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"A seven-year-old, charmingly rustic, all-outdoor restaurant in the Valle de Guadalupe, Malva Cocina de Baja California is described as one of the region’s essential dining destinations. I emphasize its commitment to local products — Alcocer raises lambs on the property — which informs signature dishes like braised lamb and a garden-like presentation that pairs stewed meat with potato, carrots, chickpea hummus, and a “soil” made from beans, mushrooms, and potato skin. The restaurant’s cuisine relies on ingredients from the Baja region, including Ensenada black cod, Baja abalone, and oysters, and its relaxed, rustic format contrasts with the more formal dining Alcocer is offering in Oceanside." - Candice Woo