Carlitos - Pescadero, Baja - Top 10 in World?

What a lofty ass statement. 

To proclaim that Carlito's, a fish shack of a joint down a parched dirt road leading to nowhere in the wilds of Baja is one of THE TOP TEN bites of my life....well, sars to letcha - but its true. 

It's so hard for me to spill the beans here, but I feel like peeps are so scared of Mexico and the Baja as a whole, nobody will ever make it down that way, so I'm safe as a goose.  But, if you do...if you man up and  develop the cojones to head down to really good surf, amazing sun and light, immense freedom and just one of the coolest spots on earth - don't miss Carlito's. 

Yah - it's a shack - one with a real bathroom though.  Yah, it closes early - but not if you bring in special La Bufadora orange and raisin infused tequila to entice the owners to stay open late.  Yah, it's a secret and 100% off grid - but not to those who are deep foodies.  It's a gift from the Gods, this food, this vibe, this place.

I've never had sushi so fresh.  At first bite, it's like gravity changes.  I've never craved mango margaritas like these - fresh off the tree and loaded with mad alcohol.  The pup Kong makes my heart soar.  The music pulsing in the background transports, just like the sunset does.  I just want it all day, every day. 

Flight from LA to Cabo.  Car rental.  Drive to Pescadero.  Check into Rancho Pescadero.  Kill a mojito.  Spitfire down the way to Carlito's.  Stuff face and throw a billion back.  Sleep til ya can sleep no more.  Surf with my buddy Carlos at Cerritos.  Almost die time and time again.  Drink and drink some more.  Lunch at Carlito's again.  Drive to 'port.  Abandon car (they'll find it).  Flight home.  All in less than 48.  Perfection.

In 2 more weeks, I'm the F outta Jesery, back home and everything in the entire world is coming up mangos!!!

 

Next to Veracruzian Oysters, These Are Tops

South Edison and their amazing food...

The whole time I've been in Jersey, I've been dying to make it to the small coastal fishing village of Montauk for some seafood.  Just a simple batch of oysters and something wildly spirited to wash it down with.  Of course, the search began online for where to chow and the #1 place that had the exact type of meal that I love (proper local ingredients peppered throughout, good names for dishes, mixology style drinks) was South Edison. 

My tale of the meal I had there will be a post unto itself, but until I get a minute, let me just tease with an oyster.  They were so plump, so meaty, so fresh and spectacular, I had to order more, more, more.  I've not had anything even remotely this good in the oyster fam since my backroad Mexico days a few years back. 

It's a trip worth taking, even if just for this one bite.  But, trust me, at this restaurant, the whole menu must be devoured to do it up right.