Join us every Tuesday for Taco Tuesday @ HdV! Click here for details.
HdV International Nights – Lebanon
Join us for a night of fun as we host our first International Night, featuring the foods of Lebanon! You can read about the cuisine, see the menu and download a reservation form by clicking here.
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SuperBowl XLV
We’re putting the final touched on a SuperBowl Sunday promotion and some really cool specials. Stay tuned for all the info!
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Holiday Hours of Operation
Hacienda de Vega will be OPEN until 3pm on Friday December 24 and will be closing on Christmas Day, December 25.
We will resume normal operating hours on Sunday December 26 through Thursday December 30th. We will be also be OPEN until 3pm on Friday December 31st and then closing for a period of two weeks beginning on Saturday January 1, 2011 in order to perform our annual maintenance and upgrades. We will be back on our regular business hours on Friday January 14, 2011.
We would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas in the company of your loved ones, and a fun-filled and safe New Year’s!
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Dia de los Muertos – A Tribute
Her face is unforgettable and she goes by many names: La Catrina, la Flaca, la Huesuda, la Pelona–Fancy Lady, Skinny, Bony, Baldy. A fixture in Mexican society, she’s not some trendy fashion model, but La Muerte–Death.
Renowned writer Octavio Paz observes that, undaunted by death, the Mexican has no qualms about getting up close and personal with death, noting that he “…chases after it, mocks it, courts it, hugs it, sleeps with it; it is his favorite plaything and his most lasting love.”
Every year, on November 1st (All Saints Day) and 2nd (All Souls Day), something unique takes place in many areas of Mexico: the festivities of The Day of the Dead. While it is strange for most foreigners to accept the fact that “death” and “festivities” can go hand-in-hand, for most Mexicans, the two are intricately entwined. This all stems from the ancient belief that the souls of the dead return each year to visit with their living relatives – to eat, drink and be merry. Just like they did when they were living.
The eve of November 1 is dedicated to infants and children. Traditional offerings include sweet tamales, chocolate, “Pan de Muertos” (a rich coffee cake decorated with figures made to look like bones) and toys. November 2nd is devoted to departed adults. Offerings of all the things enjoyed in life are made for them to enjoy; traditional dishes such as mole and tamales, broths, tequila, and cigarettes. Other symbols include skull-shaped candies and sweets, marizpan and papier maché skeletons and skulls.
At home, members of the family create an altar in honor of their deceased relatives and decorate it with photographs, flowers, candles and all their favorite foods and drinks. A designated area of the home is cleared of its normal furnishings. The arrangement often consists of a table and several overturned wooden crates placed in tiers and covered with clean linens. The offerings are then laid out in an artistic and fairly symmetrical fashion. The spirits of the dead are expected to pay a holiday visit home and should be provided with an enticing repast and adequate sustenance for the journey. Frequently a washbasin and clean hand towel are provided so that visiting souls can freshen up before the feast.
Mexicans still view death as a transition of life, a normal stage in the circle of life on earth, a natural progression, not an ending. Author Victor Landa quoted an old legend: “In our tradition, people die three deaths. The first death is when our bodies cease to function, when our hearts no longer beat of their own accord, when our gaze no longer has depth or weight. The second death comes when our body is lowered into the ground, returned to mother earth, out of sight. The third death, the most definitive death, is when there is no one left alive to remember us”.
This holiday is a perfect example of the complex heritage of the Mexican people. The beliefs of which are based on the complicated blended cultures of their ancestors: the Aztecs, the Maya and the Spanish Invaders, layered with Catholicism.
The celebration of the Day of the Dead is a tribute to those we loved in life. It is a magical ritual that allows the living and the dead to come together through remembrance; for it is the memory of our loved ones that, even in death, keeps them alive in our hearts. The Day of the Dead is a time when Mexican Families remember their dead loved ones and celebrate the continuity of life
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The River Lounge – 1st Anniversary, Halloween Party
It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a whole year since the grand opening of the River Lounge! It seems that just a few weeks ago we were knee-deep in mud and carrying tons of rock into the riverbed!
Officially, the One Year Anniversary of the River Lounge is on October 25 but since it is so close to Halloween, we figured we could combine the two dates and throw a
Great, Big, Howling Halloween Party!
- Ghosts and witches and creatures of fright
- Don’t miss the call of Halloween night
- Come one, come all in the threads of the season
- To miss this bash is an act of treason
- Be here by six and get your fix
- of fun and laughter, costumes and tricks
You can get all the details by clicking here!
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Party Poll
October 25 is the 1yr anniversary of The River Lounge! We are thinking of combining it with Halloween and throwing a huge, great party with costume contest, BIG prizes and specialty drinks! Let us know what you think…
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México’s Bicentennial Celebration
In the early hours of September 15, 1810, father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, accompanied by several conspirators –Allende, Aldama, Jimenez and Doña Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez, began an armed uprising aimed at gaining independence from Spain. At 11:30 on the night of September 15, Father Hidalgo rang the bell of his little town church and called his fellow countrymen to arms to fight for liberty. This was the beginning of the Independence War, which lasted 10 years.
The events that took place on that night in 1810 are commemorated today by the Grito de Independencia (Independence Call), which takes place every 15th day of September at precisely 11:30pm in every Zócalo (main plaza) in every city and every town across Mexico, and is celebrated by Mexicans all over the world.
Streets, houses, buildings and cars are decorated everywhere in the country. On every street corner there are vendors selling flags, balloons, sombreros and rehiletes -shuttlecock, all with the green, white and red, the National Colors.
Flags wave from practically every house and building.
Lighted decorations are set up in every city, the most spectacular being those of the Zócalo, main plaza, in Mexico City. This main plaza of every town and city is the place where the great 16 De Septiembre celebrations take place. People of all ages come to this fiesta, to take part in the collective gaiety!
Food is always a very important part of these festivities. Literarily hundreds of stands are set up several days before and offer the traditional antojitos, most aptly described as a variety of finger foods, Mexican candies, and punch or ponche. Ponche, is a drink made of fruits that are in season: guayabas, sugarcane, raisins and apples, and such a delicious aroma!
During September, Mes de la Patria, “the month of our nation” as it is called in Mexico, restaurants serve traditional Mexican dishes, such as Mole Poblano, Chiles en Nogada, Guacamole and chips.
During the evening of September 15, people start gathering in the zócalo. Many people walk around dressed in typical Mexican dress: men as Charros and women as China Poblanas, or indigenous dresses. Those who don’t own a typical outfit, at least dress find something to wear in the colors of the flag.
Live Mariachi Music bands play to the delight of all present.
The euphoria is collective and all are prepared to shout, yell and make as much noise as possible with fake trumpets, noisemakers and whistles!
As the evening advances, the plaza gradually fills with more and more people; suddenly there is practically no room to move. Excitement and euphoria reach a crescendo at the culminating moment when a government official arrives in the zócalo, at 11:00 P.M. to give the grito or cry of Independence. This ritual recreates the moment in which Father Hidalgo, gathered his followers in Dolores, Guanajuato.
It is customary for Mexico’s President to deliver the grito in Mexico City’s zócalo. It is in this plaza, atop Palacio Nacional, the National Palace -a beautiful colonial building where the President’s offices are located-, that the original bell rung by Hidalgo is placed. And this is the bell that is rung every 16th of September.
The ceremony reaches the high point when the crowd joins in proudly shouting out the names of the heroes of our Independence, to end with the exciting VIVA MÉXICO!
When the grito ceremony ends, the sky lights up with multicolored rockets that shower the hearts of all Mexicans with the pride of knowing that they are a free and independent nation.
Hacienda de Vega Launches New Website
Enhanced resources on haciendadevega.com include online reservations, streaming media, full social media integration
September 8, 2010
ESCONDIDO, CA. – This week, Hacienda de Vega officially announced the launch of their new interactive website, haciendadevega.com. The fully re-designed website combines traditional restaurant-specific information with new interactive features such as a built-in blog, online reservations and full social media integration. The redesign incorporates bold colors and graphics and completely new navigational tools.
In addition to a vast library of images, videos and slideshows showcasing their beautiful grounds and exquisite food, the new website offers users a variety of online tools ranging from maps and directions to event planning.
“Our online visitors will now experience a more vibrant and seamless view of Hacienda de Vega, our location and our food. A true ‘virtual visit’ with great online resources,” says Alonso Vega, General Manager and co-owner. “In a time when everyone is reevaluating what is important to them, we felt that it was critical to provide a more interactive space where we can build a closer relationship with our customers”.
Content Deeper and More Accessible
Among the new features on haciendadevega.com’s homepage is the integration of a full functioning blog and Facebook feed, which allows customers to directly interact with the restaurant and other patrons.
“Experience” provides an in-depth look at Hacienda de Vega’s background, philosophy and Chef’s bio. A slideshow which showcases the beautiful grounds takes visitors on a ‘virtual tour’, while the online reservations provides a quick an easy way to book their next visit. Customers can also easily register their email to receive regular communications such as event invitations, promotions and specials as well as access maps and driving directions to the restaurant.
“Savor” is an interactive look at Hacienda de Vega’s menu with an entire collection of stunning pictures and descriptions of their award winning food.
“Celebrate” guides online visitors through several pages of online resources with a myriad of information about the different areas of Hacienda de Vega, special events and activities happening in real time. A complete collection of private event planning tools and resources is also available with stunning content-rich photo albums, videos and downloadable documents.
Hacienda de Vega’s online resources are as diverse as the visitors who use them.
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About Hacienda de Vega:
Hacienda de Vega is the first Gourmet Mexican Restaurant in San Diego serving the true regional foods of Mexico. Voted Top 10 Mexican Restaurant in San Diego in 2010 by the Union Tribune, and named one of the “Top 50 Hispanic Restaurants in the US” by Hispanic Magazine, Hacienda de Vega is located at the south end of Escondido, in San Diego’s North County Inland, at 2608 S. Escondido Boulevard.
For additional information please visit www.haciendadevega.com or call (760) 738-9804
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We want to know / Poll
We’ve put a lot of planning and very, very long hours to insure that our new website is easy to use, and that all the information you need is presented clearly and is easy to find!
Tell us what you think, we’re open to any and all suggestions!
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Copyright © 2010 Hacienda de Vega.