San Carlos, Sonora has a new face in town and she has Mediterranean written all over her menu. Owners Victor & Ramon Cruz from Guadalajara, along with French partner/chef Benoit Tesson have created an absolutely charming bistro called La Esquina, or the inside corner.
The interior design is reminiscent of a restaurant I enjoyed in Bastia Creti in the Umbria region of Italy. My memory served me well as it was their intention to create an atmosphere similar to the wine cellars of Europe. They captured the essence perfectly with the barrel arched brick ceilings, soft ambient interior lighting, and open kitchen to the rear of the restaurant. Dining al fresco is available for diners that wish to enjoy a cigar after dinner and for those that like to bring their dogs for that authentic European touch.
Chef Benoit’s specialty is Northern Mediterranean and he and his assistants provide enjoyable samples of this cuisine. Our table shared the best thin crust pizza I have had since my last visit to Venice. We also enjoyed the lasagna, which was only a memory by the time our group had finished our meal. We were so satisfied with our main courses that we did not leave room to taste the desert menu, which included tiramisu, apple pie with ice cream, and chocolate fondant. As a firm believer in the credo “life is short, eat desert first,” I will certainly be back to take pleasure in their sweet assortments.
This sophisticated bistro is a lovely addition to our Sea of Cortez community and will be appreciated by our well-traveled residents.
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