February 2016 Restaurant Review
People are always asking me for restaurant recommendations. Maybe because I am always waxing lyrical about food, or because I take hundreds of photos of food (I have photographic documentation of just about every calorie consumed in Peru last year) and because I like to cook.
It is, however, a dangerous business giving recommendations for food… or as I have found out, haircuts! Both of these – non-connected obviously – appear to evoke hours of conversation, opinions, passions and loyalties. I use the word loyalties as often I will return time and time again to a restaurant because I am loyal to one dish, or loyal to the waiter or the view or whatever reason I find to keep returning to a place where others may not.
Although I recommend all the restaurants in Punta Mita, on and off Restaurant Row, I return to just two or three of them regularly. The restaurant we eat at most often is Rosa Mexicano.
Located on Restaurant Row, virtually opposite the taxi stand with “Rosa Mexicano” pink walls. This shade of pink is called Rosa Mexicano.
The restaurant is slightly set back behind a small shop front facing the street. Walk to the left of the shop – Corazón mar – which is owned by our good friend and fashion designer Selene Soucy:
Corazón mar
And you’ll find the restaurant which faces the sea.
Bright, pink walls offer up a rosy glow. But more endearing than the décor or the wonderful ocean view is the warm, heartfelt welcome that we always receive from the staff.
Lupita, who looks like a Mexican doll, is the boss or “jefa” and the unruly wait-staff pay heed to her at all times. Well, almost, except when they are serenading you or playing pranks. They are quite a boisterous bunch here and always seem happy to serve and offer up recommendations.
The Margaritas arrive looking innocuous enough, but then comes the tequila, out of the bottle, into the glass, topped up at the table. These perfectly balanced Margaritas offer up quite a punch – definitely worth trying one or two!
At this point, you should be nicely settled into your table in the sand – the perfect place to enjoy beautiful views of the Marietta Islands and to people-watch on Anclote beach. Sunset is the ideal time to max out the ambience here, but Rosa Mexicano is also one of the few restaurants that stay open later, until 11:00 p.m.
Call me a creature of habit, but I always ask for the Guaco and salsa made table-side. That way, you can add the ingredients to suit your tastes for an app that is nice and spicy, or a milder version if you prefer. The last couple of times we ordered a table-side here, we were treated to an impromptu serenade by our waiter as he ground the salsa.
Rosa Mexicano is best known for its variety of molcajete dishes. These are fun, traditional, memorable dishes to try and great for sharing. They come to the table sizzling and spewing steam: savory concoctions combining pieces of meat, vegetables, shrimp and cheese cooked in their own delicious sauce. Absolutely tender, tasty and wonderful! Served with warm, fresh, hand-made tortillas, salsa and rice – you have all you need for a show stopping, memorable evening.
Other dishes we absolutely cannot live without are the Tampequeña Steak (my son has eaten 4 in the last 10 days). This is a thick flank steak marinated to perfection and served with a variety of starches. We also love the Cochinita Pibil: pulled pork cooked in warm, exotic spices and served in a small molcajete to be eaten with salsa and tortillas.
This restaurant offers up truly Mexican flavours with a modern twist. Large portions, fair prices and a happy staff make it a must-try on your vacation. And, don’t forget that Volcán de chocolate for dessert!
Rosa Mexicano Vallarta
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