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Dining in La Paz – International Cuisine at Azul Marino
Taking a good thing and making it better.
Many visitors to CostaBaja Resort & Marina have become familiar with the fine dining available marina-side at any of the four restaurants. Last year one of the popular French/Italian restaurants seamlessly changed hands and became the Azul Marino.
At first it was hard to tell there had been a change, the cheerful and attentive staff remained the same. But there were new tablecloths, new faces and most importantly, tantalizing new items on the menu.
Azul Marino has 3 owners and is the culmination of a family dream. Since all three enjoy cooking and entertaining, a restaurant in La Paz was destine to evolve. The proprietors are two sisters, Cristina and Margarita Kiewek, who were born and raised in Mexico City and Dr. Vicente Gracia who was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain.
Vicente is a researcher in CIBNOR, an important biology research facility here in La Paz. You will find Vincent at the restaurant in the evenings as the host on the outdoor patio, overlooking the Marina. He helps to keep things running smoothly and that all the guests are enjoying themselves.
Margarita, who is also a biologist, came to do her post graduate studies at CIBNOR where she met Vicente, fell in love and got married. She is about to finish her doctorate degree, but plans to be a restaurateur. She enjoys the kitchen and filleting a fish as much as cataloging its Latin name. I have often found Margarita supervising the prep work or calculating how many heads of lettuce to order, but she too enjoys the face to face hospitality that makes Azul Marino guests feel right at home.
Cristina is a professional chef, who studied in Mexico City at a culinary university. She then moved to the United States, where she worked in several well renown restaurants. She lived in the US for 9 years and wanted to move back to Mexico, so the opportunity came and this is how Azul Marino is born. On any evening you can find Cristina busily moving about the open kitchen, where guests can witness their culinary delights being created. Cristina has worked in French, International, Organic, Mexican, etc. restaurants. She returned to La Paz with this opportunity to partner with her sister and her husband and they decided to make Azul Marino an International Cuisine. With unique creations and standards on the menu a unique twist is to and to create weekly specials so customers can enjoy new delights with each visit.
Cristina on the cover of a travel magazine.
Every Thursday the specials menu is changed. It is very diverse from Vietnamese Spring rolls to Tortilla Soup or Rack of Lamb. Very often diner guest will be treated to a fabulous postre (desert) treat from the pastry kitchen. As unique as the entres, the attention to the experience of the customer provides all with a feeling of complete satisfaction.
Fishermen are welcome to bring their catch to be custom prepared at Azul Marino. Bring in your fish and they will cook it according to the fish brought in and according to the customer palate. They prepared fish several ways, from sashimi, sushi, seared and with different garnishes like rice-noodles, cous-cous, rice, vegetables. Well, depends on what the client wants.
Azul Marino is located on the east side of Pueblo Marinero at CostaBaja Marina and is open Thursday through Tuesday. Open for lunch and diner through 11PM, the restaurant offers seating indoors or out and a lovely view of the marina. They offer fine wines, beer and full bar service. And can accommodate large groups and private parties on reservations.
Cristina, Margarita, Vincente and the wonderful staff of the Azul Marino look forward to serving you soon.
Contact Information
Azul Marino Restaurante
Kilometre 7.5 Carretera a Pichilingue
Marina Costa Baja
La Paz, Baja California Sur, C.P. 22519 Mexico
Tel: 011-52-612-106-7009