We invited our friends, Eric and Lisa, two of the founders of the Monarch Effects Foundation (MEF) to join us for dinner at La Tuna Restaurant and Bar on Forjadores across from the G20 Convention Center and Tienda 17 in San Jose del Cabo. As MEF is offering college preparation (really life away at University prep) at Collegio Mission just down the hill on Wednesday afternoons, we thought they should know of a great place to go after class for dinner with their guest speakers.

Eric and Lisa didn’t know about the restaurant and so they were surprised to see the large new palapa. The couple are protein forward eaters and so seafood or meat is a great choice for them. Our server handed out the menus, which offer starters, soups and salads, ceviches, aguachiles, seafood cocktails, sashimi, tacos, tostadas, and even pastas and risottos with seafood as well as a few steaks. It took a while for all of us to make up our minds and what to choose for dinner.

Eric and Lisa decided to share a shrimp cocktail and the grilled watermelon and tuna ceviche to start. I also order the grilled watermelon and tuna ceviche to start. Before our appetizers arrived, we were each brought a small seafood amuse on a mini tostada. What a great way to start the meal. The servings of the appetizers were very large. The ceviche was amazing with a great combination of the sweetness of the watermelon with the little bit of spice with the tuna and pickled onions on top. They both really enjoyed the shrimp cocktail in a large glass.

Lisa viewed the grilled watermelon and tuna sashimi as her entrée as well after the shrimp cocktail. Eric asked our server is he could have just a single skirt steak taco (the order is 3) to try it and then have the skirt steak brochettes as his main course. The server agreed and brought a single taco with a plate of condiments – Pico de Gallo, two salsa and coleslaw. He was impressed. Beth ordered the Shrimp Fiesta with Classic Shrimp served with rice and grilled vegetables as her main course and I choice the marlin quesadillas. Beth was very happy with the shrimp dish with eight breaded shrimp, rice and vegetables. I had warned Eric but when his steak brochettes arrived, he was in shock. The plate had two very large skewers of steak with peppers, bacon and onions and was served with mashed potatoes. One whole skewer ended up in a box to take home. I had tried marlin tacos at another restaurant in San Jose del Cabo that is no longer open and enjoyed them and so I was very happy to see them on the menu here. They were delicious.

The portions were large, the flavors very good and the service was excellent. We were too full to consider any dessert.