Loving the Taste of Vallarta |
Season Gteetings
|
My day began with the sounds of “Jingle Bells” wafting through my window. It was December first and I thought- wow! Vallarta is right on-time with the Christmas Spirit! Of course it was being expressed in its own special way… Jingle Bells was actually being “barked” by a group of very talented dogs, followed by “Santa Clause is Coming to Town”- sung by none-other than the famous group, Calvin and The Chipmunks! Feliz Navidad – Mexican style! I thought that I was in for a very festive holiday season!
I don’t know what happened, but the holiday sensations sorta ended there. Then little by little, around the middle  of the month, the town began to show its spirit. Homes, apartments and hotels began to cover themselves in Holiday lights. A Christmas song or two could be heard in the grocery stores and Santa had taken his seat in the Mall. Christmas was on its way!
I always felt that the season didn’t begin until I made my Christmas Cookies. My mom had emailed me the list of cookies she’d be making and when she planned to start her specialty Kolach (a traditional family Christmas breakfast pastry). I really needed a holiday boost, so I thought why not enjoy Vallarta, my current residence and experience a new and different holiday season.
I began my search downtown at the Hotel Rosita. This is the first hotel built in Puerto Vallarta. In 1948 when PV was a small fishing village, Salvador Gonzales saw the future of the town and became the first to offer lodging. The hotel has grown and today is the perfect example of classic Mexican architecture. The dining area is a collection of tables under open arches just yards away from the crashing waves. Poinsettias and piñatas are visible from all angles. Upon entering the hotel, a large terra cotta nativity set awaits the birth of Baby Jesus. There’s also a life-size donkey (for some reason the donkey has always been the star animal in the nativity set) welcoming the guests to the hotel.
 I took a seat under one of the arches and devoured my tortilla soup. It was a small bowl filled with a full bodied broth, crispy tortillas, creamy cheese and the slight hint of chilli that pricked my mouth. This is not a traditional Christmas dish, but it tasted great nonetheless. I inquired about Christmas and how the hotel planned to celebrate. I’d have to wait until the 24th, which is when Mexico celebrates the holiday. Like most Americans, the holiday is spent with family eating at home. However, if you find yourself miles away from home, enjoying your vacation time on the beach, under the sun in Puerto Vallarta; you can participate in the Mexican tradition of the La Letania. Monday night, Christmas Eve, at 7:15pm hotel guests and the public are welcome to gather on both sides of the gate to the Hotel Rosita.
The participants, on the beach, outside the hotel represent Joseph and Mary, the others, on the other side  of the gate, inside the hotel; represent the owners of the barn. Children are in costume bringing the nativity to life and the conversation between the two groups are sung back and forth to one another. The La Letania then turns into the celebration of breaking the piñata and delighting in cups full of ponche. Ponche… I’ve heard a lot about this- apparently it is the traditional holiday beverage. Like our Eggnog, ponche is made both loaded and unloaded and is consumed only around this time. This festive evening at Hotel Rosita is followed by a special Noche Buena dinner menu and live music.
I marked my calendar to return Monday night and made a mental note to find this ponche. My next stop was the Marriott Casa Magna.
 The hotel’s entrance was lined with poinsettias and twinkling lights. We passed a beautiful Christmas tree and more poinsettias. We followed the sounds of the live band and made ourselves comfortable in the Lobby Bar. I asked if they had any special holiday cocktails- no go, then I asked for a glass of ponche (loaded of course)- no chance for that either. The server did tell me that they make their own tequila and that for 150 pesos ($15) I could taste the blanco, reposado and añejo. I was sold. While we awaited our drinks, my date watched as the cigar roller turned Veracruz tobacco into cigars. We quite enjoyed our elegant evening of Cuban and domestic cigars, live music, intense tequila and festive décor.
I still wanted to experience a real Mexican Christmas tradition. Apparently the Westin hosts a Posada every afternoon at 5pm. A Posada was once an opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus, but today it has more or less turned into a Christmas Party. In the more traditional Posada style, there was a piñata, snacks and ponche. The kids took turns hitting the piñata and the adults helped themselves to beautifully displayed tamales, churros, cake and ponche. Classic Mexican holiday music played in the background. Finally! The infamous ponche- at first sip it reminded me of hot apple cider; hot and fruity with a hint of cinnamon. My cup revealed pieces of apple, guava, sugar cane, Jamaica (dried flower) and walnut pieces. It was such a treat to partake in this traditional celebration.
 As I walked past the pool, I thought I might as well see what was going on at Nikki Beach. I asked the bartender if they had any specialty cocktails for the holiday season. He said that a new holiday bar menu would be available in the next few days but that I could try the Ponche tonight. There you go! I now asked whether it was with alcohol or not. “Si Senorita, would you like tequila, rum or brandy?” I asked for the traditional way. As the sun set, I had a warm cup of Ponche con Piquete (Ponche with a Punch!). This particular one in addition to the diced apples and guava had prunes, pears and pecans and brandy. Now there wasn’t a Christmas tree, poinsettia or piñata in sight, but I was revelling in this kicked up Mexican holiday tradition.
Later that night I picked my man up from work. As we walked around, I told him about the other places I had visited, how beautifully decorated they were and how I learned about some Mexican traditions, but for some reason I still didn’t feel in the Christmas spirit. He asked me what it was I thought I was missing. After a few minutes of thought, I replied that I missed baking, cooking and shopping for others. So he immediately sent out a text message inviting all his friends to a party that I would be doing all the baking and cooking for. We then stopped at the Bodega (deli) and he so graciously let me buy him a six pack of Corona and 2 lotto tickets. At the restaurant we ordered tacos and tequila. My spirits were lifting as I planned out the menu for the party and talked about my Christmas cookies. The next thing I knew, three waiters surrounded us as he led them in singing Feliz Navidad!
So there you go- a taco, a beer, tequila and a round of Mexican Christmas carols. I couldn’t stop smiling and I was definitely filled with Christmas cheer. This year it wasn’t the windows at Macy’s or the tree at Rockefeller Center, but it was new, different and I loved it!
Hotel Rosita
901 Diaz Ordaz Downtown
Phone: 223-2000
La Letania –Dec. 24th 7:15 pm
Noche Buena Dinner- Dec. 24th $435.00 pesos pp.
Marriott Casamagna
Paseo de la Marina No. 5 Marina Vallarta
Phone: 226-0000
Lobby Bar: Live Music- Daily 8pm-11pm
Live Cigar Roller- Daily 6:30pm-10:30pm
The Westin
Paseo de la Marina Sur No. 205 marina Vallarta
Phone: 226-1100
Posada – Every day until Dec 26th 5pm till 6pm
Location- outside in front of restaurant
Nikki Beach
Paseo de la Marina Sur No. 205 marina Vallarta [at Westin]
Phone: 226-1100
Holiday Bar Menu Daily- 12 noon to 12am
All locations and events are open to the public. Please call in advance to confirm events
Shani Castri - Sensual Cooking Diva
E-mail: shanicastri@gmail.com
Website: www.appetiteforseduction.com
When it comes to the world of passionate cuisine, Shani Castri, the self-described Sensual Cooking Diva, is a force to be reckoned with. Combining the two things she loves most in life, food and romance, Shani created Appetite for Seduction back in 2004. Her sensual cooking classes began at Sur La Table in Newport Beach, California. An immediate success, this led to classes at the Learning Annex in NYC as well as hosting private events on both the East and West Coasts.
Sponsored by:
Articles
by date |
Current
Weather Report
