Pitahayas

With its Pacific Rim cuisine and tight service, Pitahayas Restaurant deserves the awards it has garnered. Winner of the Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality for 10 years puts it in the same league as the Polo Lounge and NYC's Mr. K's. Chef Volker Romeike never rests on his laurels; he was awarded the "Finest Chefs World Wide" for 2004.

Walking into this oceanfront, open palapa-roofed restaurant, there's a sense of maturity and promise. It's a sensory thing. The aroma of lamb and prawns on the mesquite grill mingle with the sound of the surf.