Have you ever heard of the saying, that a good meal is even better than a good date? If you’re a foodie like myself, then you understand the right dining experience is no short of the most bewildering romance. So, in case you’re looking for your next perfect date — with food, wine, and the most mesmerizing atmosphere, here is your chance.
Now through the end of November, you have the opportunity to be transcended through dreamscape with Chef Stephen at his latest pop-up Mexican cuisine experience Entre Sueños, happening at the RLM Studio every Thursday, beginning at 6:30 pm.
Walking into the Dreamscape
Your most romantic date with yourself (or a special someone) begins with a sneak peek at Chef Stephan’s grill setup, followed by a hand-crafted cocktail, awaiting you right after entrance.
With a crystal glass in hand, the first thing I noticed was the interior decor. With a clever combination of warm, earth tones, the dining space was transformed into a surreal dreamscape, designed for the guests to casually hang around wherever they feel comfortable.
When Tradition Meets Identity
The meal began with small appetizers, including a variety of oysters accompanied by ingredients processed in both traditional and innovative ways, such as fermented tomato water, and shaved kombucha ice.
Through his gentle storytelling, Chef Stephen led us through the journey of Baja cuisine. According to him, Baja cooking was essentially a conversation with oneself, a rediscovery of one’s experience and heritage. Therefore, his cooking is ever-evolving, weaving one cultural experience into another, and eventually creating an everlasting dreamscape bringing the diners the most immersive, transcendent experience ever.
Dining Like a Big Family
After the starters, guests gathered around a long dining table lit by candles, going from individual plates to larger, shared main courses, paired with sparkling wine, rose, and red carefully selected to complement each dish.
And we’ve all said this before: food tastes better with good company. Indeed, that is exactly the experience provided to us when the atmosphere became more vibrant deeper into the night where guests exchange fun conversations over the table.
Just like how Chef Stephen said how this dining experience was meant to be enjoyed like a big family, as Baja cuisine is all about communication, interactivity, and cultural exchange.
Get Your Ticket Now
The pop-up series will take place every Thursday thru the end of November. Future pop-ups in the series will include a collaboration dinner with Bar Sotano’s Chef Rish Kuma and Rick Bayless at his lush Bayless Garden.
In addition to the ticketed prix fixe dinners, Sandoval will be hosting Tostada Tuesday at Blind Barber beginning Tuesday, July 20th from 5 p.m. until supplies last.
Tickets for the dinner are $225 and will be available for purchase via Tock https://www.exploretock.com/entresuenos/. Just like what the name Entre Sueños means, this dining experience will take you through the space between dreams, transcending you into an alternative dimension of fantasia, romance, and intimacy.
About Chef Stephen Sandoval
Chef Stephen was raised in San Diego, California where he was influenced by the bountifulness of local produce and sustainable seafood. Stephen was drawn to the robust flavors that originated across the bordering town of Tijuana. In Baja Mexico a new age style was emerging, chefs were cooking with a sense of freedom, integrating diverse cultural and personal influences that go beyond the border. Chef Stephen’s style not only reflects his love for Baja Mexican cuisine but also showcases his time spent working in Spain, San Francisco, New Orleans and Argentina. Stephen puts emphasis on locally sourced, sustainable products and creating a dining experience that tells the story of a traveling Chef. Chef Stephen has worked for highly acclaimed, Michelin-starred and James Beard awarded restaurants in San Francisco, Argentina, Mexico and New Orleans.