Manta — Restaurant in Baja California Sur

We go to fine dining experiences every other month, so we have a lot of point of reference. The atmosphere of the restaurant and sunset views were great. Most of the service was OK (not great for the price/fine dining) except for 2 issues: 1) There was a 20-30 min period further into the meal where we weren’t checked on after receiving a course. We had problems with that course and the fact that no one came to ask exacerbated the issue, and 2) a waiter poured still water from our table into my glass of sparkling water. After the mistake they told me not to worry and they’d be right back. By the end of our meal, they hadn’t returned. I didn’t have water for the rest of the meal and they wasted the last of the bottle my partner was drinking.

The food was not good. We enjoyed eating at the Ledge (other restaurant in the hotel) or taking an uber to go for tacos in the town more than Manta. We had dined earlier in the day at the Ledge and both dishes we ordered (queso fundido with octopus and ceviche) were superior to anything we had at Manta.

We ordered aguachile, sweet potato mole, cochinita pibil bao tacos, fried fish tacos, and Korean fried chicken.

First came the aguachile, which was good and had some unique ingredients but like I said, the ceviche at the ledge for half the price was better.

Second course was the cochinita pibil and fried fish tacos. This is where our meal started to go downhill.

Cochinita pibil bao tacos were bland and too simple. It’s the bao and the meat with some herb garnish. Im a bit embarrassed for the chef writing that.

Fried fish tacos were tasty (how could they not be!) but were not special at all. I’ve had similar at a fast food joint in the states.

Waiter asked us how we liked the course and we said it was a bit underwhelming. We did finish the plates though.

Third course was sweet potato mole and Korean fried chicken. This is where our meal ended in disappointment.

We didn’t finish these dishes because they weren’t good (to us), and no one checked on us for 20-30 mins.

The sweet potato mole had too much going on flavor wise and it was way too sweet overall as a dish. I love mole. This is something else. It’s a nut paste sauce with too much sugar. The potato needed to be balanced by another, saltier flavor.

The Korean fried chicken was ok for the first bite but the sauce coating the chicken was too reduced or too abundant alongside the chicken. It was hard to get down multiple bites for us. Also, the chicken got soggy in about 5 minutes. Anyone who know Korean fried chicken knows that this is a fail. Either too much sauce and/or the breading technique is non authentic. It should not get soggy that fast. Additionally, the rice it was served with was pretty seasoned (lots of salt). So there was nothing to balance out the overly flavorful sauce in the chicken.

After waiting 20 mins we expected someone to check on us. My partner finally flagged someone down and just asked for the check. The waiter was surprised and asked us what was wrong. We’d had a few bites of each plate but otherwise left it untouched. When we explained our issues with the food, they asked if they could get us anything else. We said no because we hadn’t enjoyed any of the plates we ordered and that we’d like the last two items removed from the check. The manager came over and without saying anything put their hands out with a questioning look. We explained we didn’t like the plates but the manager wasn’t interested in hearing what was actually wrong for us. They did remove the last course from our bill.

We’re going to be hungry later tonight but that was better than dragging out an unpleasant meal.

Bottom line: Spend your time and money somewhere else. I’m surprised we didn’t like our meal given other reviews. I felt compelled to write this to save others a bad experience. This is an emperors new clothes situation. Looking around the dining room, I couldn’t see or hear anyone really loving their food. But somehow that’s not the story the...

We dined at Manta in the Cape Hotel this week during our stay in Cabo. What an experience... a bit on the pricey side, but all things considered, worth every penny... read on!

The first thing you notice about Manta is the absence of color or anything on the walls... everything is painted black! As explained by our waiter Sergio, the idea is to allow patrons to focus exclusively on the beach and ocean before you, without distraction. You have to see it to get it... it works!

Segio was great all evening... attentive, but not intrusive. He did a wonderful job of guiding us through the menu based upon our discussions about what we like and/or don't like. Thank you for a wonderful evening, Sergio!

We started with a cocktail, Avocado Cocktail and the Mezcal Negroni. Both were delicious, but as dinner progressed, we decided to peruse the wine list, and settled on a beautiful Henri Lurton Chenin Blanc, Valle San Vicente, MX. The bottle was perfectly cellared and served at the right temperature. It was awesome...

The food parade began with some complimentary chips and salsas, the chips were made of blue corn and rice. The chips were super light and airy, and the salsas were sublime. Flavors were intense and deep. Very good start to the evening!

The courses to follow included the Tuna Sashimi. The fish was "melt in your mouth," and paired exquisitely well with the sides. Ensalada Melon followed, cantaloupe and honey dew melon, tiger's milk, yuzu and peppermint... WOW!

Next up was the Mushroom Ramen soup. The soup was easily one of the best bowls of ramen we have ever had. It was divine! Seemingly endless layers of flavor, every bite was savory. Octopus Anticucho followed, with pasilla peppers and chorizo mayo... the BOMB!

Unfortunately, we didn't save room for an entree, and ended the evening with the Sticky Rice/Mango Sorbet. A wonderful ending to an exquisite meal. Highly recommend Mantra is...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Manta in Cabo San Lucas, and the experience was truly exceptional, thanks to our outstanding waiter, Gerardo. From the moment we arrived, Gerardo's warm and attentive service set the tone for an unforgettable evening.

Gerardo's recommendations were spot-on, showcasing his deep knowledge of both the menu and the drink selection. The catch of the day a la talla was a culinary masterpiece, perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. The battered fish tacos were equally delightful, offering a burst of flavor with every bite.

Gerardo also introduced us to some incredible mezcal-based drinks that perfectly complemented our meal. His expertise in mixology was evident, and each drink was a delightful surprise.

A special highlight of the evening was Gerardo bringing out a super spicy salsa just for me. After seeing how much I enjoyed it, he went above and beyond by getting the restaurant to pack me a little bottle to take home. This personal touch truly stood out and made the experience even more memorable.

What truly made our evening special was Gerardo's thoughtful touch for our 10-year anniversary celebration. He capped off the night with complimentary champagne, making our special occasion even more memorable.

Gerardo's exceptional service and genuine hospitality made our dining experience at Manta truly extraordinary. We can't wait to return and enjoy his impeccable...