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PV Restaurants

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Lorilou

Lorilou

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Originally Posted by adeybaby View Post
From our scouting trip:
  • La Palapa: (Puerto Vallarta Fine Dining Restaurant - La Palapa, in the Zona Romática). This restaurant is right on the beach. You can either sit in the covered dining "room" or on the sand. Service was excellent food was TOO DIE FOR. We had the following dishes:
    • Ahi Yellowfin Tuna Tartar with wasabi soy served in a martini glass topped with huichol sauce foam, caviar and chives
    • La Palapa Tortilla Soup - the house favorite!
    • Chiliean Seabass
    • Rack of lamb (neither of entrees are on their website.
    • And, of course, Café Mexicano. This was fun and I would say you have them prepare it on the beach (instead of at the bar). It's really entertaining and they "pour" fire, etc.
    My gripes:
    • I e-mailed through their website beforehand to make a reservation and let them know that we would like to talk about our cena de ensayo. I never heard anything back from them.
    • When we arrived, let the host know that we would like to chat with someone about the RD. They said someone would come to the table. Well, they waited until the VERY end, as in after we paid the bill to finally come over. They said that they were extremely busy, but they could have at least stopped by to ask how the meal was going or say that they would be by later. And not that I was expecting some sort of perks (because a lot of people get married in PV), but some acknowledgment would have been nice!
    All in all, it was a bit on the expensive side (I think we ended up spending almost $200 between the two of us with tip), but well worth the trip. I would definitely check it out if you could. I heard from the Wedding Planner that El Dorado, which is next door, is also really good and more reasonably priced for a RD. We're probably going to have ours (around 50 people) at El Dorado.
  • Boca Bento (Welcome to Restaurant Bocabento in Puerto Vallarta, Zona Romántca): VERY tasty and nice setting. Asian influenced food, which actually works pretty well. Not hokey or too "asian-fusiony" (like PF Chang's or Ruby Foo's in the States can be at times). The food was delicious and again, service impeccable. (This is definitely a trend for restaurant in PV, in general). We had:
    • Pineapple Mahi-Mahi Ceviche / Pineapple in Citrus Juices/ Fresh Ginger / Tortilla Chips
    • Adobo Shrimp / Grilled Pineapple (YUM!) / Sticky Rice / Chimichurri Sauce
    • Chipotle-Honey Glazed Ribs / Peruvian Potato Salad
    • Pomegranate Martini (POTENT!)
    They were the only ones who responded to my online reservation making (the others were La Palapa and Café de Artistes). We didn't end up meeting with anyone because we decided at that point that we really liked the location of La Palapa. Boca Bento just sits in the middle of the street, although the restaurant itself (décor, etc.) is very nice. Prices were very reasonable, entrees between 13 and 20 bucks.
  • Pipi's: (PIPIS Restaurant Bar Puerto Vallarta, above the Malecón in Centro) I know, I can't say it without giggling either. Very friendly service. Guacamole made at your table, "on the house" (on the entertaining side was the watching the people who awkwardly realized that they should tip the server a few pesos). REALLY good fajitas. We had:
    • Fish Fajitas (veggies included peppers, mushrooms and onions, rice and beans, guac/sour cream/salsa)
    • 2 Enchilada, 2 Tacos combo (Chicken enchiladas, crispy fish tacos, plus the fixings)
    • Aztec Soup (otherwise known as tortilla soup)
    • Flan, and just the way I like it. Nice and firm and extra-carmelized on the top.
    • One GIANT mango margarita for me (not easily finished when you've just eaten dinner...be prepared to spend more time here. I was trying to finish up quickly so we could walk around, but paid for it by feeling a bit bloated from the drink!)
    We went for lunch, and it was well priced, but we still ended up spending $60.
  • Barcelona Tapas: (Welcome to BarcelonaTapas.net, up on a hill in Centro). Beautiful view of downtown Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas. It's a mini-hike up the hill. We went up during the day to make reservations and they sent us off with a couple bottles of water. The must encounter winded toursits pretty often! The restaurant is the top two floors of an apartment building (kids were playing in the pool on the first floor!). The kitchen is on the top floor. Again, great and personable service. We had the following:
    • A free sliver of tortilla española (potato, onion omellete)
    • Gambas al ajillo: shrimp cooked in garlicky olive oil (a tapas MUST)
    • Patatas Bravas: Potatoes in garlicky, spicy sauce
    • Spinach: cooked with pine nuts, raisins and pears
    • Lamp Chop: this was the special and a "larger" tapa. Comes with more potatoes and grilled eggplant
    • Tuna carpaccio (SO GOOD)
    • Half a carafe of sangria (perfect for 2, not too much that you can't drive home!)
    • Flan (has an orangey-tang to it. We got it without the raspberry sauce)
    I loved every dish we tried, but I'm a tapa fanatic! This would be our 2nd choice for the RD for the view. Even though the food isn't "local," it is so good that it doesn't matter. Note, though, that they only take Amex or cash (or traveler's cheques). They have coupons on their website if you pay in cash. They also brought us a tequila and cream apertif at the end of the meal.

Other places
  • No name place across from Andale's (Zona Romática): I don't know what it's called, but it's across the street and to the right as you exit Andale's. An American condo owner we met flying in suggested it. We got an order of nachos and flautas and two cokes for around $13. Definitely an anti-hangover place.
  • Didn't have any street food except for Elote: Corn with Cream, Chiles and Cheese. Yum! They sell them on the Malecón for about 15 pesos).
  • Las Palomas (Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Bar - Las Palomas, Malecón), just went here for coffee, but it's a good place for people watching.

Other we wanted to try, but couldn't fit in anymore eating!:
  • Café de Artistes
  • Fajita Repulic
  • Vista Grille (though I heard this was waaay expensive)
  • Trio
  • River Café (looked really cute, on an "island" and under the bridget between centro and Zona Romantica.

Best View: Barcelona Tapas
Best food (starting at the best): La Palapa, Barcelona Tapas, Boca Bento, Pipi's, no-name place, hotel food
Most to least expensive: La Palapa, hotel food, Barcelona Tapa, Boca Bento, Pipi's, no-name place
First choice for RD: El Dorado, 2nd choice: Barcelona Tapas.

I have pictures of the restaurants, too, so hold tight!
so which one did you choose for RD? we were thinking Epoca, anyone been there?
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Yari

Yari

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I am bumping this thread, cause it has great info for PV brides.

 

Also, I just got an email from my FI's parents and they are going to hold the rehearsal dinner at Vista Grill. It sounds quite nice. We wanted it at Barcelona Tapas, but we can't be too picky since we are not picking up the tab.

 

I am actually quite excited about Vista Grill, sounds fancy!

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Celina

Celina

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Ooooh - Vista Grill - Sounds good Yari!

 

We are having our RD at Fajita Republic in Nuevo Vallarta. We had dinner there on our last trip and like someone else said, their seafood fajitas are delicioso! I had the seafood ones and they came with grilled fish, shrimp and lobster, peppers, onions, etc. They were SO good! They were about $15 per order - and were very good. They sell other stuff, just fajitas are their specialty. This wasn't our first choice, but since FMIL is paying - I'm not arguing!

 

Initially Shawn and I were going to have out RD at El Arrayan - downtown. Their food is wonderful. We loved the place. We went there twice. The shrimp aguachile civeche is amazing. Everything we ordered was amazing. They don't have an extensive menu - but everything was great. their website is www.elarrayan.com.mex The staff was so nice and even brought out some toys for our then almost 2 year old son to play with.

 

This time I plan on venturing into Bucieras since we will be staying close by. Any Bucieras recommendations?

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edna

edna

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Originally Posted by SoontobeMrsE View Post
Ooooh - Vista Grill - Sounds good Yari!

We are having our RD at Fajita Republic in Nuevo Vallarta. We had dinner there on our last trip and like someone else said, their seafood fajitas are delicioso! I had the seafood ones and they came with grilled fish, shrimp and lobster, peppers, onions, etc. They were SO good! They were about $15 per order - and were very good. They sell other stuff, just fajitas are their specialty. This wasn't our first choice, but since FMIL is paying - I'm not arguing!

Initially Shawn and I were going to have out RD at El Arrayan - downtown. Their food is wonderful. We loved the place. We went there twice. The shrimp aguachile civeche is amazing. Everything we ordered was amazing. They don't have an extensive menu - but everything was great. their website is www.elarrayan.com.mex The staff was so nice and even brought out some toys for our then almost 2 year old son to play with.

This time I plan on venturing into Bucieras since we will be staying close by. Any Bucieras recommendations?
Celina there is a nice restaurant called Mark's at Bucerias , that is awesome!
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jajajaja

jajajaja

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Celina- I'm jealous!!! I love Fajitia Republic. I tried to set up the WD there in PV, but no one returned my numerous emails! sad.gif I wish I would have just had everyone go there and then paid for the bill afterwards. Would have been cheaper than our WD at our resort. Plus better food!

 

we loved the steak, chicken, shrimp fajitas. We ate there 3 night in a row- haha sick, I know. We loved it that much! AND we stayed at an AI too.

 

Anyways, the set up is gorgeous. I wish we would have had our guests go there!

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Celina

Celina

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Originally Posted by LC_Rachel View Post
Celina- I'm jealous!!! I love Fajitia Republic. I tried to set up the WD there in PV, but no one returned my numerous emails! sad.gif I wish I would have just had everyone go there and then paid for the bill afterwards. Would have been cheaper than our WD at our resort. Plus better food!

we loved the steak, chicken, shrimp fajitas. We ate there 3 night in a row- haha sick, I know. We loved it that much! AND we stayed at an AI too.

Anyways, the set up is gorgeous. I wish we would have had our guests go there!
Oh, thanks Rach!

We ate at the one in Nuevo Vallarta. Don't ask me how to get there, I couldn't see a damn thing! It was dark so I couldn't see anything ( I am night blind) We just showed up and walked into this open aired restaurant that had all of these lights in baskets. The set up was pretty neat. I had the seafood fajitas - and I ate the entire order! OMG - the lobster and veggies were grilled just how I like! I don't even know if FI's mom has the place secured yet. She better get on it! We only have a group of 26 - I hope it works out!
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jajajaja

jajajaja

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Me too. The ambiance there is awesome- like the lighting. Same thing at the PV one. I think it would make for some really great PRO pics. I tried to take pics of it, but it didn't work.

 

I'll post them. :)

 

Click the image to open in full size.

Cool little lights.

 

Click the image to open in full size.

A little to dark for my wimpy camera, but you get the idea.

 

Click the image to open in full size.

Steve enjoying his fajita.

 

Click the image to open in full size.

After we stuffed ourselves.

 

I just think the place is soo cool and totally chill. I love how the tables have paper tablecloths.

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Celina

Celina

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I know - it is kind of dark. I have a few of FI and our son but they were kind of dark. I have one of my daughter but she was passed out at the table. We put a bunch of drinks around her and took pics - she looks like a drunk! Actually, we had hung out at the pool all day and she was exhausted. Here's my pic of my FI and son - you can kind of see my daughter next to him passed out!

Click the image to open in full size.

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Celina

Celina

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Originally Posted by LC_Rachel View Post
Me too. The ambiance there is awesome- like the lighting. Same thing at the PV one. I think it would make for some really great PRO pics. I tried to take pics of it, but it didn't work.

I'll post them. :)

Click the image to open in full size.
Cool little lights.

Click the image to open in full size.
A little to dark for my wimpy camera, but you get the idea.

Click the image to open in full size.
Steve enjoying his fajita.

Click the image to open in full size.
After we stuffed ourselves.

I just think the place is soo cool and totally chill. I love how the tables have paper tablecloths.

Your dress is SO cute!
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