When Mr. GOMET and I were planning our wedding, we knew that, while a few family-friendly concessions would be made for the ceremony and reception, the honeymoon was a different story. Any tension or anxiety we had about pulling off the big day was allayed by knowing we had our eyes on the prize. We didn't want to leave anything to chance, investing thousands of dollars in a gamble that it wouldn't rain, the food would be good (important!), or we would otherwise find our week away merely so-so. As luck would have it, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin pulled off a stunning coup by getting married at San Ysidro in California, then having their own honeymoon at Las Ventanas al Paraiso, without a single public photo existing as evidence of either. Well, we thought, if a stylish pregnant celebrity (and famously choosy eater), and her camera-shy British husband can enjoy a holiday there in peace, it took some of the guesswork out of our decision. We had one of the most spectacular times of our lives, and two years later, returned for a second visit. Although some people say that your honeymoon is special in a way that no other holiday is, we went back to Baja and Ventanas to experience their hospitality and witness a unique and special phenomena. Ok, more than that, participated- each of us being graced with the fortune to touch a gray whale calf that visited our side of our boat (and bearing the stares of the rest of our shipmates, who were not). Our visit was well worth it all over again.
You are probably very confused right now, since you thought you'd be reading about a restaurant in NYC and, instead, are hearing tales of wedded bliss. But there is a connection, or I'm suggesting that one exisits: Pampano and Ventanas are not affiliated in terms of ownership, but they have a very similar vibe- an upscale but laid-back, almost Greek isle (white plaster abounds) look and feel. Delicious drinks and tacos that make you think of rolling waves and starry nights. Pampano's East Side townhouse is a unique venue for Mexican fare- elegant without seeming aloof or fussy, much like the owner, Placido Domingo. He isn't someone people outside the opera world often consider, but when they do, most would be likely to agree he seems uber-cultured and chic, without being Lagerfeld about it. Chances are, the more you're thinking about him, the more cool you're realizing he is.
When we visit Pampano on a warm (but not unbearable) summer night, food and drinks on the second-level outdoor seating feel as close as we can get to our precious holidays. It's more expensive than the average mexican fare, but it isn't average, and the ambience isn't either. Perfect for a romantic evening, or when you want to go luxe-casual and catch a breeze just above the city streets. Check the weather for a dry night and make reservations here
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