If you’re traveling from San Diego to Rosarito, chances are you’ll whiz right by Mi Casa Supper Club and not even see it. But take a slight detour off the freeway, and it is right there, with the white sails floating in the breeze on the rooftop. It is especially glorious when the sun is setting, and my mind is blown whenever I am down in Baja and I’m sitting in a restaurant with the ocean right in front of me.
It is the night after Sabor De Baja, and Chef Bo Bendana Sein, the event’s co-organizer is running around the restaurant welcoming the guests streaming in. The space is absolutely stunning, resembling someone’s house rather than a restaurant. But that’s the appeal of Mi Casa. I learn from Maryam Malak (the singer who entertains us at Sabor De Baja, and winner of The Voice Baja), a personal friend of the Seins, that Bo used to host dinner parties at her home before she opened the restaurant with her husband Dennis. It all makes sense now!
We are joined by Jose (the MC of Sabor) and his partner Larry, friends of the Seins, but also, frequent customers of the restaurant. It is once again balmy and humid. A fan blows vigorously nearby, still, not enough to take the heat with it. However, as the sun sets on the horizon, the muggy, stifling air dissipates and we are introduced to a cooler, gentler breeze which is a welcoming respite from the earlier unforgiving heat.
Our meal begins with house-baked bread and butter infused with herbs de provence. It is good, really good. We try not to fill up before our meal begins.
Of course, in Baja, seafood is always the star of the show. A platter of 6 San Quintin Gigamoto Oysters arrive topped with a chile ginger champagne vinegar sauce and flying fish caviar ($12/192 pesos). As I am unable to partake, I can only watch as everyone around me slurps away and groans at their obvious deliciousness.
Before long, Shrimp Ceviche ($9/144 pesos) comes to the table with one of my favorite preparations — leche de tigre — a simple marinade of lime juice, salt and pepper, avocado, cucumber and pickled red onions. The fish is perfectly tart and I love the texture and super fresh umami lingering on the palate.
Next comes Bruschetta ($7/112 pesos) with Moroccan-spiced grilled eggplant, roasted tomatoes and peppers. It is a take on zaalouk, and it is delicious! I picked up hints of cumin, paprika and turmeric.
The Catch of the Day ($18/288 pesos) is a tender piece of white fish accompanied by a black bean corn salad, chile de arbol and peanut sauce. We love the robust sauce paired with subtlety of the fish, and the brightness of the salad.
One of my favorites of the evening is Cornish Game Hens ($16/256 pesos) served in a stoneware tagine. It is beautiful dish with sauteed turmeric potatoes on the bottom, layered with moist hens bathed in a preserved lemon and olive sauce. I wish I had more room in my stomach for a third serving.
However, it is the Braised Lamb Tagine ($17/272 pesos) with prune based mole sauce that blew me away. Served over saffron scented couscous its rich flavors are addicting and the mole sauce is not like any other I have ever eaten. It is humble in its presentation, but an unexpected surprise when it hits your palate, like a punch in the face you do not expect — but in a really good way! My friend and I go back for seconds!
We had three desserts, but the Alfajore Cookie ($7/112 pesos) with cajeta — a thickened syrup made with condensed milk — is my favorite. The cookie crumbles in my mouth and is not too sweet. The salted caramel ice cream with smoked salt and cold orange blossom milk on the side is delightful. It is such an innovative pairing and creates a different taste in my mouth depending on how I’m eating it.
Mi Casa Supper Club isn’t Baja’s top pick on TripAdvisor for no reason. It is one of the most creative restaurants I’ve encountered in a really long time. Chef Bo’s Moroxican cuisine is unique, marrying her Moroccan culture with her Mexican home, and the result is intoxicating. It is definitely worth stopping for when you’re in Baja.
Mi Casa Supper Club
54 Estero Avenue
San Antonio del Mar
Playas De Tijuana, 22560 B.C.
Mexico
Tel: +526646093459
Best restaurant, in Baja California,great food, ambiance,friendly,and the owners great loving caring people, we are bless by having them here!!!
You guys really are blessed! Thank you for leaving me a comment.
Mi Casa is absolutely the best!
Thank you for taking me there with your descriptions! Its sounds so relaxing, homey and all those scrumptious dishes! Wow… Ive been one of those people that have whizzed right by it! But it is now on my list!
Best restaurant in Baja. The owners bend over backwards to make each meal more enjoyable than the last. Our favorite place to eat or snack!
I live here in Baja, south of Mi Casa, and have never eaten there. After reading this, it’s my next place to take visitors!!!
so glad to hear that! let me know what you think after you’ve visited!
Sounds wonderful, the fusion of those two cuisines sounds so intriguing I will definitely have to look them up next time I’m down there!
not to mention all the fundraisers they have for our community. ❤️