Holy Guacamole! Los Cabos—Bangkok’s First Baja California-Mexican Grill—Spices Up Sukhumvit!

[Nicholas Snow]

By Nicholas Snow

I was born in Tucson, Arizona, and spent my young years visiting and sometimes living with my grandparents in Yuma—then I spent most the next 20 years in Southern California in the other City of Angels, Los Angeles, so I know my Mexican food! The good news for you and me, and perhaps the bad news for my workout routine, is that some of the world’s best California-Mexican-style food can is now available right here in Bangkok, less than at two-minute walk from the city’s busiest mass transit hubs, the junction of the BTS Asoke Skytrain station and the MRT Sukhumvit subway station.


Okay, the truth is that Mexican food is very healthy, but I have no self-discipline, especially when coming face to face with Guacamole! The most important info you should know right away is that Los Cabos has a free Mexican buffet during happy hour every Friday, and every year expect a fantastic Cinco de Mayo celebration (that’s May 5th or the non-Spanish speakers!).


To quote one recent story (and I have to agree!), “Los Cabos is set to transport the palates of Bangkok’s table travellers with a pure Baja California lunch or dinner seven days a week –the California Mexican Grill for inventively fun flavours that ring true and clean, a very affordable menu served in a whimsical atmosphere right on Sukhumvit 14.”


One thing you won’t find at most Mexican food restaurants in California you will find at Los Cabos—the mouth-watering signature smoked ribs of Chef Robb Vaughn, who has established his culinary reputation at both Tequila Reef and the Great American Rib Company in Bangkok, and at the 25 other restaurants he has opened.


“With restaurateur Howard Cummins of Beverly Hills and San Francisco fame, the duo ensures that your food comes complimented by drinks. And how! No other food-spot in Bangkok offers the array of inventive cocktails or the astonishingly extensive selection of the world’s best rums and tequilas you will find at Los Cabos.”


I suggest going with a large group so you can order a mix of the varied appetizers including of course chips and Guacamole (made with imported Hass avocados), Grilled Quesadilla, Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, Spicy Beef or Chicken Nachos (made with Mexican beans, Jalapenos, sour cream and white cheddar cheese), Baked Oysters los Cabos (with spinach Chipotle salsa and garlic parmesan glaze), Crispy and Cool Mini Tacos (with cool chicken, avocado, grapefruit or chilled shrimps and salsa) and your far from basic Corn Chips with Three Salsas (Salsa Fresca, Green Tomtillo Salsa, Roasted Tomato, Smoked Jalapeno Salsa). I don’t surf but I had the “Starving Surfer Combo” but I think next time I will have the Fajitas!


Here’s a sampling of their menu items (prices in Thai Baht/April 2010):


Mexican Classics


All Classics Served with

Mexican Rice & Beans

Two Soft or Crispy Tacos

Your choice of soft flour or crispy corn tortillas and choice of:
Chicken ~ 295
Baja Crispy Fish ~ 295
Steak ~ 325
Carnitas Pork ~ 295

Two Enchiladas

Filled soft tortillas covered with a red chili sauce.
White Cheddar ~ 295
Chicken ~ 295
Steak ~ 325
Carnitas Pork ~ 295
Shrimp & Spinich Enchiladas ~ 350
with Green Tomatillo Salsa & cheese.

Big As Your Face Burritos

A huge gourmet burrito with your choice of filling:
Chicken ~ 295
Steak ~ 325
Carnitas Pork ~ 295

California Poblano Chili Relleno ~ 325

Roasted fresh pepper, stuffed and fried to perfection.

Two Tamales

Steam-cooked corn dough stuffed with chillies, cheese and your choice of filling:
Chicken ~ 295
Steak ~ 325

Fajitas


Los Cabos Fajitas ~ 395

Our Fajitas come on a sizzling iron skillet with onions and peppers. Served with sides of Mexican beans, white cheddar cheese, salsa, sour cream, and warm flour tortillas.
Choice of:
Crispy Pork Carnitas
Mesquite Grilled Steak
Sizzling Shrimp
Mesquite Grilled Chicken

Combinations


All Combinations Served with

Mexican Rice & Beans

Los Cabos Combo ~ 295

Steak Taco and Chicken Enchilada

Los Lobos Combo ~ 375

Steak Taco, Chicken Enchilada and Chicken Tamale

Blue Marlin Combo ~ 375

Crispy Chicken Taco, Cheese Enchilada, and Beef Tamale

Starving Surfer Combo ~ 375

Chicken Taco, Chili Relleno, and Beef Enchilada

Los Cabos Specials


All specials served with your choice of two sides: Grilled Asparagus, Spicy Fries, Los Cabos Potato Salad, Mexican Beans, Roasted Baby Potatoes, Mexican Rice


Mesquite Wood Smoked Pork Ribs

Robb’s ribs back from a Mexican vacation.
Served with a smoked jalapeno bar-b-que sauce.
Half Rack ~ 325
Full Rack ~ 550

Margarita Marinated Chicken ~ 295

Served with holy-mole sauce on the side.

Seared Phuket Yellow Fin Tuna ~ 550

With avocado and pickled red onion.

Grilled Monster River Prawns ~ 495

Served with Margarita butter.

Grilled Filet Mignon ~ 595

300 Grams, Served with Roasted Tomato Smoked Jalapeno Salsa.

Prime Australian Beef Short Ribs ~ 495

Braised with Corona beer and mexican spices.

Burgers & Wraps


All burgers and wraps are served with

spicy fries, tomato, onion and dill pickle.

Hamburger ~ 195

A 180gr. patty of ground beef served on our sesame bun.

Cheeseburger ~ 215

With white cheddar cheese.

Cheese Bacon Burger ~ 235


Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap ~ 195

Cool chicken caesar salad wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.


Shrimp Salad Wrap ~ 250


LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

Los Cabos is excellently poised close to the Asoke Station – take your car, a taxi, the Subway or the Skytrain to Soi 14. Enter the gates and find yourself in a classic Thai house built in the early 1900’s, and enjoy your meals amidst hundred-year-old trees. But for the recently-added patio, the house looks exactly the same as when it was skilfully crafted from timber by local artisans for the Kannasut clan, direct descendants of the founder of Bangkok, King Taksin Maharaj. This rare architectural gem was bought by Ambassador Entrée of France around 1950, when he was accorded the high honor of Governor General by His Majesty King Rama VII.


Your experience on the patio or the upstairs salon of Los Cabos is orchestrated by a team of professional, friendly staff bringing you fresh food and cocktails in signature seating throughout the day. The refreshing simplicity of fresh and organic farm and sea products is enhanced by modern cooking techniques to transport you with the gastronomic elegance of Mexico and Baja California. Robb has designed a bar menu where the tequila and rum list features the finest of the Caribbean – the first of its kind in Bangkok.


For more information, visit http://www.LosCabosBangkok.com