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APOSTOLIS

Apostolis is one of the newest gastronomic treasures in San José del Cabo. Tucked behind the Mega plaza, a romantic, open patio with wine bottles dangling from the ceiling and breezy white curtains welcomes you as you step inside.

The Greek-born chef—whose name is, in fact, Apostolis—greets each diner warmly, in English and Spanish, after one of the waiters sates you with the house version of bread and butter: a plate of creamy hummus accompanied by a tray of freshly-baked artisanal bread. Although you can occasionally hear the shouts from the soccer field across the street, you would swear you’re perched on the ocean as you delve into the expansive, Mediterranean-style menu. Order a plate of genuine tzaziki (a yogurt-based sauce, packed with fresh herbs and served with pita) to start. Or try the cream of lobster soup, a surprisingly delicate cream broth that tastes of butter, brine, and succulent hunks of sweet white lobster. For dinner, try the beef fillet in brown butter or the incredible King Crab legs. Four enormous legs are served doused in a spicy butter sauce, and a delectable twirl of Alfredo-coated pasta in the dish’s center. Lamb fans will delight in the marinated lamb shish kebab, another house specialty, or sizzling shrimp (Adriatic OR Aegean sea style). A full bar is at your disposal and the staff mixes a great cocktail. Finally, for dessert, we like the flan, although the baklava (a Mediterranean dessert with flaky honey-drenched phyllo dough, nuts and cinnamon) is a more atmospheric choice. The chef or staff can also recommend a lovely dessert wine, if you are so inclined.

Open Tuesday through Sunday, from 12 pm to 10 pm daily, Apostolis is in the Fonatur zone, behind the Mega plaza and across from the soccer field on Calle Punta Colorada. Call 624.172.6442 for reservations or email apostolis@live.com.mx for more information. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

APPLE LIFESTYLE STORE

Those of us who are computer geeks or graphics fiends may have switched to Mac years ago, but the Apple brand is still a relatively new phenomenon in Mexico. Still, Mexicans are ready and willing to adapt—and a new “lifestyle” store has opened on the third floor of Puerto Paraiso mall in downtown Cabo, where newbies and geeks alike can browse the latest hard drive technology, Apple accessories, iPod and of course, the latest Apple computers. The store, though tiny, boasts Apple’s signature minimalist look—and don’t let its small size fool you. The helpful salespeople can order missing parts, provide technical support, service your Mac products, and repair iPods and iPhones, in addition to hocking the latest Apple goods. For more information, email info@lifestylebyapple.com or call 624.144.3661 or 624.144.3660.

ARRIBA TEQUILA BAR

Given that tequila is Mexico’s national beverage, it makes sense that some of the best new hotspots, like Arriba Tequila Bar, are shining a spotlight on it as a fine liquor. Arriba (which literally means upstairs in Spanish) is right above Las Quesadillas restaurant, the restaurant that sits on the corner across from Aramburo Plaza and feeds many a hungry gringo as they cross Lazaro Cardenas street and make their way over towards Marina Boulevard. Quesadillas’ owners decided to use the ample upstairs space to create a whole different atmosphere—no equipale chairs here. Instead, enjoy ambient lighting and professional entertainment, not to mention over 80 tequilas served up by friendly bar staff. And lest we forget, every order is served with a shot of tequila—on the house. Enjoy dance lessons (from samba to the tango) nightly, along with live music. The bar is open nightly from 6 pm, except Sundays. Email arriba.tequila@hotmail.com or call 624.143.6700 extension 115 for more information.

BRP

Located in the Costa Azul plaza on the highway in San Jose across from Cabo Surf, BRP is the new destination for those locals and visitors who love their toys. And we’re not talking about Legos, either. BRP carries Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Rotax carts and engines, Can-AmTM ATVs, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines and much, much more. Find the best recreational toys on the market, right in your backyard. Visit www.brploscabos.com, email info@brploscabos.com or call 624.172.6495 for more information.

CABO ESCAPE

There’s a new tour company in town called Cabo Escape, headquartered at the dock right in front of Tesoro Hotel in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Deli lunch is served on snorkel/kayak/sunbathing tours. Premium ticket holders can wakeboard and ride the tubes, too, on the personal ski boat.

A sunset cruise on a 200 person catamaran features light tunes spun by a DJ as the cruise passes by the famous Arch, along with fresh guacamole, dinner and a bar. Email relpub@caboescapetours.com, visit www.caboescapetours.com or call 624.154.2187 for more information.

CABO SUBMARINE

For a superior, hands-on look at the teeming sea life right beneath the sea’s surface, take a spin in the new Cabo Submarine, a 60 foot long, semi-submersible yellow submarine. The enormous, sturdy, 49 person capacity vessel is not your average submarine. Since the sub submerges only partially, you can retreat to the upper deck and catch some fresh air during the tour. And with 34 seats below deck, a large viewing port, and air conditioning, Cabo Submarine is an extraordinary way to view some of the 850 species that inhabit the waters directly off Los Cabos. Knowledgeable tour guides, flat screen TVs and a boatwide audio system will make you feel like you’re in a Jacques Cousteau film. This is one instance when you don’t want to forget your camera.

During the 55 minute tour, which departs from the Cabo San Lucas Marina, you’ll have the opportunity to feed fish at Pelican Rock, get up close to the Arch and Lover’s Beach, and spot diverse sea life like the King Angelfish, bright yellow Sergeant Major fish, Parrot fish, Puffer fish, Grouper, urchins and sea turtles—not to mention enjoy a close encounter with the rowdy sea lion colony that hangs out around the rock formations at Land’s End. Tours depart daily from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, every hour, and private bookings are available. Go to www.cabosubmarine.com for more information. You can also visit either their Cabo Expeditions office or the Cabo Submarine office, both located in the Hotel Tesoro complex. Make reservations ahead of time by calling 624.143.2700, 624.143.8718 or email reservations@cabosubmarine.com.

CASA SHALOM

Casa Shalom is a breath of fresh air on Lazaro Cardenas, Cabo’s main street. With contrasting navy floral graphics on white paint, a plethora of plants, and glass beads spelling out Hebrew characters and swirls of color, the restaurant-café’s twinkling lights, candles, and throw pillows turn this brand new Mediterranean-Israeli restaurant into a gastronomic oasis. Enjoy top-notch hummus and falafel with Israeli-style pita bread, which is baked fresh in the oven that owner Smadar Arazi had built expressly for that purpose. Or lounge on the benches, enjoying a margarita and the house specialty cooked up by chef Eldad Arazi, called shak shuka—two eggs poached in a simmering tomato sauce, one of Israel’s signature breakfast dishes. The joint doubles as an internet café and a hangout for the owner’s motley, international group of friends. What’s more, they’re offering belly dancing classes, Kabala lessons and free WiFi. Open daily from 10 am to 11 pm except Saturdays, directly across from the mall in downtown Cabo. Call 624.144.4581 or email semiarazi@hotmail.com for more information.

EL SQUID ROE 3RD FLOOR

Cabo’s infamous late-night party bar, the towering El Squid Roe, just got bigger and better. But fear not—this fall and winter’s big money facelift hasn’t altered Squid’s anything-goes atmosphere. If anything, it’s only guaranteed that the party will keep on going, just more high octane than ever.

El Squid Roe, long the favorite destination of both locals and tourists looking for an unforgettable, alcohol-infused late night, recently got two whole new floors. Yes, that’s right—El Squid Roe now has four stories of people-watching, dancing, hip-shaking action. But don’t get ahead of yourself just yet: only A-listers, loyal customers and the most beautiful faces in the Baja will get to ride the brand-new, open freight elevator all the way to the top story, where panoramic views of Land’s End and downtown Cabo are rivaled only by the view downstairs, onto the Squid’s legendary dance floor.

The new third floor, which, like the second floor, wraps around the establishment, will even boast drinks rails allowing a bird’s eye view of the madness below. Only the elevator will bring Squid’s favorite guests to the new level. And the fourth floor lounge area, at the tippy top, will have its own bar and seating, too.

While there are cosmetic changes galore, too—like brand new, funky tiled restrooms, new flooring and wicked new furniture—Squid’s owners assure us that the character of even the most expensive details is still Squid-approved. (The furniture, a stark contrast to the uber-modern “lounge” style that’s become a cliché at other clubs, has been tested to ensure that even the spikiest women’s heels won’t damage it when the girls get up on the new pieces to dance—which they do, and will.)

The radical renovation, not coincidentally, was slated to wrap up in a very important year. 2009 marks El Squid Roe’s 20th anniversary, and the bar and restaurant’s partners are stopping at nothing to make 20 the most memorable year yet. That’s. For the first time ever in the 20 year history as Cabo’s landmark bar and restaurant, El Squid Roe will be closed to the public this October 24th. Because for the first year in its history, it will host the most outrageous private event on the Los Cabos club calendar: the 11th Annual Cabo Pimp N‘ Ho Costume Ball (see www.pimpnhomexico.com).

Meanwhile, however, the rest of us get to enjoy a revamped, much bigger and better version of our favorite come-as-you-are bar, with a new DJ booth (with sliding glass panes, overlooking the entire club) and a new, rotating cage for the more adventurous among us. The party still goes all day every day, from 12 pm to 4 am (5am on weekends), and dinner at the famous (and very good) Billy Kitchen is served until 11 pm daily. To coin a phrase, at El Squid Roe, it’s still all about mayhem with style—now, who wants to ride that elevator?

Visit www.elsquidroe.com for more details about the storied establishment and read the Billy Kitchen menu, or call 624.143.0655 or 624.143.1269. Credit cards accepted.

LA MONA PIZZERIA & CANTINA

On the highway, in the plaza across from Cabo Surf Hotel—which fronts one of San Jose’s best-known surf breaks—is a brand new pizzeria, La Mona Pizzeria & Cantina. With a full bar, flat screen TVs showing the best sports games, and a great outdoor terrace, La Mona is the place to go after a day of exhilarating surf lessons. They cook their superb New York style pizzas in a wood-fired brick oven, and the result is well worth it: chewy crust, a tangy sauce and imported cheese make each bite memorable. (Try the African pie, with strips of oven-roasted red and yellow peppers and meaty slices of portabello mushrooms—it’s delicious.) Light eaters and health nuts will love La Mona’s creative salad toppings and homemade dressings. At night, La Mona doubles as a live music venue and night owl haunt—but keeps serving pizza, all the way until 1 am. Their hours are Sunday-Wednesday, 12 pm to 12 am (the bar stays open until 1 am). Thursday-Saturday, the kitchen stays open until 1 am and the bar keeps hopping until 3 am. Email lamonapizza@yahoo.com or call 624.172.6626 for reservations (or to order takeout).

LOTTUS

Lottus is a great, funky new boutique geared towards Mexican fashionistas and the young-at-heart, with all manner of trendy club and casual wear, accessories and shoes. In other words, a place for the tragically hip to find all the latest trends and some unique items that were previously unavailable in Los Cabos. Lottus’ owners Kandinsky Borja and Mirna Maravilla hail from Tijuana. in the mood for change, and yearning for the reprieve of Cabo’s endless summer, they relocated their shop to our neck of the woods just this January. Already, they’ve garnered a loyal local following. Stop in, welcome them to the neighborhood, and buy that killer outfit you’ve been craving. Call 044-624-135-4200, email lottusstore@gmail.com or visit www.myspace.com/lottuscabo. The shop is in the great new plaza, Plaza Del Cabo, on the highway in San Jose that’s also home to Wings Army and Botanicus. You can grab some wings and mingle with hip Mexican locals after you shop.

LUXURY AVENUE MALL

The Cabo San Lucas marina’s so-called Golden Zone is now dominated by Luxury Avenue Mall, a mecca of duty free, high end shopping that fronts the marina and opens into the Puerto Paraiso mall. With its chic, modern white tiled columns and glassed-in countertops and boutique storefronts, Luxury Avenue (much like the one in Cancun) gathers all the best international brands under one towering roof. Over 60,000 square feet of shopping includes boutiques and brands like Carolina Herrera, Cartier, Chopard, Coach, Fendi, Hermés, Montblanc, Paul & Shark, Rossano Ferreti, Salvatore Ferragamo, Swarovski, Tous, Ultrafemme, Ultrajewels and Vilebrequin, all in one place: a shopper’s dream. They’re even offering personal shopping services, and the well-trained staff is supported by watchful security. Luxury Avenue’s glittering black fountain, curving staircase and enormous white façade are now visible from every corner of the San Lucas marina. The product of Grupo Ultrafemme, Luxury Avenue is a boon to the San Lucas downtown, and a must-see destination along our world-class marina. The mall is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Email contact@luxuryavenue.com, call 624.163.4280, 624.172.0383 or visit www.luxuryavenue.com to find out more.

MANDALA FOOD & WINE CLUB

Mandala is the latest in a series of new places to party in Cabo that strive to be something other than a local watering hole. Walking into the enormous, slickly-lit, uber-modern lounge ambience of Mandala, with its velvet rope entrance and its second-floor Sky Mandala lounge (dotted with real palm trees, sand, and a glowing dance floor), is like entering a new world. Unlike some well-seasoned Cabo bars, no beachwear is allowed inside of the chic Mandala, where bottle service is the norm and waiters shoo wannabes from pre-reserved tables. Mandala can house 1500 people, half downstairs and half upstairs. The first floor club features flat screens and a video DJ, whereas the second floor boasts a beachy feel with cabanas and a far-reaching view. The Mandala is right next door to the legendary El Squid Roe, making bar-hopping even easier. Make sure to try the sushi downstairs, too. Open daily from 7 pm to 4 am. Make reservations by calling 624.132.9681 or Nextel 72*622184*1. Club phone number is 624.143.2054. Credit cards accepted. Visit www.digitalmedios.net/demo/mandala or myspace.com/mandalaclub, or email marketingmandala@hotmail.com for more information.

NEW LOCATION: SEÑOR SWEETS BISTRO

As Puerto Paraiso mall began extensive renovations to accommodate the new Luxury Avenue Mall, some of your favorite go-to restaurants turned a new leaf, too. Sr. Sweets, a decadent place to eat breakfast or indulge in homemade pastries, reopened with a beautiful marina-front outdoor patio at the Puerto Paraiso mall in Cabo San Lucas, two storefronts from Ruth’s Chris and next door to Harley Davidson. Enjoy delectable breakfasts, from French toast to crepes or huevos rancheros, alongside a cappuccino or first-rate coffee. Or stop in for lunch and dinner; in spite of the name, Sr. Sweets also serves excellent pizza, panini and salads. Don’t forget to try the gelato, or their special sorbet margaritas, while you hang out on the patio and take in the view. Sr. Sweets now offers cakes for all of your special occasions, too, from wedding cakes to birthday cakes not to mention two-for-one beers between 4 pm and 7 pm (and free appetizers). Visit www.senorsweets.com or call 624.105.0102.

QUIVIRA

Quivira Los Cabos is a new, master planned luxury residential resort community spanning over 1,850 acres of rolling foothills on the Pacific side of Land’s End, anchored by the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Holistic Retreat and Spa. The community, a partnership between Pueblo Bonito’s Ernesto Coppel, the Ritz-Carlton, and Jack Nicklaus, unites the best luxury brands, unmatched sunsets and world-class golf, all at the tip of the Baja peninsula. The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton Los Cabos, Quivira are the first and only five star branded, full ownership address in all of Los Cabos, which will be complimented by The Ritz-Carlton landmark oceanfront resort. Jack Nicklaus will debut a community of approximately 200 homes as well. And let’s not forget the two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses that wind along the ultra-exclusive community’s scenic coastline. Where else can you enjoy this kind of privacy and luxury and still be only a mile away from Cabo’s vibrant downtown? For more information, toll free from U.S. 1-866-578-4847 or visit www.quiviraloscabos.com.

RENOVATION : SR. GREENBERG’S

A longtime Cabo favorite (now at Puerto Paraíso and Plaza San Lucas, where Wal-Mart is located), Greenberg’s first floor mall location underwent a renovation in 2008, expanding and updating the interior as the rest of Puerto Paraíso underwent its own renovations. Now, the mall location, with its expansive marina-side patio, diner-like booths and WiFi connection is better than ever. Local design firm Jett Black Interiors gave Greenberg’s a stylish, funky facelift, but the excellent food is the same: a blend of NY style deli favorites and Mexican standards, including a top-notch tortilla soup and great, filling meals for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Credit cards accepted. The mall outpost is open daily 7 am to 10:30 pm. Email srgreenbergs@hotmail.com or call 624.144.3804.

SCOOP SUPPER CLUB & HOTEL

Tucked four blocks up from Puerto Paraiso mall, on Leona Vicario street, is yet another new hotspot. This one caters to those who visit Cabo often and want a change of pace from the tee-shirted masses down at the local watering holes, and emphasizes meeting up with friends, old and new, away from the tourist bustle. Gringo Gazette publisher Carrie Duncan teamed up with partner (and hospitality industry vet) David Flores to create Scoop, a bar and supper club that features top-notch fusion cuisine, from chile-dusted house French fries and mini sliders to sandwiches, beef tenderloin and upscale bar food like baby back ribs. All this is available every day at 5 pm—and the jazzy live music sets, with local favorites like Daline Jones, kick off at 8 pm. Enjoy the bar (upstairs or down), or book the private room for conferences or parties. The best part is, you can spend the night in the heart of Cabo’s downtown in one of the third-floor, $60 hotel rooms.

Each small, spiffy room has its own theme, a private marble bathroom, and all the necessities. All eight rooms share a TV lounge and kitchen area, too, so you can mingle over breakfast the next day and meet more Cabo lovers from near or far. For reservations email patty@scoopcabosanlucas.com or call 624.143.0865. Visit www.scoopcabosanlucas.com for photos, maps and information.

STARBUCKS COFFEE

In recent years, Starbucks has become as ubiquitous in Mexican cities at it is in the States. The renowned coffee brand’s appearance on Cabo’s Marina Boulevard, in the heart of downtown, nestled between Liverpool and the Hard Rock Café, is a sign that our seaside fishing town is finally growing up. So much so that even the ‘Buck’s Mexican employees are hip to the benefits of ordering up a skinny frappuccino—although in Mexico, the drink sizes and details are all in Spanish. Other than that—and a few exciting panini sandwiches unique to the Mexican version of our favorite coffee joint—once you walk in the door, it’s hard to tell what country you’re in. Expect all your favorite espresso based drinks, with a few new flavors, churned out by smiling baristas, not to mention Starbucks goodies from coffee mugs to new music, movies and books. And yes, there are cookies, decadent desserts and event bottled frappuccinos to go. Better still, bring your laptop and settle in one of the comfy chairs downstairs or surf the web (and people watch) from the second floor lounge. Wireless internet for customers, gift cards, and yes, they even take credit cards. Visit www.starbucks.com or call 143-8871 for more information.