Charles C.
Yelp
Georgina is a new restaurant [open about one year] in the Zona Rio of Tijuana. It is one of the very few restaurants in Tijuana that close between lunch and dinner---from 2:00 p.m. to 5: 00 p.m. Every other establishment in Tijuana is open continuously from 12 noon to 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m., which makes sense, since many people in Mexico have the "main" meal of the day around 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m., which is not possible at Georgina.
That being said, I made reservations for Georgina via OpenTableMexico for last night at 5:00 p.m. Even though it was my first visit to the restaurant, I presumed I would know somebody at the restaurant, as I have been dining out for years in México, and just as in the United States, it is common for waiters to jump from restaurant to restaurant.
As I turned my car from the busy Paseo de los Heroes onto the quieter Calle Antonio Caso, looking for the restaurant at #2020, I realized it was only 4:45 p.m., so I was uncertain if the valet attendant would yet be posted out front to take my car. I slowed down in front of the restaurant and saw a waiter in front of the building and I waved at him. I then turned my car into a small driveway adjacent to the restaurant. I inquired of the waiter about a valet and suddenly a young man was running towards me wearing a "Batman" black tee-shirt who apologized that he had just arrived and had not yet had time to don his uniform. Nonetheless, he took my car [the restaurant confirmed he was indeed the valet!] and the waiter welcomed me inside with a flourish, despite the fact the dining room had not yet officially opened.
As expected, the waiter who initially greeted me and led me inside the restaurant stated "'I know you---I'm Edgar. I used to work at Caesar's". It seemed everyone at Georgina had previously worked at Caesar's, including Armando and Orlando Oliveras, the server who took care of me on the evening of my visit.
The décor at Georgina is more elegant than I had expected. There are rows of velvet banquettes, satin throw pillows, modern chairs, mirrored columns, candlelight and hammered copper bowls affixed to the wall into a kind of modern sculpture. There is a definite 70's vibe that is authentic and pleasing.
Before my visit to Georgina, the wine list that I was able to view online was greatly abbreviated, uninteresting and disappointing. Therefore, it was with great surprise and pleasure that I learned the wine list is actually more extensive and interesting than I had expected based on my pre-visit online research, in particular with regard to the reds "vinos tintos". I have noted people in Mexico drink far more red wine than they do white wine, so the emphasis on red wine at Georgina was understandable. With my dinner, I selected "Unico", a Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot blend from the nearby Valle de Guadalupe. It was expertly decanted at the table by Orlando, and not once did my glass go dry throughout the meal.
To begin the meal, a woman will visit the table holding a wicker basket. With a smile and a brief explanation, she places a small square of grilled bread onto a ceramic plate, accompanied by a dollop of a thick pesto-parmesano sauce. It was delicious. Georgina was featuring black truffles on the evening of my visit, and the "black diamonds" were ceremoniously brought out of the kitchen for a personal viewing. However, I passed on these little pleasures. Rather, from the menu, I ordered a beautifully-plated salmon crudo and short ribs with asparagus Hollandaise.
After dinner, in place of dessert, I asked Orlando to concoct at the table a Carajillo "Divorciado", where each ingredient is separately served. Like conducting a chemistry experiment, Orlando first places the ice in the wine glass. Next, he pours the hot espresso over the ice. Thereafter, Licor 43 from Spain is added to the mix like the golden nectar that it is. Finally, orange peels are delicately floated on top. The tableside spectacle creates quite a show that is both fun to experience and refreshing to drink.
When you are ready to leave the restaurant, there will be hand shakes and "gracias" from the staff members while the front door is politely opened for you. Your car will be waiting in front, engine running and door opened, with the valet smiling and ready to hand you your keys before you drive out into the dark Tijuana night.