Ocean Grill Vallarta Restaurant: Live, Love, Grill.

Restaurant Review: The Ocean Grill Restaurant

Location! Location! Location!

It’s the key phrase in real estate. Does it apply to restaurants, too? Most would say the best business will be had on the main drag: it’s easy to get to, the locations are good, there’s ample parking, street visibility…etc.

Well, here in Mexico things are never quite as simple as they seem. There is always a little twist in the tail/tale, or a convoluted way to get where you are going.

Getting to our restaurant of choice this month is not simple at all. That doesn’t mean the journey there is bad… in this case it’s all part of the experience.

The Ocean Grill Vallarta Restaurant and Beach Club is about a 30-minute drive south of Puerto Vallarta just outside the beautiful little fishing village of Boca de Tomatlan. Then, it’s a five-minute boat ride from the village to the restaurant. Guests can take advantage of a complementary boat service, courtesy of the Ocean Grill.

If you like the ocean, the breeze in your hair, whales and dolphins jumping around you as you cruise to the South side of The Bay… then The Ocean Grill is just your spot! You see, there is NO other way to get there. No cars. No valet. No road. Just the most beautiful ocean approach… and what an approach it is! The mountains, abundant with foliage, rise breathtakingly out of the ocean. There, in a little nook etched out of the verdant hillside, sits a palapa restaurant next to a golden crescent of sandy beach that brings to mind South Pacific, Paradise Lost, Gilligan’s Island, Castaway… ok, so you get the visual.

When you actually make it to the restaurant after a swim-up, climb-up, yacht-up – whatever your mode of transport – you will be so delighted to have embarked on this journey. Alfonso – the owner and our great friend – will give you a personal warm welcome, sit you down with a drink and offer up the menu. You’ll probably also meet Wilson – who most likely will give you a great lick to the back of a thigh or just nuzzle you into blissful contentment.

So, enough about the location. The food is equally spectacular. Seating is by reservation only – no walk/swim-ins here! The fish, meat, and produce are fresh daily and grilled to perfection in front of you on a huge open BBQ. Each dish can be accompanied by a selection of fabulous sauces and garnishes.

We recommend everything on the menu highly but, above all, we absolutely love the grilled octopus. It’s soft in the middle, crispy on the outside and served with a salty, tangy, olive tapenade… we will make the pilgrimage just for the pulpo.

The other DO NOT MISS are the refreshing – almost healthful – house margaritas made with crushed herbs. Really, you’ll think about substituting your morning green juice for one or two of these!

Round out your leisurely lunch (the restaurant is open during daylight hours only) with a wonderful made-in-house dessert, coffee and a tequila shot.

This is what we call the perfect LOCATION.

website www.oceangrillvallarta.com

Note: Ocean Grill is a mature, relaxed dining experience which depends on providing a calm atmosphere for all dining guests. Thus, children under the age of 14 and pets are not allowed.

Bon vivant, gastronome and all-around great guy – Miguel Neves de Carvalho brings you the best of what Punta Mita and the surrounding area have to offer. His passions include polo, horse riding, rugby, cigars and most recently … golf.

Miguel lives in Punta Mita with his youngest son, his fiancée, Lisa, and his two dogs “Tanqueray” and “Tonica”.

He started Punta Mita-Rentals in 2012.

Subscribe to our newsletter for delicious recipes and timely updates about his little corner of paradise.

Photography by Kemi Vernon. See more of her work at www.kemivernonphotography.com