soup and that was BEYOND AMAZING. If it was not 93 degrees, I would've ordered an entire bowl. 
However, for the tacos....I thought they were fine. The veg options were very unique such as tofu-stuffed poblano peppers and mushroom and cactus tacos, or Greek eggplant in a pita. 

Sometimes when you're hungry, you want something satiating. The cactus didn't really do it for me. It was rubbery and reminded me of meat and so in that sense I was not a fan. The fried poblano pepper was actually favorite of the three with the eggplant coming in second place. They do have amazing flavor combinations so the chefs know what they are doing, but I guess I just like the good old standard sweet potato and/or black bean tacos for veggie options. 

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Mi Vegano Favorito 
If searching for old-school veganism and delicious and healthy food, visit Mi Vegano Favorito. Located on the edge of town, this quirky setup is ran by some locals who are super in touch with the natural world. All of the menu options were 100% made from plants. No mock meats and no fake cheeses. I got the Dragon bowl and the charred vegetables combined with the sauces was hands down one of the best bowls I've ever ordered. Order the Agua Natural as it changes daily, but on a 93 degree day the pureed pineapple in water was so refreshing. I enjoyed how everything was served in enamel and stainless steel to keep the drinks cold. 

The best part of this place was the TV with a bumper sticker, "INORGANICA." Anyone who knows anything about consciousness knows the difference between the natural and unnatural worlds. I honestly wish I went back to try the burgers and empanadas. A must visit place for vegan and healthy food!
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Baja Brewing
Sandwiched between La Lupita and Jazmin's is Baja Brewing. This is a great place to cool off with a local beer, or satiate your hunger with one of many bar food options. Brandon's a beer guy, and really enjoyed Baja Brewing. Me, I'm a kombucha girl, and each week they rotated Kombucha on tap. The first week was a natural/ginger kombucha and the following week was blueberry. I LOVED it. I noticed kombucha in Mexico was maybe a tad sweeter but not as bubbly as the USA. 

We were so hot from walking around, drenched in sweat that the only thing we could consume was the Caprese Salad, which was phenomenal with the basil sauce and pistachios. 

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Los Tamarindos Coffee Roasters
Anyone who lives in Seattle for an extensive period of time becomes a coffee snob. I am not sure why or how, but Seattle has excellent coffee. Well mis amigos...Mexico coffee blows Seattle out of the water! I dont know what it is, or why it was so much better but it is. Brandon thought that maybe the lesser rung beans are exported to the states ? Who knows but this quirky little cafe is a must visit, not only for the coffee, but for the atmosphere and local artistry. 

For those who may not know, American drip coffee doesnt really exists much outside of America and Canada. Expect espresso drinks or maybe cold brew for a chilled option. On the counter guests can smell the jars of beans to get a better sense of what to order for bags of beans or grounds. We took several bags of beans home with no regrets! 

Where is your favorite place to eat and/or drink in Downtown San Jose del Cabo? Let us know in the comments below. Let's Connect! 

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11 Cheerful Pictures of Heidelberg's Christmas Market

12/25/2015

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Heidelberg is one of Germany's most visited cities. The Christmas markets make Heidelberg's Old Town sparkle with Christmas cheer. Here are 11 photos that show how cute and quaint Heidelberg truly is.  
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Berchtesgaden, Germany: A Historic Walk Down Memory Lane

11/13/2015

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How could such a small town have such big history? It’s not just big historical in textbooks, but this tiny Bavarian town has a large part of my heart’s history.

Both sides of my family come from the Ukraine, which also includes some Polish blood in our genes. Growing up I watched my Great Grandmother, who we called Baba, cook pierogies, kielbasa and sauerkraut, stuffed cabbage and borscht. Visiting her throughout my childhood, I always remembered her grandiose rose garden and her antique cabinet that contained painted Easter eggs, decorative plates and hand-stitched table clothes.
 
Although my Great Ukrainian Grandmother lived in Cleveland, she lived close to her Eastern European roots. Why does this matter? Because my family, including my grandmother, lived in Berchtesgaden, Germany for seven years before immigrating to the United States in 1951. During the War, my family was taken from their farm in the Ukraine and sent to Budapest, Vienna and later Berchtesgaden to live in displacement work camps.
 
I learned a lot from my Baba who lived an abundant life filled with family and grand children. Complete opposite of me, a driven for success type of person, I valued her simplicity to find happiness while being surrounding by her loved ones.
 
I felt those same feelings while walking through the time Berchtesgaden streets.  Besides its charm and beauty, the locals lived a simple life filled with strudel, kürbis soup and market vegetables.  Everything around had that German-Austrian flare that included class and delicate details. Houses on the hill were decorated with lavish flowerpots and ivy that trickled down the wooden walls. 
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Even the cemetery was beautiful, but also saddening. Young men who fought for the “Vaterland” during the World Wars lived short lives, some died as young as 20 years of age.  But, I guess its no different than today with young men serving overseas. Isn't the world ready for a change? What would happen if we took all the brain power and put it towards collaboration and not war?
 
This city is also known for Hitler’s retreat, Obersalzburg where his bunker and Eagle’s Nest home lies. Walking through the bunkers was an interesting experience.  We walked in the same rooms and hallways of such a dark historical figure. So much history occurred in the same hallways where Hitler and his one thousand SS troops once lived and stood. It was surreal to think that my family once lived, or maybe crossed paths, with the War’s most treacherous beings. But, somehow they survived everything. It's interesting to see such a beautiful place integrate the light and dark aspects of life - nature and war. 
 
Today, Berchtesgaden is a perfect Southern Germany getaway to escape the city life and stress. Surrounded by pristine nature, visitors can explore Königssee and the nearby national park for hiking and walking. It’s the perfect place to reflect about life, spend time in nature and discover the secrets of human history. 
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Vegan in Ibiza: Passion's Cafe

9/18/2015

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Ibiza is an idyllic island for those who love electronic music, hippie markets and healthy eating. Passion’s Café is one of Ibiza’s most popular (healthy eating) cafes. Passion’s is not 100% plant-based, but the bulk of their menu consists of vegetarian, vegan, raw and macrobiotic options. With four locations throughout the island, it’s easy to catch a sunrise meal or a sunset snack. 

I stayed in Playa D’en Bossa and visited the PDB’s branch for a pre-party (well technically post-party) breakfast. Thanks to sunless days in Germany my body does not adapt well to hot environments the first 24-hours, which means the only thing I can ingest are fruits and liquids.

The PDB’s location is on the south end of town close to Space and Ushuaia. The street-side café offers outdoor tables, inspirational quote-posters and an extensive menu. I stared at the menu while watching a table of tattooed burly British bears down shots of wheatgrass, espresso and kale-infused smoothies. Although they couldn’t body build in Ibiza, they certainly knew how to cure a hangover.

Unfortunately, Ibiza is an expensive place and one must accept the level of prices. My eyes disbelieved at first the prices. Seven to ten Euros for a smoothie? Welcome to Ibiza! I ignored my 300-dollar income and ordered an eight-Euro peanut butter banana and cocoa smoothie since I have not consumed that combination in years. It made me reminiscence of my college days working at a vegan café and slugging chunky monkey smoothies.

I sat and sipped while wondering #WTF happened to my feet last night. Apparently, flip-flops are not dance-friendly shoes. But the music was worth it and so was the ginormous smoothie. The cold and soothing flavors chilled my insides from a near heat explosion. I ordered a homemade croissant for a beach snack.

Passion’s menu ranges from egg-potato hashes to quinoa pilaf dishes. They source locally grown produce and the tastes, flavors and concoctions are top-notch. It’s worth the price especially when comparing it to other mainstream eateries serving burgers and fries for close to the same price. Bring cash, as it’s a ten-euro minimum to use a Visa or Mastercard, but if ordering an actual meal you’ll surpass ten Euro.

Passion’s is a place to revitalize your inner-world while energizing your outer-world to survive the long and sunny Ibiza parties.  It’s a place that pushes health to the edge with modern and creative culinary inventions. To sign off, one inspirational word of wisdom from Passion’s -

“The secret of passion is purpose. What’s your passion?”

The Lemon Tree & GPSmycity.com have partnered to bring you informative articles available in the downloadable app that works offline! Get maps, tips and all the information you need from this article, available here at this link. 

Passion’s Café – Ibiza, Spain

http://passion-ibiza.com

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    Author

    Elizabeth Rae Kovar is a Fitness Trainer, Author of Finding Om, Presenter, Yogi, Vegan & lover of the World. View her portfolio at www.elizabethkovar.comor health-based blog at mindbodysoul-food.com

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