16Good BitesPV’s 18 th International Gourmet Festival Is On!Puerto Vallarta invites you to participate in a culinaryevent unique in its kind, where the intention is to savorsucculent dishes prepared by skilled chefs from around theworld. Some 30 hotels and restaurants in Vallarta put on theirgala best to offer the best haute cuisine in an atmosphere ofelegance. During the Festival, special gourmet full-dinnermenus created by the guest chefs are featured at all theparticipating hotels and restaurants, wine- and food-tastingevents. There are gourmet cooking demonstrations, wine &cheese tastings, gourmet “Dine Arounds” and “Safaris”, aCharity Fair and Chef’s Table menus…For complete information on all the mouth-wateringevents offered at this International Gourmet Festival, pleasevisit www.festivalgourmet.comPuerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit boasts some ofthe world’s most fabulous restaurants. Many commandbreathtaking vistas, capturing warm sultry breezes andthe rhythm of the crashing surf, and offer menus that are aharmony of earth and sea and sky.The International Gourmet Festival showcases the talentsof talented resident chefs and their guest chefs, some of theworld’s most acclaimed culinary stars. Every night for tennights this November, in each participating restaurant, thesechefs’ collaborative culinary brilliance will be showcased,as they offer unique and tantalizing menus for you, theirguests. For an idea of it all, you may want to check outsome of our advertisers’ offerings below. Please check theirads in this issue to make reservations.Coco Tropical is an elegant beachfrontGourmet-Bistro, featuring Swiss cuisine, wherethe unforgettable sunset and the warmth ofMexican hospitality come together. The guestChef for this year’s Festival is Master Chef Frank-Martin Weirich, a talented artist of the culinaryscene who started his apprenticeship at the5-Star Hotel Maritim Park-Hotel in Mannheim,Germany. Hec o n t i n u e dhis career inr e c o g n i z e d5-star hotelsaround Germany,S w i t z e r l a n d ,Isle of Jerseyat the Hotel St.Brelade, and in New Zealand. In 2004, he wasappointed Sous-Chef at the world famous FlüelaHotel in Davos, and the next year, he took overas Executive Chef at the Hotel Römerturm inFilzbach - Switzerland. Since 2009, he hasbeen responsible for the Gourmet Affair ofthe Grandhotel Giessbach, cooking for a veryhighly selective international clientele.El Arrayán opened in 2003 andwas voted “Best Mexican Restaurant”8 years in a row, serving traditionalMexican specialties from differentregions and using local ingredients.El Arrayán’s Guest Chef is RubénAmador Reyes whose theme willbe “Taste of Mexico: Experience &Traditions”. Originally from MexicoCity, Chef Reyes had an early start inMexican cuisine working for the familybusiness. For 17 years as ExecutiveChef at Los Danzantes Restaurant,Mexico City, he has been responsible fornumerous festivals and events there. Hehas participated in gastronomic days atEl Corte Inglés store, Malaga, Spain. Hisculinary expertise and flavors have lefttheir mark in places like El Apapacho,Mexico City, and Lorys in Acapulco.Trio - Restaurant - Bar – Café:Following its opening, Trio quickly becameone of Vallarta’s most highly recommendeddining spots. A cosmopolitan, casual, eleganteatery located in a remodeled townhouse inthe heart of town, with a multi-level restaurant,an open courtyard, a sandstone fountain,colorful paintings, al fresco painted walls,and Tiffany-style windows that reflect thewarm setting for its guests to enjoy good foodand good conversation. Trio has consistentlydelivered top-quality servings of outstandingMediterranean cuisine. Its impressive culinaryexperience is deliciously blended with localfresh ingredients and fine herbs. Trio is a pillarof fine dining in Puerto Vallarta.Guest Chef Juancho Ortiz has chosen “CocinaCaribe” as the theme of his contribution to Trioduring the Festival. Born in Dominican Republicand trained in Brazil, Puerto Rico and Spain,Ortiz is a dynamic speaker on gastronomy onradio and TV programs such as “El Rincónde Juancho”, “Pelando Mango” and “PasiónGourmet” (ontvenlinea.com) and “A cuatrotiempos.” He is recognized for his outstandingcontribution in ANOSAHORES (DominicanRepublic Hotels and Tourism Association) andfounder of the ADOCHEFS association.<strong>SATURDAY</strong> 3<strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>211</strong> | <strong>NOVEMBER</strong> <strong>2012</strong> <strong>FRIDAY</strong> 9
Good Bites 17La Leche ® Almacen Gourmetwas recently named “Best conceptrestaurant in Mexico” by Travel& Leisure magazine. The snowywhite interior of La Leche creates aminimalist atmosphere and a blankcanvas to reflect the diverse colorsof the delicious culinary creations.Chef Alfonso Cadena inherited hislove of cooking from his father, respected Chef Nacho Cadena, ownerof the famous “Petite France”.This year, La Leche welcomes not one, but two Guest Chefs underthe theme of “Obsession & Passion”:- José Ramón Castillo, well known in Mexico and South America asone of the best. His continuous shows on elgourmet.com internationaltelevision have positioned him among the Top Top chefs. Castilloattended the École Ritz-Escoffier in Parisand the Escuela Universitariade Hoteleria y Turismo Sant Pol de Mar in Barcelona, Spain. Named“The Young Chef of Cataluña”.- Elena Reygadas, who graduated in philosophy and letters at theUNAM, and at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan N.Y.She worked with famous Giorgio Locatelli in London, and ownsthe prestigious Rosseta Restaurant in Mexico City; a new top-leverproposal appealing to sophisticated gourmet diners.There’s more to our history than just great flavorsSometimes we all need more than just chips, guacamole and margaritas.Archie’s Wok is your haven for bold and innovative flavors to get youout of that Mexican rut! Since 1986, Archie’s Wok has been legendaryin Banderas Bay for serving-up original cuisine influenced by the exoticflavors of Thailand, China, and the Philippines. Archie’s helped establishthe culinary foundation of Puerto Vallarta and continues to be one of thebay’s most beloved, longtime established restaurants.It all began in 1976 when Archie was asked to become Hollywooddirector John Huston’s private chef at his personal retreat on BanderasBay’s south shore. Only reachable by boat, Las Caletas (The Coves) wasJohn Huston’s rustic jungle villa by the sea.John, always the gracious host: Finally the word was out: John’snew home was ready, and he would receive guests from Hollywood, NewYork and from around the world. Many times, news of a guest’s arrivalwould be at a moment’s notice as John’s assistant in Vallarta would CB amessage that so-and-so was in town and wanted to stop by. John wouldalways ask Archie prior to each guest’s arrival if it would be okay if hewere to invite them for comida. “Okay boss, let’s do it!”… but shoppingin those days was always an adventure. Today, Archie’s family upholdshis legacy of welcoming guests from around the world to partake in thesame delights celebrity guests enjoyed so many years ago.So when you finally say “no more tacos,” head on over to Archie’sWok and discover a world of flavors. Named “Best Asian” in Vallarta forthe past 8 years. Ask about their “gluten-free” options. Open Mondaythrough Saturday from 2 to 11 p.m. The ever-popular d’Rachael continuesto perform classical and contemporary music on harp, flute & vocals eachFriday & Saturday evenings from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Located in Vallarta’sSouth Side at 130 Francisca Rodriguez. You know the street, the one thatmeets the new pier. 222.0411. No reservations needed.<strong>SATURDAY</strong> 3<strong>ISSUE</strong> <strong>211</strong> | <strong>NOVEMBER</strong> <strong>2012</strong> <strong>FRIDAY</strong> 9