Anyone that knows Ensenada and fine dining has certainly herd of the El Rey Sol Restaurant, known for its outstanding French cuisine and service.
Today we have the privilege to chat with Jean-Loup Bitterlin, owner of the El Rey Sol Restaurant, Posada El Rey Sol Hotel, Casa De Los Siete Patios, Cibola Properties and Villa Bitterlin.
Ensenada.com: Jean-Loup, Thank you for taking time to talk to us. You have quite a bit to cover so bare with me if I get jumping around on topics, trying to cover most of what you do in Ensenada.
Jean-Loup: Thanks for this interview and the opportunity to invite everyone to Ensenada, especially with all the bad press on Tijuana and Rosarito.
It is important to let people know that the violence at the border is primarily involving drug gangs fighting for the control of the drug turf. This is a result in a great part to the Mexican government crackdown on eradicating these gangs that are poisoning so many people.
Many of the heads have been killed or in jail, so others are trying to control, thus the widespread killings and kidnappings. Tourists are unfortunately afraid, something that rarely involves them, but the media has everyone scared. So my message is, come on down, and just like anywhere, travel during the day in stay out of areas where tourists normally won't go, just like in the US.
Ensenada.com: I guess first and foremost, let's talk about El Rey Sol restaurant. Anyone that knows Ensenada at least knows of the El Rey Sol restaurant if they haven't experienced dining there themselves. Tell us about how El Rey Sol got started in Ensenada.
Jean-Loup: The restaurant was founded in 1947 by my mother, "Pepita",
when there were about 10,000 people in town. She was raised in France and loved cooking, so starting a restaurant was possible. French food was very foreign in those days, so she taught many about escargot, lobster thermidor, and every bodies favorite, our French pastries made to this day with 100 year old recipes with the best ingredients.
Ensenada.com: Just standing back for a moment and overlooking the big picture, from your rental properties to your restaurant, it is obvious that up-scale fine design and services is your aim in everything you do. Is this your priority motive?
Jean-Loup: People are always looking for quality, so our focus is that.
As they say in the wine world, life is too short to drink cheap wine, the quality of our life is measured by the quality experiences we live.
Mexico allows us to offer a great product at a great price.
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Ensenada.com: : In addition the restaurant just across the street you have the Posada El Rey Sol Hotel located in the heart of the main tourist area just one block from the harbor. You have suits that all have a different theme to them, each having its own feel and atmosphere. Do you have a designer that creates each theme or is that you're doing?
Jean-Loup: The hotel is a boutique hotel with all different Mexican
decor that I have picked up on my many trips through Mexico. Since I am an architect graduated from USC, I have used my training to create some fun rooms, as I believe when you travel, you should experience new and exciting environments.
Ensenada.com: Casa de los Siete Patios is a facility on the water just north of town where you specialize in organizing complete weddings and accommodate up to ten persons in luxury honeymoon suits. Tells us about your operation and Casa de los Siete Patios and does it really have seven patios?
Jean-Loup: Casa de los Siete Patios really has seven patios and I
designed it while I was still in college. My mother wanted a Mexican home with a central patio and plenty of glass to take advantage of the great ocean views. We have had weddings from 2 to 650 guests. Our wedding packages include a three night stay at the villa, so you are literally having a garden party at your home. Destination weddings are all the rage, so at Casa de los Siete Patios you can have an affordable up scale wedding your guests will never forget.
Ensenada.com: You have your own website called the Ensenada Experience that caters predominantly to tourism. You are also a key figure on Ensenada's board of Tourism. What is on the plan table for Ensenada's tourism industry in the next coming years?
Jean-Loup: As Ensenada's future is unlimited, it is a city with many
gifts, the natural ocean scape, the wine industry, the fishing, the people, the shopping, etc., I for see it to be a great second home and retirement destination. It's geographical location of being just a scenic hour south of the California border makes it very accessible for this market. Now is the time to come and buy, the prices are great, the crime rate unfortunately has been media driven, this is being resolved, so I believe there has never been a better time to come visit, you might stay to live.
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