Taco or Socca? Esa es la question!

Recently having moved to San Jose Del Cabo in the Baja Peninsula, Mexico, I’ve discovered many similarities from my years living in the French Riviera in Nice, France. Both being situated on a southern coast and a sea, they share mesmerizing palm tree-filled Azur-views, scented tanning oils with coconut notes and the sound of waves crashing on the surf.

Regardless, I am a Midwest Chicago gal at heart, so let’s get down to the meat and potatoes of the matter, i.e., Don Julio-filled margaritas vs. rose all day and chickpea Socca vs. fish tacos!

I have many magnifique memories of afternoons spent in Old Nice, sitting at a picnic table and sipping rose while waiting for my freshly made Socca to come out of the oven. And, I always giggled as I left the French a bit mystified as to why I would ask for lemon with my order (I do realize it’s not always in one’s best interest to make a suggestion to a Frenchman’s recipe, but do try it with lemon- SO good!). That being said, give me a freshly homemade corn tortilla taco filled with, well anything, a guacamole filled molcajete and a spicy jalapeño margarita rimmed with Tajin and you’ll probably hear me excitedly scream out “ole”! I call this on-going dilemma of which country has the best gastronomic delights “a champagne problem”. MmMumm…that’s another blog…

Here’s the short list of some of my personal favs from both-

San Jose del Cabo (BCS) and Nice (FR):

FAV MARGARITA/ROSE-ALL-DAY

BCS- Los Tres Gallos or Seven Seas (both for spicy!)

FR- Minuty, Whispering Angel or Miraval

FAV TACOS/SOCCA

BCS- Lateral Crudo & Asado

FR- Chez Rene

FAV BEACHES

BCS- Playa Palmilla or anywhere along the East Cape

FR- Le Galet or Plage Mala

FAV RESTAURANTS

BCS- Flora Farms, Seven Seas, Los Tres Gallos

FR- Le Bistrot d’Antoine, La Petite Maison and La Provence- a cozy neighborhood cafe in St. Roman de Bellet (Ooo La la-factor for the gooey calorie-filled Camembert fromage et frites! I.e. cheese fries!)

FAV DAY TRIPS

BCS- Todos Santos, East Cape

FR- St. Tropez, St. Paul de Vence and Luberon (for lavender)

FAV MUSIC VENUE

BCS- Jazz on the Rocks, La Lupita

FR- Juan les Pins Jazz fest

FAV GUILTY PLEASURE

BCS- Flora Farms-brunch every Sunday, all…day

FR- An entire play day under le soleil- at one of the numerous beach clubs