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Manuel's Creative Cuisine: Restaurant Reviews

Km. 27.5 Carretera Transpeninsular, San Jose del Cabo 23410, Mexico
52 (624) 144-6171
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Price range: $10 - $65
Cuisines: Latin
Good for: Romance, Large groups, Doing business, Local cuisine, Special occasions, Scenic view, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Reservations, Late Night, Dessert
Restaurant details
Good for: Romance, Large groups, Doing business, Local cuisine, Special occasions, Scenic view, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Reservations, Late Night, Dessert
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203 reviews from our community

93% Recommend
    171
    19
    8
    4
    1
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
There are newer reviews for Manuel's Creative Cuisine
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Vail,CO
Senior Contributor
37 reviews 37 reviews
31 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“WOW! Perfection!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 21, 2012

This was nothing short of a perfect dining experience. The atmosphere is quaint and romantic. The service is impeccable. The food is sublime. The cocktails were creative, delicious and so smooth. Start with the jalapeno margarita or blueberry mojito. The cesar salad was exciting with the additions of corn, sweet cherry tomatoes and avocado, with just a hint of chipotle, served in a fried parmesan shell. We loved the mushroom soup as well, with the drizzle of truffle oil, enhancing the mushroom flavor. The pork had so many flavors going on and melted in my mouth. The lobster lasagna was light and fresh but very rich and flavorful at the same time. Dessert was coconut panna cotta which was the perfect finish. My water glass was kept full, which is uncommon in Mexico, and something I appreciate. Our server, Salvador, was especially attentive as were the other staff who helped him.
Arturo, the chef, was colorful, like a young Salvador Dali, and very professional, yet approachable. You can watch him masterfully create in the open kitchen, which adds to the delight of this restaurant. As we were the only patrons left of the night, Chef Arturo was able to take time to talk with me as he made his own meal of garlicky crabs, which he generously allowed me to taste. I told him he ought to put it on the menu. He would be happy to make you anything you want, I'm sure.
In short, this restaurant is not to be missed. Go and bring all your friends! Can't wait to go back!

  • Visited December 2012
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
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See 8 more reviews by bskinow for San Jose del Cabo
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
San Diego, California
Top Contributor
107 reviews 107 reviews
56 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 46 cities Reviews in 46 cities
45 helpful votes 45 helpful votes
“Artful Dining”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 17, 2012

Wanted to dine here on our vacation after seeing the reviews and photos. We had lunch on the patio overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean. One thing that really impressed me was when the waiter brought a plate which had two small "buttons". He added water to each "button" and it expanded into a refreshing towelette so we could cleanse our hands before starting--a very nice touch!
Then came a complimentary appetizer of a tempura shrimp on a shot glass with cucumber soup.
We ordered the grilled shrimp with mango salsa. Three were served standing up, very dramatic. The caesar salad was tasty and the lobster lasagna in its special sauce was excellent.
This restaurant is located in the "Palmilla Shopping Center", which is across the highway from the Palmilla Resort. Our taxi driver knew where it was but some do not.

  • Visited December 2012
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
    • 4 of 5 stars Food
Was this review helpful? Yes 3
See 8 more reviews by SanDiegoBJ for San Jose del Cabo
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
VANCOUVER
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
14 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
38 helpful votes 38 helpful votes
“Brilliant Meal.”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 15, 2012

Dinner consisted of Cesar Salad myway,Lobster Quesadilas,Lobster Lasagne and Flounder for the main couse.a little Pannacotta for dessert not to mention fabulous custom Margaitas.All were first class and would return in a heartbeat.

Visited December 2012
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Vancouver, BC
Top Contributor
72 reviews 72 reviews
31 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
111 helpful votes 111 helpful votes
“very fresh, creative food with charming service”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 8, 2012

Try to eat here at least once during your stay. Courses are small so order a few per person. We had good drinks, really nice fresh fish, a goat cheese salad is nice start. There were several local lobster dishes on the menu and they were all given a big thumbs up. Service is really great too.
If they offer you insect repellent, use it if seated on the terrace as I woke up covered in bites the next day.
Tasting menu is, for Los Cabos, not a bad value at $45.
Note that this place is in the Shops at Palmilla, which was almost entirely deserted, having only a few tenants so it does not take long to check out the few remaining stores.

  • Visited November 2012
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Calgary, Canada
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
7 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Very good”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 29, 2012

The quality of the food at Manuel's is pretty amazing. the Chef de Cuisine, Arturo, has a penchant for not only quality, but the presentation and creativity is second to none. The blueberry mojito has flavours infused into it that are fantastic. The service is immediate but not overbearing. My only issue is that the tasting menu seems to have been reduced since my last visit a year ago. There were not as many courses, and the portion size was also reduced. Still plenty for dinner, but prior it was truly out of this world. This time around, it left me not 100% satisfied. I'd likely order off the menu next time and forego the tasting menu. It is worth a visit!

  • Visited November 2012
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Atmosphere
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Food
Was this review helpful? Yes 1
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ChefManuel, Owner at Manuel's Creative Cuisine, responded to this review
December 3, 2012
Thank you very much for your review and the most important, your valuable feedback, the tasting menu is the same amount of items, 1 amuse, 3 appetizers, 1 soup, 1 salad, 2 entrees and 3 desserts and the chocolates, the have only reduced is the amount of plates we serve, 5 plates versus 7 in the past, also we reduced the price to $45 USD from $65 USD to encourage our customers to try our tasting menu and sample our cuisine flavors. Many thanks again and we looking forward to have you back at Manuel's. Happy Holidays
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

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