Travel Tuesday: fish tacos, Hotel California style

Baja-style fish tacos recipeThe Hotel California – not just an Eagles song – it really does exist in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico.  As some of you know, I recently returned from La Paz, Baja California Sur in Mexico, where I was on a sponsored TweetUp for the Mexico Tourism Board organised by the amazing folks at Ogilvy.  On our final day in Mexico, we headed to Todos Santos for lunch at the fabled hotel.

The Hotel California founded in 1947 by a Chinese immigrant Mr. Wong, opened its doors to the public after three years of construction, on February 5, 1950.  Mr. Wong lived in the 16 room hotel with his wife and seven daughters.  Though he changed his name to Don Antonio Tabasco as he wanted to fit in with the locals, Mr Wong was soon known simply as  “El Chino,” meaning “The Chinese Man”.  El Chino, had a lot of forward thinking ideas – bringing ice from La Paz to Todos Santos in the 1950s so that the Hotel California restaurant and bar served the only cold beer in town.  He then opened the first gas station in Todos Santos directly next door to the hotel further establishing his reputation as an entrepreneur.  During the 1960s and 1970s, precise details of the hotel’s history are a bit “hazy” – not uncommon for the culture of that particular era in general! Contrary to popular belief, the Eagles have never owned the hotel, though many visitors are mesmerized by the “coincidences” between the lyrics of the hit song and the physicality of the hotel and its surroundings:

Hotel California is accessed by driving down a long desert highway from either Los Cabos to the south or La Paz to the east.

The Mission Church of Pilar is located directly adjacent to the hotel and mission bells are heard daily. Since the Church is so close it sounds like they are almost inside the hotel at times.

Countless stories and firsthand witnesses relating to spirits and ghosts in the courtyard of the hotel.

During the 1960s and 1970s, people were known to grow their own marijuana in the extremely fertile land of the Todos Santos area and then roll them into “Colitas” which is a Mexican slang term for “Joint” or Marijuana cigarette.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the hotel had become neglected and in 2001, a Canadian couple, John and Debbie Stewart, purchased the hotel.  After completing a significant renovation, which would later win numerous awards for design and décor, the original 16 rooms were transformed into the eclectic 11 suite hotel it is today.  The restaurant, La Coronela and bar were added and the area of the original gas station became the tienda Emporio, the hotel’s boutique gallery/bazaar.

The Hotel offers many dining options – Restaurant La Coronela, gourmet bistro Santo Vino and gourmet food shop La Popular – renowned Belgian executive chef Dany Lamote focus on local organic ingredients prepared in unconventional manners featured on a menu combining exotic dishes as well as classic Mexican favorites and even some basics such as omelets and hamburgers.  If you prefer liquid refreshments, you can enjoy a specialty margarita or the award winning Hotel California Tequila and the lively bar scene by the courtyard fountain.

The Hotel offers 11 sumptuously-appointed, fancifully -furnished rooms and suites. Each has been individually decorated with rich fabrics and a collection of unique artifacts. Sip a cocktail on your private terrace while watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. Gather in one of the hotel’s secluded lounges or discover a mysterious hideaway. Take a dip in the “Hotel Guests Only” lushly landscaped pool. Enjoy the idyllic weather.

(these photos courtesy Hotel California)

Accommodations offer luxurious 500 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and down comforter, individually decorated rooms featuring art and furniture from around the world, complimentary high speed wireless Internet, air conditioning and ceiling fans, complimentary toiletries and bottled water and private or shared patios.  From a standard room to the penthouse suite, there’s something for everyone.

Whilst we were there, we enjoyed a lunch of margaritas (of course!), chips and guacamole/ salsa, fish tacos, enchiladas and chocolate fudge cake. One might “never be able to leave” this Hotel but one would be well fed!

The fish tacos intrigued me – I am, as many of you know, just learning to eat fish but when it’s this delicious and fresh, what’s not to like. I set about recreating them at home last weekend and thing I ended up doing a pretty good job.

Yield: 2

Fish tacos, Hotel California style

Fish tacos, Hotel California style

Fish tacos inspired by those I ate at the Hotel California in Todos Santos.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the fish

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 300g white fish fillets, finely sliced into strips
  • zest and juice of two limes
  • 1 orange pepper, finely chopped
  • 1/2 hot pepper (banana or jalapeño), finely chopped
  • lemon pepper seasoning
  • handful chopped cilantro
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • pinch ground black pepper

To serve:

  • 
corn tortillas
  • rice
  • small cubes of about 1 avocado
  • chopped cilantro
  • salsa or hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil and when it's hot, saute the garlic for a couple of minutes - don't let it brown.
  2. Add the fish strips and season with lemon pepper, salt and pepper.
  3. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook for 3 minutes.
  4. Add the chopped peppers, cilantro, lime juice and zest to the fish and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 more minutes.
  5. Serve on warmed corn tortillas with a small amount of rice, avocado cubes and cilantro.
  6. Spice things up with some hot sauce or salsa if you like!

did you make this recipe?

please leave a comment or review on the blog or share a photo and tag me on Instagram @eatlivtravwrite !


 

And the result? These were delicious and fresh – a little taste of the Baja Peninsula on a grey, rainy Fall day in Toronto!  I actually ate this fish mixture over rice, topped with sour cream and avocado and it was a wonderful, light supper. Highly recommended. Hey, I might become a fish lover yet!

You might also like: Spicie Foodie’s Fish Tacos.

Disclaimer: Flights to and from La Paz, accommodation at the Costa Baja Resort and all meals were provided by the We Visit Mexico team. I was not compensated for this trip or writing this post and all opinions are, and will always be, 100% my own.

50 thoughts on “Travel Tuesday: fish tacos, Hotel California style”

  1. And to think Mardi went there, and did NOT bring Mr. Neil back a bottle of the famed HC Tequila. Ah well, she knows I’m not a fan of the stuff, so it would langour in the back of the drinks cabinet. 🙂

    Great tacos, and yes sserved with rice it was a refreshing dinner; paired with a 2XIPA from Southern Tier Brewing, Lakewood, New York.

    Reply
  2. These look lovely Mardi although I don’t eat fish or meat of anykind…what could I use intead?

    P.S. Hotel California looks amazing! I’m longing for Mexico now!

    Xo
    Sam

    Reply
  3. Mexico is so beautiful, and so color rich.

    I used to not like fish in a taco, but have recently developed a taste for it. It’s always good to experiment and grow.

    Reply
  4. I had only heard of Hotel California through the Eagles (big fan of their music) so I thoroughly enjoyed this very informative and beautifully photographed history lesson of the place. Although I doubt I will ever become a fish eater, your tacos do look good and I’m glad that you enjoyed them.
    (P.S. If you ever travel to Newfoundland, or perhaps you already have, you shall have to try a sampling of cod tongues!)

    Reply
  5. I absolutely loved this post! I loved your pictures and how you managed to capture the essence of the hotel so well – you have really inspired me to go stay there. Although I love seafood, before I moved to Mexico, the idea of a fish taco – somehow seemd off-putting to me, but now it couldn’t be further from the truth – there is absolutely nothing like a fish taco when you are at the coast! Thanks once again for such a lovely post!

    Reply
  6. I LOVE Fish Tacos! There’s this fantastic little stand here that sells completely authentic Mexican food and their fish tacos are outstanding! Your look so good, I might have to give these a try!

    Reply
  7. Ok, now that song is stuck in my head. That’s ok though, it was perfect background music for such a great tour of this gorgeous hotel. It looks like a fab trip all the way around.

    Reply
  8. I have always wanted to see pictures of this hotel! It looks so fun and the food looks fabulous! As do your delicious fish tacos! Fish tacos always remind me of being on the beach in California.

    Reply
  9. Ooh… Fish tacos are one of my favorites. I finally decided to give them a try a few years ago (I was previously quite skeptical), and now I am just in love with them!

    PS – Love all of your Hotel California photos. So lovely! I need to go to Mexico. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Hola Mardi, Your fish tacos look scrumptious! I am going to try your recipe next time. The Hotel is just gorgeous and I want to live there now:) Loved the history too and the genius of a man behind it all. Thanks for the link back.

    Reply
  11. Fascinating about the hotel – and great shots. Feel we’ve been having a good look around as private guests! These tacos are to die for!

    Reply
  12. I was there. Beautiful hotel, service and great food. I spent a lot of time with my family and parents. Was an amazing experience.

    I love the tacos!

    Thanks for share

    Reply

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