Stone Oven Baked Pizza at Nuestra Cava
TASTY HOME MADE ITALIAN PIZZA IN THE WINE COUNTRY
On quite possibly the hottest day on record, we made our way back into the wine country. As we came over the mountains and arrived to the valley, we were all greeter by a pleasant dry heat. The heat by the ocean was not only brutal, but it was accompanied by a heavy humidity. The valley in the wine country was a much more dry area which felt bearable. This day we were planning on finally stopping at a new roadside restaurant on Mexico 3 the main road through the wine country.
by John Vogel
We had passed this quaint little place a few times, and had always wanted to stop. The outside seemed very inviting with a country store type of look. Recently we had noted the building of a rooftop deck which overlooks the vast fields of grapes all around. On this day that we stopped, we decided it would be best to eat inside in the shade escaping the sweltering sun.
The parking lot is still a work in progress, and there is a place for kids to play at the end of it. The recently built kid’s playground added for some good entertainment to a small child that accompanied us.
As you walk up to the front door, there is also a few table outside on the front porch. From here you can walk through the front door and back in time to what seems like a small rustic home in Italy. A 6 person family style table is located in the front room. As you make your way to the back room, there are 3 or 4 more small tables. There is also an open door to the wood burning adobe pizza oven. Surprisingly this oven does not add heat to the dining area.
The food here is traditional Italian run by Haydee De la Cabada partner and owner. Chef Claudio Omassi who is from Verona, Italy brings a traditional Italian style to the Mexican Wine Country making you question what country you are actually in. The menu consists of handmade pizza cooked in the wood burning oven, handmade pastas, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, salads, and a small dessert menu. They also serve excellent house sangria which was pleasant on this hot day.
We decided to dine family style to go along with the feel of the restaurant. We had two pizzas which were honestly the best pizza I have eaten here in Mexico. We also shared lasagna and eggplant parmesan. The lasagna was very nice meat lasagna.
I personally prefer my lasagna to be creamier, but the rest of the table agreed that this was what they preferred. The eggplant was fresh and done very nicely. We definitely all agreed that we were beyond satisfied, and had maybe indulged a bit too much.
I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone that is looking for nice homemade Italian food on the way through the wine country.
The idea of homemade Italian and the beautiful view of the vineyards really make you feel like you are on a mini vacation to Italy. I think the location and view are ideal for the atmosphere they are trying to create.
The restaurant is only about four months old, but it has already begun to pull in a steady clientele of locals and visitors.
We did not get to try the wine which is made from the owner of the property who owns the adjacent wine fields as well. It is a house red wine, and is something we certainly must try on another visit.
The hours of the restaurant are from Wednesday to Sunday 12PM to 9PM.
