There are many restaurants that take the farm-to-table concept seriously with a total commitment to sourcing local ingredients and serving organic produce grown with sustainable practices. And then there are restaurants, like Jazamango Restaurante that are full-on culinary compounds – made to bring you back time and time again an electrifying gastronomic experience. It is a foodie’s paradise located in the small town of Todos Santos (an artsy fishing village about 45 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas).

Ranked one of the top restaurants in Todos Santos, it is a complete culinary experience created by the renowned Mexican chef, Javier Plascenia that touches all five senses of taste, smell, touch, sight and sound. The restaurant is an open-air concept it nestled in the middle of the garden where fresh vegetables are being grown that are destined to end up on your plate.

This is a prime destination for any sort of celebration or even a casual lunch where small plates abound. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and were one of the first to arrive. Our adventure started with complimentary sourdough and focaccia bread served with two dipping sauces, one of which is a Morita chile sauce (made with roasted tomatoes, onion, coriander, cilantro and salt/pepper). Next, we tried the Baja oysters, served with a classic mignonette sauce as well as a serranito ponzu sauce. The oysters were perfectly briny and delicious.

Next, we had the buttery chocolate clams. Each shell was loaded with clam meat along with melted butter, green chile, jerky beef, Guanajuato, soy and fermented bean paste. We indulged and soaked up all of the delicious sauce with their fresh bread. Next up was the beef tartare served with smoked butter, crispy bread, spicy mustard, toasted chiles and a cured egg yolk. It was savory, creamy and spectacular. We finished our meal with the lamb barbacoa tacos which were served on corn tortillas, guacamole, onion and cilantro.

I don’t remember the last time I’ve been to a restaurant that literally enticed all of my senses. The smell of the wood burning fire, the taste of the fresh seafood, the sight of the beautiful plates being delivered to our tables and those around us, the sound of wine glasses clanking as people toast each other and the amazing meal they were indulging and the touch of tearing apart the crusty fresh bread and dipping it into the sauces and broths of each of the dishes we had!

Jazamango was easily our best meal on this particular trip and I can’t wait to return. One thing to note is that there is also a Jazamango Cafe in Todos Santos, which can be confusing. It is affiliated with the original Jazamango, but located in downtown Todos Santos.