Archie's Wok | | by
Anna Reisman - June 18, 2001. |
In
a town where restaurants open and close faster than you can get to know them,
Archie's Wok has been around for over 15 years and its list of loyal customers
just keeps on growing. Moreover, it has a delightful history to tell. John
Huston was the famous Hollywood director who shot "The Night of the Iguana"
here in Puerto Vallarta nearly forty years ago. As a result of the leading man's
(Richard Burton) extra-marital affair with Elizabeth Taylor during the shoot -
and the media's coverage thereof - this town was catapulted to international fame.
In his later years, John Huston - who happened to be a very picky eater - chose
to live in near seclusion in the beautiful area of Las Caletas south of town.
His chef there was Archie Alpenia, the creator of Archie's Wok. This
is not a big restaurant, nor is it ostentatious. You will be warmly welcomed,
whether you are a party of ten dressed to the nines, or a couple coming in off
the street, tired out from a day of serious sightseeing. As
soon as you walk in, you may sense the same feeling of serenity as I do every
time I go there. There's something very soothing about the place. The restaurant
is made up of two distinct areas: the one where the bar and the opening to the
kitchen are located looks out onto Francisca Rodriguez Street, while the second
is set further back, decorated to look more like an Oriental patio. Both areas
are filled with Asian artefacts, wind socks, Buddha statues, etc., and both are
extremely comfortable and pleasant. The last time I went
there - and I've been there often - we got there relatively early in Vallartan
terms. It was only 7:30 and only a couple of tables were occupied. One hour later,
the restaurant was full. As we were four, we were able to order a variety of dishes
so that we could all taste more of the delicate, intriguing flavors they offered. Though
Archie passed away a number of years ago, his wife Cindy and their daughter Kiyoki
have carried on the tradition he started, with the same care to detail as her
beloved husband used to give to the preparation and service of every dish on the
menu. Archie was Filipino-born and the restaurant's menu is based on the cuisine
of the Philippines, with delicate touches of Thai and Chinese. The
ample list of drinks includes some of the best exotic cocktails around such as
Manilla Coolers and Szechuan Martinis, besides all the standard favorites, as
well as aperitifs and cordials from all over the world. Connoisseurs recommend
the Mai Tai Thai and the Szechuan Margarita, but the Mint Rain won out at our
table that night. Every single item on the menu bears
Archie's unique touch, even the simplest dishes are special because of the unusual
ingredients that flavor them, like lemon grass, sesame oil, peanuts, ginger, curry,
and of course - coconut milk! There are starters and pasta (not Italian!), seafood,
poultry and meat, as well as rice and vegetable dishes to satisfy the most demanding
high-class vegan. Another very, very important feature
at Archie's Wok is the presence of the duo "Ensemble" composed of D'Rachel
who sings and plays the flute accompanied by Rigoberto on the guitar. Their music
is nothing short of delightful. They will entertain you from Wednesday to Saturday,
from 8:30 to 11, while you enjoy your favorite dishes. So
as not to end up with a whole page of superlatives, I will just make special mention
of the Chinese sesame cucumbers, the chicken Satay and the "lumpia"
among the appetizers, the "pancit" pasta dish, the fresh filet of mahi-mahi
in the house's very own Teryaki sauce and the barbecued pork riblets. No MSG whatsoever
is used in any dish. Truth be told, we did it again: our
little group had eaten so well and was so sated, that we just couldn't order any
dessert! However, let it be known - from my personal past experience - that Cindy's
"Triple-Chocolate Fudge Brownie" is wonderfully decadent, and her Lime
Cheese Pie has become known all over town. A dinner at
Archie's Wok averages $200. pesos per person not including drinks or tips.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner at 130 Francisca Rodriguez, ½
block from Los Muertos Pier in the Zona Romantica of Olas Altas. Reservations
are recommended. Tel.: 222-0411. pvmomto3@hotmail.com | 
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