LA PALAPA RESTAURANT, PUERTO VALLARTA

The world seems distant. You are surrounded by the calm sea of the Bay of Banderas, the soft sand under your bare feet, and some tiki torches illuminating your table. You can hear the gentle waves crashing just meters from you as you lift your glass to make a toast to your companion in this unforgettable evening.

Dear Traveler,

The seaport of Puerto Vallarta is the other name for romance. Its unequaled natural beauty is present everywhere in this town where the traditional Mexican atmosphere coexists with fancy shopping centers, art galleries, nightclubs, and top class hotels.

What in another time was a fishing town, became a sophisticated city just after Richard Burton and Liz Taylor were here during the shooting of the movie “The Night of the Iguana”. The mountains, the ocean, the deserted beaches and the most romantic sunrises and sunsets they discovered here were probably responsible for the most publicized love affair of that time. They were so in love with the town that they settled there. Like them, many people from every walk of life have made this unique haven their second home…

A place for those who want it all
Award winning international chefs have established literally hundreds of top quality restaurants through Puerto Vallarta, strongly influencing the flavor of the town. The best tastes and flavors from the Mediterranean, Bavaria, France, China, Argentina, or Middle East are present, and have dignified gastronomy in Vallarta into a form of art.

La Palapa is one of the best options for those who are used to having it all. Everardo Robles, Chef and author of many of the dishes served in La Palapa, is a proponent of an original alternative cuisine, consisting in a blend of Mexican and Asian tastes, with a touch of tropical accents. Tequila, panela cheese, mild chipotle or pasilla chili, avocado and other very Mexican ingredients make unusual sauces, dressings and vinaigrettes, which are a constant companion for fish, shrimp or lobster, and beef, pork, chicken or lamb, and derive into completely new flavors. But the delightful cuisine alone is not what sets La Palapa apart from the others…

The most romantic restaurant in the most romantic city
La Palapa is set in Los Muertos Beach, a privileged location in the heart of Vallarta’s Romantic Zone. In the evenings, it buzzes with happy and suntanned couples, whishing to bring to a close a fantastic day in the port with an extraordinary romantic experience.

The friendly hostess welcomes you at the door and escorts you to an enchanting spot. As you walk in, you know instantly that this place couldn’t be farther from the typical simple thatching roof structure we call “palapa”, and that we use in warm and sunny places to relax in a refreshing spot. Instead, it is elegant and stylish. Little white candles in transparent glass goblets or inside oil lamps burn on every table, and a soft lightning embellish the place. Wooden furnishing and chairs, small palms, timber beams and banisters are part of the décor. Everything here evokes nature and the sensual and humid tropic with bronze, terracotta, and seascape tones and shades.

Where exotic is a commonplace
“How about a cocktail while you examine the menu?” the waiter tempts you. The list of options runs to stuff like spinach and jicama salad with tequila lime vinaigrette and panela cheese, the traditional tortilla soup with shrimp, and main courses such as local lobster tails served with a cauliflower purée and Asian pear salad, which adds intrigue to the delicate meat. In Mexico we are blessed to have almost any kind of fruit that, in other lands, are considered precious and exotic. The Chef takes full advantage of this fact, and his creations include ingredients such as tamarind, coconut, passionfruit, and soursop which result in sophisticated and multicolored dishes.

While waiting for the food to be brought to your table, time seems to stop in this unique setting, enhanced by the best musicians playing Latin Jazz music. What may well be an endless conversation is only interrupted by the honk of a cruise crossing the bay, or a spectacular firecracker display over the sea.

The perfect aphrodisiac
After a succulent main dish and a bottle of wine, the desserts will put the final touch of romance. How about miniature puff pastries filled with vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate, or a cheesecake with macademia oreo crust and mangos from the state of Nayarit sautéed in Mexican vanilla? These impeccable morsels combine what are probably the most valuable ingredients Mexican cuisine has contributed to the world and that are now essential for all kinds of pastries and desserts: vanilla and chocolate. Combined with petals of sweet and juicy mango, all of them considered aphrodisiac, makes the perfect dessert for an endless night of love and romance.

It is not only about fine dining, it is a luxury for a few privileged
The unique combination of a casually elegant atmosphere, delicious gourmet cuisine, attentive staff, and live music, all surrounded by the most spectacular view, makes La Palapa a one-of-a-kind place, hard to find anywhere else. You will find it listed in Vallarta Lifestyle’s Platinum Dining Guide, and is a constant participant in the Gourmet Festival celebrated each year.

Additionally, it has earned international recognition and awards in the gastronomic world, including the AAA three diamonds award, and a prize for excellence in the global travel and luxury services sector.

But there’s more… Locals and tourists have determined recently that this restaurant and beach club is the "Most Romantic," "Best Outdoor Dining," and "Best Sunset Dining" restaurant in Puerto Vallarta. A perfect example of this feeling is what Kathy Lipscomb, from Walnut Creek, California, wrote: "I just wanted to say thank you to the wait staff and the chef for a wonderful evening. First and foremost, the food was amazing, impeccable! The staff was very friendly and attentive the entire time, and the view... ah, the view. Needless to say, I can’t wait to return."

If you are in Puerto Vallarta, you too give your significant other memories that will last forever.

Hasta la próxima,
Cesarinna Bustamante

Pulpito 103, Col. Emiliano Zapata. Puerto Vallarta. Reservations: 011-52-322-222-5225 Tel: 52 (322) 222-5225. Fax: 52 (322) 223-0330. web site: http://www.lapalapapv.com/ Info@LaPalapaPV.com