Matthew K.
Yelp
Palmilla was an excellent venue for a small company staff dinner this week and a welcome departure from the corporate-y likes of Capital Grille and such. Upon entering, you'll realize that you've made a quick journey from Lido Isle to Cabo San Lucas. Though I was fortunate on a scouting mission down the street to acquire a vacated spot, you'll most likely be pulling in for valet at night here.
Staff is present, jovial, and helpful. Our party of over a dozen was well cared for. Impressively, food arrived in rapid succession, without any hiccups or mishaps.
FROZEN FRUIT MARGARITA ($14.25) - Ordered blended and with mango, this was one spectacle of a concoction, the talk of the table throughout the evening. A slush seemingly the size of cotton candy towered over the edge of its much too small cocktail glass much like the way one feels standing in an infinity pool. I was granted a spoon (a set of them, in fact) by the server but actually wound up not making much of a dent in this XXXL cocktail due to its sheer volume.
ENSALADA DE CUERDA ($19.50) - Ordered with short rib, this was essentially braised short rib tossed with some red onion, cherry tomato, jalapeño, and traces of cabbage. I was actually hoping for a little more roughage given that this was in under the Ensaladas y Sopa section, though the meat portion and overall size was commendable. Still, this might be a rare instance where less meat might have actually been appreciated for balance sake. This is less of a 'greens' dish and perhaps more so an option for a protein-forward meal for a small appetite. The formidable mound of meat arrives with three tortillas fried up to a pleasing texture reminiscent of wonton crisps.
PRAWNS DIABLO ($45.00) - Further proof that Palmilla does not shortchange with portions (something restaurants with a similar level of refinement around this area might get away with), this plate featured five large tail-on prawns flanked by a moderate portion of rice and refried beans. The three main ingredients themselves were agreeable. What was perhaps most impressive was the sheer heat level of the diablo sauce. This was no 'gringo' level spicy - in my estimation, it registered at about an 8.5-9 on the ' legit Mexican' heat scale.''
CHURROS (on the house as a gift to our company's anniversary) - Sizable churros nicely fried and sugared, with one per person good enough. This arrived with a trio of sauces.
Overall, with ambience that evokes the finest of Baja Sur, staff that is diligent, friendly, and hospitable, and food that scores well both on portions and heat level, Palmilla feels like an authentic gem in an area where there's no shortage of watered down experiences.