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OH, SUSANNA!

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/apr/14/22875/

For a fledgling fine dining establishment to succeed in one of Baja’s tourist-oriented coastal towns like Rosarito Beach, it would seem almost mandatory that the ownership would be obliged to procure a prominent location in a high traffic area along with some kind of eye-catching signage that might help provide a good platform to successfully compete against the many already existing restaurants and bars that aggressively vie for a piece of the local tourist dollar.

But, for a skilled restaurateur, word of mouth endorsement is still one of the most valuable and effective types of advertising that can possibly be obtained; the only caveat is that it can never be purchased, it must be diligently earned. As one with unlimited vision, but a limited budget, Suzanne Stehr realized from the very beginning that she would have to build the reputation of her new restaurant, Susanna’s, ‘brick by brick’ upon a solid foundation of innovative recipes, exquisitely fresh ingredients, fine wines and attentive service.

Back in 2004, with over 14 years experience as Director of Catering for several high profile resort properties, Stehr felt that the time had finally come to try her hand at satisfying the sophisticated tastes of diners who embraced the elements of fusion cooking. This is a style that incorporates the basic concepts of California Cuisine, which utilizes only fresh food and rejects using manufactured products; relying primarily upon the essential oils and fats from seeds, nuts and other produce, along with lean, natural sources of protein.

Susanna's also features an underground wine cellar with a 750 bottle capacity. Half of the area is reserved for holding and maturing a wide variety of fine vintages, while the other side of the cava has been converted into an intimate private dining room that seats up to 18 guests.

The restaurant changes its menu twice per year to take advantage of the season’s best fresh fruit and produce as well as updated eating trends. This process usually takes Susanna and her staff about two months. She and her supervisory staff begin with a specific product, then experiment with a variety of preparation styles and blend different ingredients to create a dish that incorporates the flavors, textures and presentation that they are looking for. A written recipe is then generated and the kitchen staff is trained; of course, maintaining consistency and quality is of the utmost importance.

Her open display kitchen contributes to the conviviality of Susanna’s atmosphere. Stehr confides, “I wanted my kitchen to be fully visible to help promote a relaxed interaction between staff and guests within a homelike environment. I was never intending to pack people in, because space and privacy are also important to me.”

But pack them in, she does! Weekends during the summer season are particularly busy, as an ever-growing legion of discerning diners becomes aware of the elegantly inventive upscale cuisine that awaits them at Susanna’s. From their authentic Mediterranean tapenade and warm, freshly baked bread to their delicious appetizers, entrées and desserts, each presentation is lovingly conceived, assembled and presented with adherence to the highest culinary standards.

Although the day to day operation of a successful restaurant can be an extremely challenging endeavor, Susanne Stehr’s basic concept, like her food, remains fresh, simple and straightforward. She concludes, “Susanna's is all about relaxing, enjoying the company you are with and relishing the flavors and textures of fabulous foods and wines while being served by a friendly, accessible staff.”

With a business plan like that, how can you go wrong?

Located inside Pueblo Plaza, Susanna's is situated immediately adjacent to the Plaza’s promenade, just off the sidewalk on the west side of Benito Juarez Boulevard about 3 blocks north of the Rosarito Beach Hotel. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays, but is open all other days between 1pm and 11pm. Reservations can be made by calling 661-613-1187 or via Email at: [email protected]

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/apr/13/22813/

http://livingbaja.wix.com/elpuerto

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San Diego Reader 2024 Music & Arts Issue

Favorite fakers: Baby Bushka, Fleetwood Max, Electric Waste Band, Oceans, Geezer – plus upcoming tribute schedule

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/apr/14/22875/

For a fledgling fine dining establishment to succeed in one of Baja’s tourist-oriented coastal towns like Rosarito Beach, it would seem almost mandatory that the ownership would be obliged to procure a prominent location in a high traffic area along with some kind of eye-catching signage that might help provide a good platform to successfully compete against the many already existing restaurants and bars that aggressively vie for a piece of the local tourist dollar.

But, for a skilled restaurateur, word of mouth endorsement is still one of the most valuable and effective types of advertising that can possibly be obtained; the only caveat is that it can never be purchased, it must be diligently earned. As one with unlimited vision, but a limited budget, Suzanne Stehr realized from the very beginning that she would have to build the reputation of her new restaurant, Susanna’s, ‘brick by brick’ upon a solid foundation of innovative recipes, exquisitely fresh ingredients, fine wines and attentive service.

Back in 2004, with over 14 years experience as Director of Catering for several high profile resort properties, Stehr felt that the time had finally come to try her hand at satisfying the sophisticated tastes of diners who embraced the elements of fusion cooking. This is a style that incorporates the basic concepts of California Cuisine, which utilizes only fresh food and rejects using manufactured products; relying primarily upon the essential oils and fats from seeds, nuts and other produce, along with lean, natural sources of protein.

Susanna's also features an underground wine cellar with a 750 bottle capacity. Half of the area is reserved for holding and maturing a wide variety of fine vintages, while the other side of the cava has been converted into an intimate private dining room that seats up to 18 guests.

The restaurant changes its menu twice per year to take advantage of the season’s best fresh fruit and produce as well as updated eating trends. This process usually takes Susanna and her staff about two months. She and her supervisory staff begin with a specific product, then experiment with a variety of preparation styles and blend different ingredients to create a dish that incorporates the flavors, textures and presentation that they are looking for. A written recipe is then generated and the kitchen staff is trained; of course, maintaining consistency and quality is of the utmost importance.

Her open display kitchen contributes to the conviviality of Susanna’s atmosphere. Stehr confides, “I wanted my kitchen to be fully visible to help promote a relaxed interaction between staff and guests within a homelike environment. I was never intending to pack people in, because space and privacy are also important to me.”

But pack them in, she does! Weekends during the summer season are particularly busy, as an ever-growing legion of discerning diners becomes aware of the elegantly inventive upscale cuisine that awaits them at Susanna’s. From their authentic Mediterranean tapenade and warm, freshly baked bread to their delicious appetizers, entrées and desserts, each presentation is lovingly conceived, assembled and presented with adherence to the highest culinary standards.

Although the day to day operation of a successful restaurant can be an extremely challenging endeavor, Susanne Stehr’s basic concept, like her food, remains fresh, simple and straightforward. She concludes, “Susanna's is all about relaxing, enjoying the company you are with and relishing the flavors and textures of fabulous foods and wines while being served by a friendly, accessible staff.”

With a business plan like that, how can you go wrong?

Located inside Pueblo Plaza, Susanna's is situated immediately adjacent to the Plaza’s promenade, just off the sidewalk on the west side of Benito Juarez Boulevard about 3 blocks north of the Rosarito Beach Hotel. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays, but is open all other days between 1pm and 11pm. Reservations can be made by calling 661-613-1187 or via Email at: [email protected]

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/apr/13/22813/

http://livingbaja.wix.com/elpuerto

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4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
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