Ahhh... Those French! | | by
Anna Reisman - July 22, 2002. |
 Like
good wine that improves with time, La Petite France
has continued to improve ever since it opened a little
over one year ago, when we first visited it. The upstairs
balcony section of the beautiful building that used
to be a high-class disco has been turned into a small
art gallery adjacent to a little salon where meetings
and conferences are held, overlooking the restaurant
below. The two-story high arched windows, the dark wood
ceilings, the unique, subdued lighting enhanced by eclectic
candle arrangements, the immense replicas of Toulouse
Lautrec's best-known works on the walls and the impressive
wood, chrome and mirror octagonal bar in the center
remained the most impressive - and attractive - features
of the restaurant's architecture for a long time. That
changed when owners Ignacio Cadena and Hector Perez
decided to develop the space outside.
A few months ago, they began to work
on the creation of a garden they would simply call "Le
Jardin". The resulting gem - inaugurated in mid-December
- is anything but simple. The variety and volume of
plants they installed there is awesome. Besides an Oriental-style
pool, there are many interesting and original large
wrought iron pieces throughout the place. And there
are gazebos. Airy, secluded, romantic gazebos for those
special encounters with that special someone.
Not enough people are aware of the
fact that every section of La Petite France, the sidewalk
café, the "Jardin" and the elegant
interior are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. So
if you're staying at any of the nearby hotels, or if
you're just passing by, this is definitely the place
to go for a delicious respite, so close and yet so far
from the maddening crowd... The background live piano
music inside and accordion outside make it the kind
of place where time flies without your being aware of
it.
At night, La Petite France transforms
itself into a refined and elegant oasis of barefoot
sophistication. What do we mean by that? That despite
the surroundings, the excellent selection of music both
live and recorded, the warm, attentive and subdued service
you receive there remains unchanged - regardless of
your attire. The quality that best describes it was
perfectly expressed by my neighbor: It is "gracious".
Yes, full of grace. Come as you are, there is no pretence
here. You will most assuredly leave satisfied, relaxed,
sated and pleasantly surprised with the reasonable cost
for such a pleasant experience.
 Ah,
yes, the food. Where to begin? I've returned innumerable
times to La Petite France since it first opened. I have
recommended it to all my visiting friends. I think I've
tried each and every one of their dishes at one time
or another, from all their menus (breakfast, lunch and
dinner), and every time, I'm faced with the same dilemma:
I would like to order a half a dozen appetizers, followed
by a bunch of salads and soups, and then another half-dozen
main courses with side dishes. But I can't, so I don't.
Service usually starts with a little terrine of paté
along with a basket of freshly-made small, thin and
crisp melba toasts, just to nibble on while you ooh
and aah over the menu. The soups - onion, vichyssoise,
shrimp bisque, etc. - are all superb, served in those
typical blue enamel bowls, the kind that French villageois
use in their homes for everything from café au
lait to ragoût... The extensive dinner menu offers
dishes unique in Vallarta such as shrimp mille feuilles,
coq-au-vin, lapin, the famous French cassoulet, etc.
This is supported by other dishes like escargots in
mushroom caps, duck à l'orange, quiches, mousses,
paillard, quenelles, a succulent rack of lamb, a wonderful
creamed spinach side dish, and so on. And then there
are always the undeniable sensual pleasures hidden in
soufflés... As you may be aware, preparing and
serving a soufflé of any kind without it losing
its "lightness of being" is a challenge for
any chef. Well, I always tip my hat to the ones at La
Petite France! Their soufflés are nothing short
of perfect, served in the traditional white terrine
- in an untraditionally large size! - they are melt-in-your-mouth
light and airy, golden brown on top, with just the right
amount of the main ingredient.
The choice of desserts is enough
to put any gourmet gourmand in a quandary: an oh-so-French
cheese platter with fresh fruit, "Poire Belle Hélène",
orange soufflé, chocolate mousse, not to mention
the dessert tray they bring to your table... La Petite
France serves its coffee in a Bodum filter so you know
it's fresh! I could go on and on about all the details,
but I would run out of space. Suffice it to say that
the Petit Déjeuner (breakfast) and Déjeuner
(lunch) menus are just as good! Regardless of how much
or how little you want, there's something delicious
for you there. For Valentine's Day, La Petite France
definitely ranks among the very best, most romantic
places in town for you to spend the evening with your
"media naranja" (other/better half).
Please make your reservations ahead
of time so as not to be disappointed. Just call 293-0900
and get ready for an evening of unadulterated pleasures. pvmomto3@hotmail.com |
Current
Weather Report
