March 2016 Restaurant Review
What makes travel so exciting? The new experiences, the local people you meet whilst away, the unfamiliar, embracing new traditions, learning a smattering of another language. There are many reasons we yearn to get away from our own homes.
Hotel Casa de Mita, to me, is like taking a trip to my home-away-from-home.
I, like every other wary traveller who first takes the dusty, bumpy, windy road to this off-the-beaten-track destination, was absolutely fascinated to find out where I was going to end up. I am intrepid of nature – so I was not worried. Particularly so, because My Lisa had not stopped raving about it since I first met her. For the faint-hearted, take heed, you will be VERY happy when you reach your destination!
Casa de Mita, in reality, is not quite a 10-minute car drive away from the gates of Punta Mita… it just seems longer on your fist trip out. It is actually situated on the magnificent Careyeros Beach which can also be accessed through the Kupuri Residents’ Beach Club.
You will not see a sign telling you that you have arrived, but you will instinctively know. Immaculate white walls, terracotta pots overflowing with bougainvillea trees and a magnificent carved and painted front door mark the entrance to your perfect dinner rendezvous.
Once through the front door, you will be blown away by the enchanting entrance. Mexican-tiled steps lead you down to a patio that opens up to a picture-perfect, pristine, white sand beach. This jewel box boutique hotel with its palapa roofs sits back to let you enjoy the views from the dining terrace. Sunset dining here is a must – you will be telling your friends back home about this for weeks and months to come.
If you came away to meet local people, now you will know you have really hit the jackpot. Lalo and his staff of super-friendly waiters will make your dining experience truly memorable. This is also where learning a smattering of a new language comes in. Lalo will explain the nightly, changing menu to you in what amounts to a Spanglish vernacular. You will be informed about dishes that neither you nor anybody else had ever heard about before! Pay attention, the “Sau-zes” are of particular interest, and always most delicious.
The menu is described as Mexican/International and is literally based on what is freshest at the market that morning. It is a set, four-course dinner with either soup or salad as an appetizer. Both are excellent choices, although I have to say that I have eaten some very flavourful soups here.
The main course is usually a choice of red meat, chicken, fish, pasta or vegetarian. Every night, each dish will vary as to the cut and the preparation, the “sau-ze” and the sides. Over the years, I have eaten fantastic New York strips accompanied by Lyonnaise Potatoes, the freshest Tepic shrimp in spicy Mexican salsas with wonderful rice, fillets of great fish in preparations ranging from Asia to Mexico to good old fish’ n chips.
Usually, a choice of two or three desserts will follow, accompanied, if you like, by generous portions of ice cream.
Don’t think that this experience is just about the magnificent view, incredible staff and great food… we have yet to come to the beverage side of things. Generally, Lalo (or whoever is tending bar that night) has a tendency to serve what we call a “stiff” cocktail. You’ll never hear anyone complain that they did not enjoy the creative talent of the bartender at Casa de Mita!
As a footnote, if you would like to rent the whole property – please check out the page for Hotel Casa de Mita on our website.
Bon Appetit! We hope to see you there soon!
Hotel Casa de Mita
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.
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Photography by Kemi Vernon. See more of her work at www.kemivernonphotography.com