For months we have watched the construction across from El Encanto Inn & Suites on Jose Maria Morelos in the Art District in San Jose del Cabo in the former location of Barrio Burger. This new Italian restaurant has a very nice design With stone along the back wall around the open kitchen, an incredible tile mural on the wall to the right of the entry and pergolas with hanging lemon vines, the outdoor dining area is extremely pleasant. the view of the kitchen shows their wood-fired oven with firewood stacked in the front of the counter before the kitchen. There is an upstairs private dining area that can accommodate about 15 people as well. The restaurant has seating for a total of about 60 people with tables accommodating two, four, six, or eight. A large bar is featured on the left side of the restaurant. There is also a small deli at the front just inside the entry to the left that is open during the day offering coffees and beverages, pizza, several salads, and more.

We were greeted at the door and led to our table in the center of the restaurant. During construction they had kept the large tree that was in the middle of the lot, adding to the atmosphere. We were offered the menu and asked what we would like to drink. For the first course, the menu offers several raw seafood and beef items – oysters, clams, tuna tartar, beef tartar – antipasti, ranging from mussels to cold cuts, eggplant, risotto balls, and seared octopus. There are also two salad choices. For main courses, the menu offers risotto, several pastas, fish, salmon, several beef dishes and of course, pizza from the wood-fired oven. The chef, Gigigo is from Naples and so, the preparation are Napoli style.

For appetizers, we selected the Aracino (risotto and mushrooms in a deep-fried shell, Mussel stew, and Tuna Tartar. While we were waiting the server brought us a plate of three different types of fresh rolls with a large ramekin of butter. The Tuna Tartar Bruschetta were very interesting as they were served on a mini wood-fired grill, and were delicious. Everyone loved their appetizers and the rolls, and we did a little sharing. For the main course, pasta and pizzas were our selections. Jim and I chose the Tortellini stuffed with mushroom ragu and served with a 22-month parmesan cream sauce and truffles. It was amazing. Jackie selected the Pappardelle pasta with sausage in a pesto sauce. Beth chose the linguine with lobster, garlic and cherry tomatoes. The lobster was large and in the shell. The last choice was a pizza with Italian sausage, mushrooms, truffles, and smoked provolone cheese.

Someone was having a 30th birthday party and the restaurant and arrived with big balloons of a 3 and 0. The restaurant had only been open for a week but was full by the time that we were finishing our early dinner. I was seated so that I could watch the chef at work in the kitchen and he was very particular with the preparation and plating of each dish.

Overall, the food flavors and portions were very good, the service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is special, with a lot of care taken in the design of the restaurant.