El Espontaneo Restaurant

It was lovely summer morning as I walked through the quaint cobblestone streets of San Jose’ del Cabo Art District.  The birds were chirping and the shop keepers were just opening their doors.  I had reservations for dinner that evening at El Espontaneo (Spontaneous Cuisine) which is located in the courtyard of the El Encanto Suites and Spa. I was hoping to have a chat with Chef Juan Eumir before dinner and I found him prepping in the open air kitchen. He was happy to talk with me and very generous with his time. He is quite an accomplished person having graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale where he won Chef of the Year recognition.  He worked for 14 years as a private dining chef and his clients are businessmen and celebrities such as George Clooney, Cindy Crawford and Leonardo Dicaprio.  He worked at El Dorado Golf and Beach Club’s private restaurant from 2008 to present. He also has a BA in International Business and a Masters in Marketing. His concept is to prepare the food without a set recipe, using what is fresh in the market or plucked from his garden that day.

After spending time with Chef Eumir in the morning, I was excited to introduce my friends to him and to try his food.  We  arrived at 7:00 starting at the palapa bar for drinks.  Chef Eumir and his lovely wife, Denise, were there to welcome us.  The courtyard is beautiful with flowers and fountains and a small chapel.  It would be the perfect setting for a wedding.

The tapas menu is served from 12 noon until 5:00 pm.  The dinner menu consists of many small dishes and appetizers to choose from as well as full course meals.  We had a very nice red wine blend from Guadalupe Valley.  Chef Juan told me that  in October they will have their own label from the Guadalupe Valley – the white will be a Viognier and the red a blend.  I ordered a delicious red snapper ceviche that was served with avocado and red pepper on a tostada.  I also had spanakopita and it was just gorgeous.  My friend had a “standing” Cesaer salad which was wrapped in Prociutto and he was very impressed.  Other dishes included grilled Parrot Fish, cheese soup, creamed corn (an Aztec version), shrimp tacos gobernador, and for dessert, Tres Leches.  The dishes had a perfect balance of flavors and contrasts in textures.  We all agreed that Chef Eumir is really talented and that El Espontaneo is a great addition to the San Jose’ Art District’s restaurant scene.

Chef Eumir plans to do cooking classes beginning in October and to open a deli on site with his homemade products.  Breakfast is also in the works beginning in October.  We have a lot to look forward to with his spontaneous style and his vast knowledge of the art of cooking.

Hours:  12 noon to 10:00 pm Tuesday thru Saturday

Prices:  $5 to $45 USD

Randy Leach , was playing jazz guitar that evening along with bassist, Marco Tulio.  Randy and Marco are a jazz and rock and roll duo and have been playing together for 14 years.  Randy is probably best known in Los Cabos for the quartet, Skeleton Key, comprised of Randy on guitar and vocals, Mark Walters on guitar and vocals, Tito Rodrigues on bass and Pepe Sosa on drums.  They play jam band classics from the Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, Santana and others from that era.  Randy also plays with Cambio de Corazon, a Latin jazz quartet playing fusion and Latin jazz with a rock and roll edge.  They play from Todos Santos to Los Barriles to Los Cabos at Hotel California, Rock and Brew, Cerritos Beach, Shooters, etc.

Contact Randy Leach for the perfect music for any occasion:  Email:  r55leach@gmail.com      Phone:  +521 (624) 164 8997

El Encanto Suites and Spa is a small hacienda style hotel with a small chapel in the heart of the San Jose’ Art District.  It is the perfect getaway to explore the quaint Art District when you are in Los Cabos.  It is especially fun on Thursday nights when the art galleries stay open late and there is are many festivities going on in town.